Community Matters

(Community Matters) Congratulations to our dear friends Tony & Carli Martinez. Tony was elected Mayor of Brownsville yesterday.

(Community Matters)  Congratulations to Chris Riley & Laura Morrison. Expected Randi Shade’s runoff, even though not the margin.

(Community Matters)

Today is City Council election day. Polls opened at 7am. Please vote to reelect Randi Shade.

When I spoke to judges on the last day of early voting – their turnout had been very low. Turnout will likely be less than 7% of eligible voters. As we’ve recently been reminded in Donna Howard’s race (which she won by 4 votes) every vote counts.

Why Randi? She’s the best. Seriously, the former UT Student Body President, Harvard Business School grad, high-tech startup entrepreneur, wife, and mom of two young children weighs all perspectives & opinions and makes her decisions based on what’s best for Austin’s long term interests balanced with today’s needs. Randi (and her wife, Dell executive Kayla Shell) is active in their Clarksville neighborhood association and she’s first-hand aware of the need to balance neighborhood and economic development interests. I was especially proud of the balance she struck in supporting the water treatment plant which ensures adequate drinking water for our next 50 years – she simultaneously required substantive progress, metrics and timelines for enhanced water conservation plans.

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(Community Matters) from our friend Evan Loomis at Treehouse

we’re in the market for good people at TreeHouse.  As you know, TreeHouse is a first-of-its kind store that sells smart building materials, while providing education on how these products can save customers money, create healthy living spaces, and are better for the environment.  Once opened in Austin, customers and contractors will have easy access to smart building products, turn-key solutions, and guidance.

Please let me know if you know anyone that might be interested in a the following openings:

• Store Manager and Assistant Store Manager
• Outside Sales Manager
• Department Managers with expertise in smart home technology, kitchens/bath, lighting, hardware, building materials, and flooring.

job descriptions

Evan is launching a well-funded green equivalent to Home Depot/Lowes. They are opening their first store and he’s looking for the best and brightest. Steven and I believe Evan, his investors and his employees will be very successful.

(Community Matters) Mike Bennett hosted tonight’s E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Finalists Reception at his home in the hills of Tuscany, I mean West Austin – seriously, what an abode.

This year’s finalists: Hemi Thaker (Anue Systems, Inc), Gabriel Krajicek (BancVue), Don Shafer (BancVue), Glenn Garland (CLEAResult), Allen Lassiter Gilmer (Drilling Info Inc), Christopher Lavigne (LDR Spine), Hossein Hagigholam (Mamacita’s Restaurant & Cantinc Inc), Phil Miner (Miner Holding Company), Mark McLain & Kevin Cunningham (SailPoint). Social finalists: Lisa Fielder (College Forward), Frank Fernandez (Green Doors), Joyce McDonald (Frameworks Comm Develop) & Suzanne Santos (Sustainable Food Center). The winner of the social entrepreneur award receives a $100,000 grant for their nonprofit – thanks to the Silverton Foundation.

Heaps of friends, fellow judges & former winners in attendance including: Jack McDonald, Paul Hurdlow, Brett Hurt, Laura Kilcrease, Ed Taylor, Bill Morrow, Susan McDowell, Sam Goodner, Margo Weisz, Clayton Christopher, Tina Fernandez, Amy Warnke, Mike Blue, Ricky Richter & Teri Steffek.

The Awards Gala is June 9 at the Austin Hilton.

(Community Matters) I didn’t realize how significant an economic driver a Formula One race track could be.

Last week while presenting on an economic development panel, a colleague discussed its likely economic impact. First, it would draw a lot more races than just Formula One races. Second, many representatives from separate industry clusters have already expressed an unsolicited interest in investing and creating jobs in Austin if we develop this track. And, I was reminded how many corporate relocations follow visits by CEOs, investors and financiers.

Separately, I’ve heard conversations about potential green initiatives being built into the track and its programs. I believe there are serious, substantial initiatives which could further improve Austin’s competitiveness as a regional site for alternative energy startups and investment.

I oppose the cultural opposition to a Formula One track – seriously guys, just because it’s not a attractive past time for some of us, it’s huge for other Central Texans. I haven’t understood the green opposition – emissions from races have gotta be minuscule in comparison to flying all around the world for Audubon excursions – plus I’m told many advances in automobile technology have been fueled by Formula One race car development. As to the investment of State and county monies into infrastructure development – in light of the economic development potential being cited by people I trust, there appears to be a real ROI.

(Community Matters) today in Politico

(Community Matters) just as I’m warming to calls we should take out their nuclear capability and get the hell out:

Mike Allen’s Politico: POPPING ON AIR – Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry, on “Face the Nation”: “I’ve had some early conversations with high level officials of Pakistan. And there’s an indication to me there is an enormous amount of introspection going on … I know for a fact they’re thinking of a government inquiry outside of the military. For the first time there is major criticism in Pakistani papers of the intelligence network and the military in Pakistani papers of the intelligence network and the military in Pakistan. And so, I see this as a time for us to be careful, to be thoughtful, to proceed deliberately but determinately in order to lay on the table the things that we know have to change–the relationship with the ISI, the double dealing, the attitude and frankly wastefulness of resources towards India.” http://bit.ly/jqUKRG

(Community Matters) Agenda: U.S.-Pakistan After bin Laden

The killing of Osama bin Laden has caused U.S.-Pakistani relations to fester. But, as analyst Reva Bhalla explains, the two countries need each other.

Colin: The summary execution of Osama bin Laden is an emotional triumph the United States and other countries touched by al Qaeda. Its manner will doubtless keep media and moralists busy for some time. But the hot debate now is the relationship between the United States and Pakistan, two countries that need each other.

Colin: Welcome to Agenda. And joining me to discuss this is STRATFOR’s senior geopolitical analyst, Reva Bhalla. Reva, Pakistan has very staunchly defended itself against U.S. criticism that it must have known about Osama’s redoubt in Abbottabad. It said it did work in cooperation with U.S. intelligence, and of course it arrested the Bali bomber, Umar Patek in that very same city in January, and presumably interrogated him.

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(Community Matters) In the AAS: Is health program for needy Travis County residents growing too fast?

Central Health is an extraordinary addition to our community’s safety net. It’s no surprise during these economic times that demand has far exceeded expectations.

Public healthcare can’t provide Cadillac services; we have to figure out our Chevy. And, the program must live within a budget. Invite in some of our best and brightest to offer new service delivery, prevention and treatment protocols. (Tommie Meredith & Dr. Bill Rice might be a good start)

(Community Matters)  The Consequentialist: How the Arab Spring Remade Obama’s Foreign Policy – have only skimmed, and it’s an important piece

I disagree with the characterization of the President’s position if this moral theory suggests a belief in the ends justifying the means. Realist might be a better characterization; and, I’m heartened to read about philosophical & idealistic ambitions. They favorably guide objectives as they evolve. Also proud we’re pursuing our interests and spreading our ideological objectives with stealth, modesty and military strength.

(Community Matters) Senate Republicans have locked arms to gut an agency which could actually protect consumers against bankers. I’m wondering if anyone other than bank lobbyists even weighed in on drafting of their demands. Time for another recess appointment, Mr. President