District 7 Candidate Asks People to Support East Austin Rail

8/3/2014

The Alliance for Public Transportation will meet on Wednesday 8/6 from 11:30-1 pm in the offices of Jackson Walker, 100 Congress, Ste. 1100. This meeting will be the day before the Council's planned vote to set urban rail on the November ballot. In addition to urban rail, Beth Ann Ray will offer a presentation on the Chamber of Commerce's Five-step Plan for improving Austin's mobility.

In addition, the folks with the rail campaign are asking that we submit letters to the Statesman in support of rail. Attached is a document with several sample letters. Please feel free, though, to personalize these letters for yourself or for any group that may submit a letter. It would be great if you could get the letter in before next Wednesday. Having positive letters continue to come in through mid-August will also be helpful.

Please reply if you will be eating lunch with us. We ask for $5 to cover the cost of lunch.

Have a great weekend,

Jeb Boyt
Alliance for Public Transportation

4 Comments

Jeb Boyt link

8/3/2014 03:20:21 am

Please correct this headline. As clearly stated, the e-mail was sent out in my capacity with APT to its members and supporters. People already identified as rail supporters. I did not send this out as a candidate as a broad call for support.

As a candidate, I encourage everyone to continue to evaluate the rail proposal and come to their own decision.

Thank you.

Mary Rudig link

8/3/2014 03:46:10 am

Jeb,

I have two problems with your request:

First, some candidates have decided to continue to serve on boards and in groups during their campaign, while others have chosen to step away from these activities because of any confusion or conflict of interest that may be seen. You have chosen to continue to be part of APT and so you have also chosen to have your activities on behalf of APT viewed as part of your candidate's platform.

Second, we have already had many,many issues with the current City Council trying to hide emails and not follow the open meetings requirements of state law. I understand you are not a City Council member yet, but as a candidate, you should be leading by example. That means being OK with your email communication being open to a wider audience than APT (or any other board you are sitting on).

I hope this clarifies my stance and why I have decided to let this post stand as is.

-Mary Rudig
Editor, North Austin Community Newsletter

Jeb

8/3/2014 04:33:02 am

Mary,

My objection was not so much to the publication of the e-mail as to the misleading headline. I've long been a supporter of the rail project. I am glad to have fostering a discussion of urban rail and other transportation solutions as part of my platform.

In my work at state agencies, I have been responsible for ensuring that many boards comply with the Open Meetings Act and the Public Information Act, and I am fiercely committed to ensuring compliance with their requirements.

Brad

8/3/2014 04:06:25 pm

I would think that residents of Dist. 7 would want to know that Jeb Boyt is a passionate supporter of Project Connect Rail to Highland Mall. Keep pushing that, Jeb.

District 7 Candidate Asks People to Support East Austin Rail

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