Proposition 3 - single member districts, who voted for it.... (Austin: rental, credit)

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by Komeht

I'm still astounded by the number of people who thought having 7 council members who might give a crap about your issue was somehow worse than having 2/10 council members who might give a crap and 8/10 who definitely do not give a crap.

Oh, but I'm sure all the horse trading that will now be needed to get anything done will be well worth it. Congrats, Austin definitely gets the government it deserves time after time.

I know you are trying really hard to not understand. It is very rare to get a conservative voice on the city council. Therefore the northwest austin conservatives really have had zero representation for their issues. Even though you keep repeating that northwest austin is represented by 7 council members, you are simply wrong. Northwest austin is represented by zero council members. So with this change, instead of zero council members they will have 1.

[ImOnFiya]

Originally Posted by BentBow

When was the last time we had a Conservative, instead of cancerous Progressive's on the city council?

I believe Ronny Reynolds in the late 80s-early 90s. However, the current national praise of Austin in terms of high-tech, music, and the arts stem from the efforts of the post-SOS, "Green Council" of progressive Democrats which took over Austin City Council in the mid 1990s.

[ImOnFiya]

Originally Posted by Austin97

I know you are trying really hard to not understand. It is very rare to get a conservative voice on the city council. Therefore the northwest austin conservatives really have had zero representation for their issues. Even though you keep repeating that northwest austin is represented by 7 council members, you are simply wrong. Northwest austin is represented by zero council members. So with this change, instead of zero council members they will have 1.

You had the same at-large representation that the entire city now has and mostly enjoys and Northwest Austin is still one of the most desired areas to live in Austin with still rising home appreciation rates. For more than 5 years in the 2000s, one Councilmember Brewster McCracken (D) hailed from Northwest Austin until 2009? when he ran for Mayor..

Also, according to recent political surveys of the area, Northwest Austin is now mostly Democratic.

[Trainwreck20]

Since when does the fact that someone live in an area mean that their political leanings match the majority of that area?

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Since when does the fact that someone live in an area mean that their political leanings match the majority of that area?

It absolutely does not predict that as you say - unless they are elected by voters from that area.

[Komeht]

Also, welcome to ward politics where council Members rule their districts like little fiefdoms. Instead of considering the needs of the entire community, each member will now only concern themselves with their district and every other council member will defer to matters within that district. Want a variance, better get in good with the one guy who will absolutely have the final say so. No more majority rule, now it's all about lining the pockets of one guy to get what you need. And if you don't, good luck.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by Komeht

Also, welcome to ward politics where council Members rule their districts like little fiefdoms. Instead of considering the needs of the entire community, each member will now only concern themselves with their district and every other council member will defer to matters within that district. Want a variance, better get in good with the one guy who will absolutely have the final say so. No more majority rule, now it's all about lining the pockets of one guy to get what you need. And if you don't, good luck.

ok this will be my last post since you seem to be repeating your same incorrect points.

members today might be elected at large, but they already only concern themselves with one district - the CBD. So the CBD has 7, everyone else has 0.

[Komeht]

Originally Posted by Austin97

ok this will be my last post since you seem to be repeating your same incorrect points.

members today might be elected at large, but they already only concern themselves with one district - the CBD. So the CBD has 7, everyone else has 0.

Reading comprehension fail.

[ImOnFiya]

If you want to see an early example of the "political circus" that will envelope around the process of creating the 10-1 districts, the first salvo was launched on Tuesday:

To get the ball rolling, an advisory committee met outside City Hall Tuesday to discuss how the plan to change Austin’s City Council will roll out.

The 10 districts will be designed by the Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission which will be composed of 14 members. A city auditor will select the first eight members who will then select the next six.

Mind you, the advisory committee to oversee the 10-1 process is self-appointed. This group of citizens is not affiliated with the stealth, Republican/Libertarian-led 10-1 campaign - whose major donor to promote the campaign was a 21-year old, trust fund conservative, mega-donor John Ramsey who moved to Austin in 2011. Many of the interests groups represented are the democratic-leaning reformists (far-left), ANC (Austin Neighborhoods Council) - the major player in City Council politics besides the Real Estate Council of Austin, and NAACP Austin.

By having a pre-emptive, press conference with local media, these interest groups are trying to place pressure of the City Auditor to select some of their members for the first 8 slots of the redistricting commission. However, my guess is 6 of the 8 will have past ties to city council (through personal appointments to the City Boards and Commissions) to "lead" the newer members - known neighborhood players at council to help safeguard existing council seats. 2 council members (Laura Morrison, Kathie Tovo) used to lead the Austin Neighborhoods Council. 1 council member (Sheryl Cole) has ties to NAACP Austin; and 2 other council members (Bill Spelman, Chris Riley) are well-regarded within the reformist community.

And where are Republicans/Libertarians? Shut out. Is this what John Ramsey paid for he bankrolled 10-1?

[Trainwreck20]

And where are Republicans/Libertarians? Shut out. Is this what John Ramsey paid for he bankrolled 10-1?

Maybe not, but is sure reinforces the need for change, yah?

Plus, final districts have to be DOJ approved.