If you are in District 3 - please watch this video and then vote against Susana Almanza (Dallas: loan, zoning)

[ImOnFiya]

In the general, Susana Almanza barely edged out her brother Sabino "Pio" Renteria (20 to 18%). The Statesman endorses Almanza, while the Chronicle endorses Renteria. However, the most popular candidate among whites was Jose Valera (whose family owns Tamale House East). He finished at around 16%.

Meanwhile, the runoff early vote just finished Friday 12/12 at a miserable 6.76% county wide, which most likely means the electorate voting was older and whiter. Unfortunately, the district 3 race has become a defacto race war (and family feud) w/ hispanics against gentrification siding w/ Almanza vs. some hispanics and 'whites in a panic' siding w/ her more socially liberal brother Renteria (whose wife is white).

Susana Almanza has received no endorsements from any of the other candidates, while Pio has received support from Valera, District 2 winner Delia Garza, outgoing Mayor Leffingwell and others. With whites coalessing under Pio, I think Renteria should win over 50% of the runoff vote. [In the district 3 general race, Whites already comprised more than 40% of the vote, even though their raw population is about 35% and growing fast in East Casar Chavez, Holly, and Riverside neighborhoods.]

[Austin97]

sounds like they have a good point. The current city council should pass it to the next city council.

[Komeht]

Originally Posted by Austin97

sounds like they have a good point. The current city council should pass it to the next city council.

Which one of the council members do you think was the most racist in making that decision? Sheryl Cole or Mike Martinez?

[ImOnFiya]

Originally Posted by Komeht

Which one of the council members do you think was the most racist in making that decision? Sheryl Cole or Mike Martinez?

What does this have anything to do with Sheryl Cole or Mike Martinez? Susana Almanza, Daniel Llanes and company can't stand Mike Martinez. They consider him a 'sellout' because of his pro-business positions (and his white wife). Sheryl Cole has voted pro-business most of the time and has been a big supporter of urban farms. Most whites can't stand her because she is a black woman who speaks her mind.

Koment, if you're going to go "whole hog" against all of the minorities on (now) old city council, get your facts straight! Otherwise, you too will look foolish..

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by ImOnFiya

Koment... get your facts straight! Otherwise, you too will look foolish..

To late to avoid that.

Obviously there is probably more to the story then we are aware of, but where there is smoke there is fire. You can't usually make people that angry without some justification. It does appear that the folks speaking with Almanza had good reasons to be upset.

My neighborhood would be just as angry if Council was preparing to approve that kind of event facility in our back yards.

[Komeht]

Originally Posted by ImOnFiya

What does this have anything to do with Sheryl Cole or Mike Martinez? Susana Almanza, Daniel Llanes and company can't stand Mike Martinez. They consider him a 'sellout' because of his pro-business positions (and his white wife). Sheryl Cole has voted pro-business most of the time and has been a big supporter of urban farms. Most whites can't stand her because she is a black woman who speaks her mind.

Koment, if you're going to go "whole hog" against all of the minorities on (now) old city council, get your facts straight! Otherwise, you too will look foolish..

Susan Almanza and her posse regularly make the charge at anyone who disagrees with them on any issue is a racist. Defending those tactics makes you look beyond foolish.

[Komeht]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

To late to avoid that.

Obviously there is probably more to the story then we are aware of, but where there is smoke there is fire. You can't usually make people that angry without some justification. It does appear that the folks speaking with Almanza had good reasons to be upset.

My neighborhood would be just as angry if Council was preparing to approve that kind of event facility in our back yards.

Being really angry about something justifies outbursts and making completely baseless and unfounded pointed accusations of racism does it...hmm.

[verybadgnome]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

To late to avoid that.

Obviously there is probably more to the story then we are aware of, but where there is smoke there is fire. You can't usually make people that angry without some justification. It does appear that the folks speaking with Almanza had good reasons to be upset.

My neighborhood would be just as angry if Council was preparing to approve that kind of event facility in our back yards.

I do not know about the laws applicable to this area for this use but......There was no excuse for them to bring race into this discussion, as they had no proof that it had any bearing on the matter. Watching Susana's henchmen reminds me that passion without restraint and civility will just burn bridges and alienate most listeners. PODER/Susana are activists who know nothing about Austin except the little bubble in which they exist. She thinks the new city council will endorse her plan for a city-wide $15/hour minimum wage? She is in for a huge wake up call if elected. Maybe she should also take Econ 101 to examine the effects of such a wage increase. Oh but because the field of Economics is the domain of the oppressors I guess that won't be happening.

As for Cole and Martinez people like Susana will always label them as traitors because they do adult things like compromise instead of throwing tantrums. Just like with certain groups unless you have an uncompromised, purified vision you won't get respect from the devotees and diehards. This is not wisdom but self vindication via extreme positions and confrontation; reality is much more complicated and unsatisfying.

[sojourner77]

Who is the biggest racist on the council? They all seemed to be pointing a finger at Tovo - the NIMBY champion. I don't think it's a race issue, though - it's a s/e issue; always is. If Almanza and PODER keep behaving like a mouthpiece for La Raza, then they are going to alienate their constituency in District 3. The writing is on the wall, that part of town is turning anglo-hipster whether you agree with it or not. She needs to turn down the rhetoric and just try to get into office - her vote on the council is what matters most. She'll have plenty of time to throw bombs once elected, but she will never get there, unless she retains the voters in her district that actually turn out for elections.

[ImOnFiya]

Originally Posted by Komeht

Susan Almanza and her posse regularly make the charge at anyone who disagrees with them on any issue is a racist. Defending those tactics makes you look beyond foolish.

Never said I was defending her. I have only explained the 'beef' they have with Sabino "Pio" Renteria, Mike Martinez, and Sheryl Cole. The charge I have issue with you is connecting former Councilmembers Mike Martinez and Sheryl Cole to Susana Almanza and co. when they have not been political allies for years!