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April 27, 2008
Separating children from moms
Tell us: Should children from the polygamist ranch near Eldorado be separated from their parents during the investigation?
Permalink | Comments (128) | Post your comment Categories: News
April 26, 2008
Austin-Bergstrom airport
Tell us: What do like or hate about the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport?
Permalink | Comments (40) | Post your comment Categories: News
April 19, 2008
PEC spends millions on software company
Tell us what you think about the co-op’s investment in Envision Utility Software Corp.
Permalink | Comments (22) | Post your comment Categories: News
April 15, 2008
New rules for billboards
Some residents fear that new rules would allow billboards to be moved to some scenic roadways. Tell us what you think about the proposals.
Permalink | Comments (336) | Post your comment Categories: News
April 12, 2008
PEC lawsuit settlement
Tell us what you think about the proposed settlement in the member-led lawsuit against Pedernales Electric Cooperative officials.
Permalink | Comments (67) | Post your comment Categories: News
April 11, 2008
What do you think of the county's efforts?
Tell us: What do you think of the county’s efforts to help ex-convicts find work?
Permalink | Comments (22) | Post your comment Categories: News
April 8, 2008
Are higher gas prices putting the squeeze on you?
The Energy Department says gas prices will peak at $3.60 a gallon for regular unleaded in June. This has been revised from an earlier estimate of $3.50 a gallon, and some experts are now saying $4 a gallon is a possibility.
Will this affect your summer vacation plans? Are you already changing your lifestyle because of gas prices?
Permalink | Comments (35) | Post your comment Categories: News
April 7, 2008
Did you feel the quake?
A magnitude 3.7 quake shook an area southeast of San Antonio at 4:51 this morning. Did you feel anything? A 3.7 quake is considered minor or moderate. Have you ever been in a big earthquake?
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
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April 6, 2008
RV park for the homeless
The city is considering lease 10.6 acres in East Austin for a nonprofit group, Mobile Loaves & Fishes, to create an RV park for homeless people.
What do you think of the idea?
Permalink | Comments (88) | Post your comment Categories: News
March 29, 2008
Court upholds smoking ban
Appeals court upholds Austin smoking ban
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated portions of the ban that had been voided by an Austin judge in October 2006.
What do you think?
Permalink | Comments (24) | Post your comment Categories: News
March 18, 2008
Your thoughts on the economy
What’s your take on the economy? Share your thoughts.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment Categories: News
March 15, 2008
Paying retired PEC directors
What do you think of the Pedernales Electric Co-op board’s continuation of pay for retired directors?
Permalink | Comments (48) | Post your comment Categories: News
March 10, 2008
Drugs in the water
What do you think of the Associated Press investigation that found pharmaceutical drugs in the drinking water of 41 million Americans?
Permalink | Comments (44) | Post your comment Categories: News
Getting rid of rats
What is your preferred humane way of getting of rats?
Permalink | Comments (69) | Post your comment Categories: News
March 8, 2008
Bull Creek dog waste
What do you think of the linking of dog waste to the bacteria in Bull Creek and of the city’s push to get owners to clean up after their animals?
Permalink | Comments (44) | Post your comment Categories: News
Taxi service for disabled
Should Capital Metro cut back on the use of taxis by people with disabilities?
Permalink | Comments (31) | Post your comment Categories: News
March 2, 2008
Dog-chain citations
What do you think of the dog-chain citations?
Permalink | Comments (131) | Categories: News
February 29, 2008
How was your early voting experience?
If you voted early this year, how was your experience? Any long lines? Where are the best spots to vote?
Permalink | Comments (55) | Categories: News
February 11, 2008
Did your favorite design win?
Which license plate design did you like best? Are you happy with the winner?
Permalink | Comments (60) | Categories: News
January 29, 2008
Post your video
If you have captured video of the fire, post it on YouTube and then submit the link here in the comments section. We’ll post any reader videos of the fire near Liberty Hill. Be sure to credit yourself in the caption information on YouTube.
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January 28, 2008
State of the Union
What do you think of President Bush’s final State of the Union address?
Permalink | Comments (38) | Categories: News
January 25, 2008
What do you think of the city's changes to the recycling program?
The City of Austin’s Solid Waste Services Department plans to unveil a new program this year that will expand what Austinites can recycle and eliminate the need to sort recycling into multiple bins.
The new program, set to begin in October and be rolled out over three months, replaces the familiar blue bins with 90-gallon carts that can be filled with new items, such as brown medicine bottles and cereal boxes, along with the cans, bottles, jars, paper and cardboard that are currently accepted.
What do you think about these changes?
Permalink | Comments (46) | Categories: News
January 20, 2008
Tell us your health insurance story
If you’re uninsured, why don’t you have health insurance? How has being uninsured affected your life? Where do you get health care?
If you are insured, are you satisfied with the quality and cost of your health care?
Permalink | Comments (59) | Categories: News
January 15, 2008
Will you eat food from cloned animals?
How do you feel about the FDA’s approval of the sale of cloned meat and milk in the United States?
Permalink | Comments (33) | Categories: News
January 7, 2008
Would you let your car do the driving?
GM says cars could be driving you around Central Texas within 10 years — if consumers want it. Using satellites, onboard computers and an array of other technologies, cars could navigate the streets and highways by themselves, and even park on their own.
“Now the question is what does society want to do with it?” said GM’s vice president for research and development.
Would you want a car that takes the wheel?
Permalink | Comments (10) | Categories: News
January 1, 2008
What do you do to reduce waste?
The City of Austin has launched an effort to try to dramatically reduce garbage and boost reuse and recycling within a generation.
The city has hired a California firm, Gary Liss & Associates, to spend six months writing a zero-waste plan: a long-term strategy to reduce to zero the amount of garbage sent to landfills by reusing, recycling and composting materials instead.
What do you do to reduce the amount of your garbage?
Permalink | Comments (41) | Categories: News
November 27, 2007
What do you think of the mayor's actions?
Austin Mayor Will Wynn said he was upset because “thousands” of motorists were inconvenienced on Oct. 11 when a construction truck blocked traffic on West Fifth Street. He said he “spewed a fog of profanity that is still floating down Shoal Creek someplace.”
According to Wynn and tapes from a call to the city’s 311 non-emergency number that were released Monday, the mayor told the construction workers at the Monarch apartments site that they had better be obeying city ordinances, have proper work permits and be insured. He later said he would propose an ordinance that would limit the hours that large trucks could enter parts of downtown, particularly during rush hour.
You can read the full story here.
What are your thoughts?
Permalink | Comments (74) | Categories: News
November 19, 2007
You report on Thanksgiving travel
We want your help in reporting what it’s like out there.
Here’s what we’re looking for:
- Are you flying or driving?
- What’s your destination and how long did your trip take?
- What were the difficulties you faced?
- What’s your favorite place to stop?
- Do you know of any good shortcuts?
Check out the map based on your responses.
Please report about your journey in the comments section below. If possible, give specific areas of problems, including which sections of roads are trouble spots so we can map them.
If you are going to be away from your computer and want to call in a report from the road, please call 512-445-1796.
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November 8, 2007
What you think about the court's decision in favor of Wal-Mart?
In a ruling Thursday, State District Judge Margaret Cooper refused to grant the Allandale Neighborhood Association’s request that she void the site plan for a Wal-Mart Supercenter planned for Northcross Mall.
What do you think of the ruling?
Permalink | Comments (98) | Categories: News
November 5, 2007
Should the state insist hunting be allowed on the Christmas Mountains land?
Land commissioner Jerry Patterson, a longtime proponent of the right to bear arms, said hunting must be allowed on the Christmas Mountains property as a condition of the sale of the 9,269-acre tract adjacent to Big Bend. The National Park Service does not allow loaded firearms in Big Bend National Park, said David Elkowitz a spokesman for Big Bend.
Should hunting be allowed as a condition of the sale?
Permalink | Comments (60) | Categories: News
November 2, 2007
Affected by the haz-mat incident?
Several major roadways in Northwest Austin were shut down this morning because of a hazardous materials spill. Were you affected by the incident? What did you see?
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: News
October 30, 2007
How would you rate Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo's first 100 days on the job?
Permalink | Comments (23) | Categories: News
October 24, 2007
Should Elgin do away with fluoride in the water?
Elgin is considering doing away with fluoride in its water once and for all. Some worry that the cavity fighter may do more harm than good.
What do you think?
Permalink | Comments (27) | Categories: News
October 23, 2007
Should officers be allowed to review tapes before giving statements?
Austin police officers involved in shootings can now view videos from their patrol car cameras before speaking with homicide investigators, a move that Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo said he hopes will prevent such inquiries from stalling and improve the accuracy of officers’ statements.
Police department leaders changed the practice - despite objections from some detectives who review such incidents - after two officers involved in a July 8 shooting of a man refused to provide a written or oral account of what happened until they viewed their videos. Police officials said the officers’ decisions, which were allowed under Texas law but were not standard procedure in Austin, temporarily prevented the investigation from moving forward.
What do you think?
Permalink | Comments (54) | Categories: News
October 18, 2007
Should former BP chief testify?
Lord John Browne, the former chief executive for energy giant BP PLC, hopes to use his corporate leader status to skip lawyers’ questions about the 2005 refinery explosion that killed 15 Texas City workers and injured more than 170.
However, Browne is no longer a BP executive, which ledto a spirited hearing Thursday before the Texas Supreme Court in a case that pits blue-collar workers against the corporate elite.
What do you think?
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: News
October 13, 2007
Capitol hallway tapes
What do you think is on the tapes, and do you think the tapes should be public record?
Permalink | Comments (21) | Categories: News
September 30, 2007
Longhorn economy: Athletics spending is on the rise
The University of Texas athletics department will spend about $210,000 for each of UT’s 511 student-athletes, as detailed in an American-Statesman series.
The department is among the nation’s biggest and best. But as it prepares to spend more than $100 million this year, some ask: Are there limits?
What do you think of the Longhorns’ expanding budget?
Permalink | Comments (42) | Categories: News
September 26, 2007
City may get into parking business
Council Member Brewster McCracken is proposing that the city create a city-owned entity that would build and own parking garages and collect revenue from those built in conjunction with large, primarily private developments. Profits would be dedicated to expanding the city’s trails and transit systems, including a light-rail system downtown. What do you think about the city getting into the parking business?
Permalink | Comments (35) | Categories: News
September 10, 2007
September 11: Six years later
Share your thoughts and opinions on the anniversary of 9/11.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Categories: News
September 7, 2007
Tiny babies
Share your comments on the ‘Tiny babies, fragile families’ stories.
Permalink | Comments (30) | Categories: News
September 5, 2007
What would boost bus ridership?
How could Cap Metro encourage more people to park their private vehicles and use mass transportation to get around Austin?
Permalink | Comments (60) | Categories: News
Did Laura Hall deserve five years?
Do you think Laura Hall deserved a five-year prison term for tampering with evidence in the killing of Jennifer Cave?
Permalink | Comments (35) | Categories: News
September 3, 2007
Redshirting preschoolers
What do you think of the practice of ‘redshirting,’ or holding back, 5-year-olds who their parents think are not ready for school?
Permalink | Comments (65) | Categories: News
September 2, 2007
Auto insurance database
What do you think of the state’s new database to track who has car insurance?
Permalink | Comments (37) | Categories: News
August 27, 2007
THE LONE STAR FUGITIVE TASK FORCE ANNOUNCES THE ARREST OF HOMICIDE SUSPECT PAUL GILBERT DEVOE
Austin - Today the United States Marshals Service sponsored Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) announces that Homicide suspect Paul Devoe was arrested by the United States Marshals Service sponsored New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (NY/NJ RFTF) in Shirley, New York.
On Friday, August 24, 2007, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Marble Falls Police responded to O’Neill’s bar on a “shots fired” call. Found dead at the scene was a man identified as Michael Allred, the bartender. According to witnesses, Devoe had attempted to shoot two different women when Michael Allred heroically intervened and was gunned down. The two women were able to escape at that time.
On Sunday, August 26, 2007, 4 bodies were discovered in a home outside of Austin. Devoe was and is the main suspect at this time in those murders also. Missing from this scene was a vehicle belonging to one of the victims. Numerous law enforcement agencies combined their efforts and it was determined that Devoe may have fled to his home state of New York. The LSFTF contacted the NY/NJ RFTF Sunday for assistance. Task Force members in New York set up surveillance at numerous locations and were able to spot Devoe today at one of the locations. After a brief standoff, Devoe was convinced to surrender. At the time of his arrest, Devoe was in possession of a handgun. A vehicle found in the driveway of the residence where Devoe was arrested had Pennsylvania license plates. A trace was run on the plates and they came back to a woman in Pennsylvania. Authorities in Pennsylvania were contacted and were requested to do a welfare check on the woman. Unfortunately when police arrived, they found her dead.
The United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas LaFayette Collins said, “The unspeakable tragedies that have unfolded over this last weekend are unconscionable. Our condolences go out to the family members who have lost loved ones. I am thankful for the quick and dedicated response by the law enforcement community in taking Devoe in to custody before he was able to commit even more heinous crimes.”
Permalink | Comments (53) | Categories: News
August 26, 2007
Economic development incentives
Tell us: What do you think of the economic development incentives offered by the city?
Permalink | Comments (19) | Categories: News
August 24, 2007
Life-size cutouts of police
Life-size cutouts of police officers have appeared in front of Pflugerville schools recently and will be rotating to different campuses for the next couple of weeks, the police chief says. Tell us what you think about the idea.
Permalink | Comments (26) | Categories: News
August 23, 2007
What do you think of pepper spray being used on Texas Youth Commission inmates?
The Texas Youth Commission has authorized the use of pepper spray against youthful inmates, in violation of a decades-old court order governing operations at the agency. Officials say the directive was aimed at curbing worker’s comp claims arising from restraint holds, but advocates for youthful offenders say it’s a bad ida that won’t solve the underlying problems: too little staff training and lack of discipline.
What do you think of pepper spray being used on Texas Youth Commission inmates?
Permalink | Comments (55) | Categories: News
July 31, 2007
Bibles delivered with newspapers
A Christian ministry wants to deliver custom-designed New Testaments to newspaper subscribers around the country as part of an effort to find innovative ways to spread a Christian message.
New Testaments would be packaged in pouches on the outside of newspapers, much like soap or other sample products.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram announced in May it would deliver more than 200,000 New Testaments the last Sunday of the year.
What do you think about Bibles being delivered with newspapers?
Permalink | Comments (120) | Categories: News
July 2, 2007
Bush commutes Libby sentence
What do you think of President Bush’s decision to commute Scooter Libby’s sentence?
Permalink | Comments (135) | Categories: News
June 15, 2007
Statesman.com readers submitted questions, new police chief answered them
Acevedo answers reader questions
The following is a transcript of the interview held on Friday afternoon:
Plohetski: So this is a question from someone named ‘Real Patriot.’ And ‘Real Patriot’ says, ‘Will you find a way to get the dangerous motorcyclists off the road? Because the current method’ which they say, ‘letting them kill themselves, is freaking the rest of us out.’
Acevedo: Well, motorcycle, motorcycle safety, motorcycle fatalities are on the rise around the nation and it is a, an issue that the federal government and traffic safety experts have been discussing. What I did notice in Texas, and this is probably blasphemous to folks, is that people don’t use helmets. And we in California have a helmet law. Since introducing that law, and bringing [it] in to California, we actually saved lives. But I don’t, I’m not sure that people are actually intentionally killing themselves, and how many of the deaths…We’ll have to study issue there in Texas a lot more before I can say whether or not it’s something we need to explore.
Plohetski: Ok. Good. Thanks. ‘Anonymous 52,’ who wrote into us, wants to know how much money you’ll make as police chief. And then ‘Anonymous 52’ says, ‘If you are so good, why did the CHP let you get away without a counter offer?’
Acevedo: Well, my, in the press release it’s $171,000, I believe, and, 171042. The legislature in California sets the pay for non-representative employees and in California there’s only one appointed commissioner, the Governor. And, so, it’s not a matter of a counter offer. I’m at the point in my life where I wanted a new challenge and a new community and Austin is the place where I really want to spend this part of my life in. So, I’ve been getting a lot of emails from a lot of friends on the higher patrol sad to see me leave, but happy for me and my family because they know this is what I really want.
Plohetski: Good. And then somebody named, ‘M.M.M.’ says ‘Welcome chief.’ ‘M.M.M.’ says, ‘It is high time that we do something about the dangerous and very annoying homeless population in Austin.’ ‘M.M.M.’ says, ‘I have been accosted on numerous occasions. Please let us know, in addition to everything else you have to fix around here, how you will address transients in Austin?’
Acevedo: Well, that’s an issue that came up frequently in terms of advocates for the homeless and I’ve worked on both sides, from both perspectives. We gotta have a balance between human rights and the rights of folks to conduct their business in the city of Austin safely and without being accosted by folks. One (?) to come up, public safety issue, what I’ve done in the past and what my (?) had done in the past is that we’ve had operations to bring in some of the healthcare professionals, mental health professionals, social services, and tried to help the folks in the area. So, when there is an issue, we’re going to need to bring it forward to the department and we’ll take a look at it from a, I think a global perspective with all of our state, city and, if we have to, federal entities to help out, help deal with the problem. In a compassionate manner to be honest with you.
Plohetski: Right. Let’s see. Just a, just a few more. ‘Michael’ wrote in, and he says, ‘It seems as though when something goes wrong, it’s always the police officer’s fault and they are considered guilty until they prove themselves innocent.’ ‘Michael’ says he wants to know if you’re going to ‘stand up for your police officers or send them to the wolves.’
Acevedo: Well, to ‘Michael’ I would say I stand up for the truth, and my job as chief of police is to make sure that we do not leave any stone unturned as we pursue the truth because ultimately the facts are what I’m interested in. I’m not interested in popularity contests. I said this to the community. We’re going to relieve (Vet?) issues. When our officers are right, we’re going to support them and we’re going to support them tooth and nail. But when they are wrong, and that’s, and they make mistakes of the heart or they disregard law and abuse people, we’re going to really hold them accountable because they don’t belong in law enforcement. And, so, if they do their jobs, do it right, and obey the law, I’m going to support them 110%. And if the don’t, I’m going to hold them accountable. It’s a two-edge sword.
Plohetski: ‘G on the East Side’ says, ‘Will your family move here? Do you have children? And will they attend public schools?’
Acevedo: Well, my son is in high school. He’s entering his second year. I have a, I share custody with his mom. And that choice is going to be his. We’ve talked about it. Regardless of where he lives at, he will be spending a lot of time in Austin, probably a couple of weekends a month, at a minimum, and in the summers. And knowing how much he loves music I wouldn’t be surprised if he wanted to live there a majority of the time. My other child is a, well not child, she’s a young woman, 19 year old daughter, Melissa, is just finishing her first year of college and her intentions are to finish her education at the California State Polytechnic University here in Pomona, California. So, yeah, we’re going to move and the question is whether or not Mathew is going to live here full-time or part-time. But we’ll all be together as a family.
Plohetski: Good. Just a few more here.
Acevedo: And your going to type these out?
Plohetski: Yep.
Acevedo: Ok. Great.
Plohetski: Yeah, they’re going to have somebody transcribe them. Uh, let’s see. Someone by the name of ‘Mqqn’ says, ‘First of all, a warm welcome to Austin and I hope you enjoy our community. I believe driver negligence is a cause of accidents and near accidents. And cell phone use while driving is a main player. Would you support a law that bans cell phone use while driving in Austin? Or do you think a public awareness program is a better approach? If you do support a change in the law, could the law actually be enforceable?’
Acevedo: Wow, okay. That’s a multi, that’s a long question, but let’s see if I can address all of them. First of all, what’s the first part of it?
Plohetski: It’s ‘Do you support a law banning cell phone use while your driving?’
Acevedo: Okay. And then inattention was the other one?
Plohetski: Yeah. Well. Yeah.
Acevedo: Well, let me tell you what’s happened here. In California we just passed a law that requires folks, beginning in the next few months, I believe, it’s either an (?) to have hands free systems for their cell phone. I don’t support it on the surface because at some point you can’t legislate everything and it’s very difficult to enforce. There are three things that we do to try to keep people safe and that is we use enforcement, education and engineering and we’ll bring all three of those to Austin and try to keep people alive and without getting injured out of crashes. What I noticed that the use of the word ‘accident,’ there’s no such thing as and accident. Every time cars crash and people get hurt and killed is because somebody was negligent and so the term is really ‘crashes’ and we’re going to do everything we can to avoid them and to reduce them.
Plohetski: Good. Let’s do one more. This one is from ‘Juan’ and ‘Juan’ says, actually let’s do two more. ‘Juan’ says, ‘You seem like a very respectable man who is very concerned about excessive force. Are you a police chief that does not carry a gun?’ So I guess what he’s asking is, will you wear a gun to work and I guess as part of that I’ll throw in my own question. Do you think you’ll come to work in uniform most days? Or how’s that going to go?
Acevedo: Well, the first thing about the gun, we have a departmental policy in most departments requiring you to carry a firearm while on duty. I’m a police officer foremost and if I see a crime I’m required morally and by policy to act. So, 99.9 percent of the time I try to be armed. Just a few weeks ago, while off duty here in California, I had dinner with my wife and my in-laws and my wife’s purse was snatched from the restaurant on a sidewalk café and I actually had to go on a little short foot pursuit to catch a purse-snatcher. So, I try to stay armed as much as possible while on duty as required, and off-duty, many times I don’t carry a firearm.
Plohetski: And do you think you will wear, this is a question, will you wear your uniform to work everyday?
Acevedo: Especially because I am new to the city, I will probably wear a uniform quite often, unless I’m going to a meeting or somewhere else where the most appropriate attire would be business attire. I like to wear the uniform because that helps. It’s a higher presence for the department and it works as a deterrent to crime while I’m walking around in a uniform somewhere. Hopefully people won’t be committing a crime. So, I try to wear it as often as possible as your chief.
Plohetski: Then, and then one more question. This is a question from ‘Christ Dewitt.’ Chris wants to know, ‘Will you policies be in training’ or ‘What will your policies be in training officers around the issues of mental health, in ensuring that people with mental illnesses are connected to the appropriate services rather than just being incarcerated? ’
Acevedo: Well, no one should be incarcerated simply for a mental illness unless they’re a danger to themselves or the public. I know Texas, consistent with California, where you can put a person in a temporary hold for psyche evaluation. And we’ve had to use it here over the years when people are trying to commit suicide and we were able to successfully intervene or running out in the freeway looking for, listening to voices in their head. But the Austin Police Department already has a great program training their officers in mental health crisis. And I’m sure the requirements there for basic training, if their not hopefully we’re going to introduce it, where all officers have to have a minimal standard of training in terms with dealing with the mentally ill. And obviously from a humanistic approach, when we can help as an organization, we’re going to try to help folks as best we can.
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June 6, 2007
Should police and prosecutors release the autopsy report in the shooting death of Kevin Brown by an Austin police officer?
A preliminary autopsy report released Monday said Kevin Brown, 25, died of multiple gunshot wounds but did not say how many or where he was shot. Police investigators and Travis County prosecutors have asked Medical Examiner Dr. David Dolinak to withhold additional information about the autopsy, saying it would hinder the investigation.
Should the final report be made public?
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June 4, 2007
Smart dog
New research is adding to the growing evidence that man’s best friend thinks a lot more than many humans have believed. How smart is your dog?
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Las Manitas forgivable loan
City leaders want to save popular downtown restaurant Las Manitas by offering owners Cynthia and Lidia Perez a $750,000 forgivable loan to renovate and relocate to another space that the restaurateurs own.
What do you think of the offer? Should the city extend the offer to other businesses?
Permalink | Comments (594) | Categories: News
May 26, 2007
Challenging Craddick
Should Speaker of the House Tom Craddick quit?
Permalink | Comments (119) | Categories: News
May 14, 2007
Vertical mixed-use projects
Do you think vertical mixed-use projects enhance or hurt neighborhoods?
Permalink | Comments (16) | Categories: News
May 13, 2007
Postage rate hike
The United States Post Office is raising its rates on Monday. A first-class letter will now cost 41 cents to mail for the first ounce.
Will the rate hike change the way you pay bills, or change the way you send greetings?
Permalink | Comments (10) | Categories: News
May 1, 2007
Should firearms be allowed on campuses?
Gov. Rick Perry and a group of lawmakers who have championed Second Amendment issues say students and faculty members who are licensed by the state to carry firearms should be allowed to take their weapons onto campuses for protection. Is this a good idea?
Permalink | Comments (134) | Categories: News
April 27, 2007
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Share your memories from special events celebrated at Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: News
April 18, 2007
Tubing in San Marcos
What do you think of the San Marcos City Council’s efforts to control tubing on the Comal and Guadalupe rivers?
Permalink | Comments (20) | Categories: News
High court's abortion ruling
The Supreme Court upheld the controversial Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. Did the justices do the right thing?
Permalink | Comments (38) | Categories: News
April 17, 2007
Were you affected by St. Edward's bomb threat?
Were you on campus during the threat? Were you on the way to class? Tell us what you saw and heard. Also, if you have taken photos on campus, upload them here. If you have video, post them to YouTube and then post the link to the video on this page. If you would like to be interviewed for print about your experiences, please send an email with your contact information to gsusswein@statesman.com
Permalink | Comments (33) | Categories: News
April 16, 2007
Do you have connections to Virginia Tech?
Do you have kids going to school there? Did you go there? Do you know anyone who does go there? Let us know.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: News
Virginia Tech shootings
Do you have any thoughts on the tragedy unfolding at Virginia Tech?
Permalink | Comments (36) | Categories: News
April 15, 2007
Pedestrian killed on I-35 frontage road
It is believed that a man, 50 to 60 years old, was walking eastbound Saturday from the median and was crossing the east frontage road in the 5400 block of North I-35, northbound. A Buick sedan was traveling northbound on the east frontage road and struck the pedestrian about 10:05 p.m. The driver and vehicle remained at the scene.
The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene
This case remains under investigation by Vehicular Homicide detectives. This is the 22nd traffic fatality in 2007.
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April 14, 2007
Acquitted but not free
Should parole officials be able to overrule jury verdicts?
Permalink | Comments (20) | Categories: News
Homeland security database
The state has created a homeland security database that reportedly contains information on thousands and perhaps millions of Texans. Tell us what you think.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Categories: News
April 11, 2007
Should Don Imus be fired for comments?
Shock jock Don Imus triggered an uproar on his April 4 show when he referred to the Rutgers women’s basketball team as ‘‘nappy-headed hos.’’ His comments have been widely denounced by civil rights and women’s groups. Should Imus be fired for his offensive remarks?
Permalink | Comments (11) | Categories: News
April 10, 2007
What should happen to Emilio Gonzales?
Tell us what you think.
Permalink | Comments (133) | Categories: News
April 6, 2007
Questions about UT student loans
If you have applied for a student loan at the University of Texas, what was your experience?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: News
April 3, 2007
Should high schools be required to offer Bible classes as electives?
Every high school in Texas would have to offer elective courses based on the Bible under legislation pushed by a key lawmaker. The House Public Education Committee was considering the measure. See the story here. What do you think of the Bible proposal?
Permalink | Comments (126) | Categories: News
March 20, 2007
Should state law on ending life support be changed?
Jerri Ward, lawyer for Catarina Gonzales of Lockhart, argued at a news conference Tuesday that a Texas law that allows doctors to withdraw care for terminally ill patients is unconstitutional. The plight of Gonzales’ son, 16-month-old Emilio, has galvanized liberal and conservative groups, lawmakers and even the parents of Terri Schiavo. Doctors at Children’s Hospital of Austin had planned to switch off the respirator that is breathing for Emilio on Friday, but decided to extend the deadline 18 more days.
Should state law on ending life support be changed?
Permalink | Comments (92) | Categories: News
Are pit bulls dangerous?
Five of the six dogs involved in the attack and death of a Thorndale woman were pit bull mixes. And pit bulls annually top the list as the top breed for dog bites in Central Texas. But is it the breed that is innately dangerous or is it the way they’re handled? What should be done about dangerous dogs?
Permalink | Comments (89) | Categories: News
March 18, 2007
Toll roads
Would you rather have toll roads, higher gas tax or neither? Is there a solution that the Legislature needs to consider but hasn’t? Should the Legislature put a moratorium on agreeing to new toll roads?
Permalink | Comments (78) | Categories: News
March 15, 2007
Should a photo ID be required to vote?
The Texas Republican Party chairwoman says the Legislature must ensure that a photo ID is required at the polls when people vote. What do you think?
Permalink | Comments (18) | Categories: News
What do you think of Sen. Watson's plan to designate Texas 71 a scenic highway?
A rule proposed by Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, would bar new billboards on Texas 71, as it winds through the Hill Country from the west side of Austin up to Llano.
At a hearing Wednesday, critics of billboards said they are a visual blight increasingly common in the state’s rural areas, breaking up views and throbbing with light pollution.
ndustry officials said that the signs channel drivers to small businesses and that billboard construction creates jobs and is a private property right. (Read more about the proposal here)
What do you think of Sen. Watson’s proposal?
Permalink | Comments (91) | Categories: News
March 14, 2007
Should voters decide council members' raises?
The public might get a chance to vote on future salaries of the Austin City Council.
Council Member Mike Martinez wants to change the city charter, the city’s version of a constitution, to require Austin voters to approve council members’ salaries.
Currently, council members vote on their own pay raises.
Should the public vote on a salary formula or a percentage increase?
Permalink | Comments (17) | Categories: News
March 13, 2007
Is Children's Hospital doing the right thing?
On Monday, Children’s Hospital of Austin notified a mother that they will withdraw a respirator from her critically ill baby in 10 days unless another hospital can be found to take him. The mother has fought the Seton-run hospital over the treatment for the 16-month-old boy, who has Leigh’s disease, which a second ethics panel convened by the hospital says is futile. What do you think?
Permalink | Comments (40) | Categories: News
March 7, 2007
Who should have the final say in ending life support treatments?
Doctors and families of terminally ill patients often disagree about end-of-life treatment, but usually they resolve the conflicts. When they don’t, the disputes can be bitter.
Who should have the final say as to whether treatment should continue?
Permalink | Comments (45) | Categories: News
March 6, 2007
What do you think of the designs unveiled for the parking lots under I-35?
A new design for the two parking lots, unveiled at a news conference under the highway Tuesday, aims to lighten up the desolate area and improve pedestrian access. Supporters says the end result is an interesting and effective way to improve safety and connect two communities.
Share your thoughts about the design plans for the parking lots under Interstate-35.
Permalink | Comments (12) | Categories: News
February 28, 2007
Should drunken drivers who kill be charged with murder?
A state district judge in Travis County doesn’t think drunken drivers who kill someone can be charged with murder.
Judge Charlie Baird, a former appeals judge who this year took over the 299th District Court, has thrown out murder indictments against two habitual drunken drivers, saying the law doesn’t allow the charges.
Do you think the law should be changed to make this possible?
Permalink | Comments (105) | Categories: News
February 26, 2007
Bargaining rights
What do you think of the City of Austin’s plan to extend bargaining rights to all city employees?
Permalink | Comments (14) | Categories: News
Intel shell
Though the Intel shell wasn’t flattened, officials said the collapse was a success. Tell us what you think.
Permalink | Comments (23) | Categories: News
February 21, 2007
Should the city privatize the airport?
City of Austin officials are considering leasing out the city’s eight-year-old airport, a transaction that could bring a windfall of several hundred million dollars but would also put control of a key city service in private hands. (Read more here.)
Do you think this is a good idea? Should the city consider privatizing the airport? Should the City Council or the voters decide?
Permalink | Comments (45) | Categories: News
February 14, 2007
License plate rules could cause trouble for motorists
Texans who cover even a small portion of their license plate can be stopped by police, ticketed and perhaps arrested for the offense, the state’s highest court ruled Wednesday. The 8-1 decision left three judges holding their noses - proclaiming the statute “uncommonly bad” but acknowledging that the letter of law prohibits drivers from encasing their license plate in a frame that obscures the state name, state nickname or even portions of the design.
What do you make of the decision?
Permalink | Comments (116) | Categories: News
February 8, 2007
What do you think about a daily Physical Education class?
State Sen. Jane Nelson, a Lewisville Republican who once taught sixth grade, remembers that when her students came back from physical education, they were alert and ready to learn.
A legislative proposal Nelson filed Thursday would mandate at least 30 minutes a day of “moderate or vigorous” physical activity for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Recess wouldn’t count. The plan would also require twice-a-year physical fitness assessments for students in grades K-12.
What do you think of the proposal?
Permalink | Comments (82) | Categories: News
February 7, 2007
What do you think of the mayor's plan to make Austin a zero-emissions city?
Austin plans to eliminate almost all carbon dioxide emissions from city operations by 2020, Mayor Will Wynn announced Wednesday.
He unveiled an aggressive and challenging climate protection plan that includes increased dependence upon renewable energy sources, improved energy conservation and efficiency and a citywide reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
What do you think of his plan?
Permalink | Comments (56) | Categories: News
Do you think school vouchers are a good idea?
San Antonio businessman James Leininger, who has spent millions of dollars on Texas political campaigns, said Tuesday that the 2,000 students in the private school voucher programs he personally bankrolls will be “out on the street” if the Legislature does not approve a publicly funded voucher plan this year.
Do you think school vouchers are a good idea?
Permalink | Comments (73) | Categories: News
February 6, 2007
Should the shell be saved?
The unfinished Intel building downtown will be imploded early Sunday, Feb. 25. Mayor Will Wynn and other city leaders have launched an eleventh-hour campaign to save the skeleton, saying there may be a better use for it.
Should the shell be saved?
Permalink | Comments (52) | Categories: News
February 3, 2007
Vaccination for schoolgirls
Gov. Rick Perry has issued an executive order calling for all girls entering sixth grade in Texas, starting in September 2008, to receive a vaccine against a sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer. The market cost of the vaccine, Gardasil, is $360 for the three-dose series. What do you think of Perry’s order?
Permalink | Comments (156) | Categories: News
January 31, 2007
Are perks OK?
The Austin City Council members get free parking at the airport. Statewide elected officials and all state legislators — and their spouses — get free parking at the airport, free use of city pools, free parking at city parking meters and free golf tee times. Should these officials be charged?
Permalink | Comments (75) | Categories: News
January 30, 2007
Do you think Colton Pitonyak's sentence was fair?
Colton Pitonyak was convicted of murdering Jennifer Cave and sentenced to 55 years in prison. Do you think his sentence was fair?
Permalink | Comments (72) | Categories: News
January 22, 2007
Sewer line repairs or fine
The City Council will vote on an ordinance requiring as many as 10,000 Austin homeowners to pay to fix old sewer lines in the next few years or face a fine of up to $500. Tell us what you think.
Permalink | Comments (48) | Categories: News
January 3, 2007
Paying for tolls
The Texas Department of Transportation unveiled Wednesday a third method — open-road tolling — for paying tolls. How do you plan to pay for tolls?
Here are the options:
Cash: Drivers would stop at booths on some entrance and exits ramps and, at certain points in the run of the tollways, would have to pause at toll plazas to pay charges. The cash charges — 50 cents at most ramps and 75 cents to $1.50 for the mainlane plazas — are considered the basic toll rates.
Toll tags: Motorists can get a prepaid toll tag and affix it to their windshield. With a tag, which communicates with overhead detectors, drivers can remain on the main lanes of the tollways at full speed and can enter or exit on toll ramps without stopping at a booth. Cars with toll tags will not be subject to tolls until February, when they will pay 50 percent of the basic toll rates. Then, in March, toll tag users will begin to pay their permanent rate, which is 90 percent of the cash toll rate.
Open-road tolls: Cars without a toll tag can still stay on the main lanes or avoid ramp booths, but will pay a surcharge of about 33 percent over the basic cash price. Overhead cameras at toll plazas will record a car’s license plate number and the owner will be mailed a monthly invoice with the charges.
Permalink | Comments (74) | Categories: News
December 28, 2006
Has the increasing price of cigarettes made you consider quitting?
Smokers are stocking up on cartons of cigarettes before the $1 tax hike goes into effect Jan. 1.
Has the increase in price made you consider quitting altogether?
Permalink | Comments (62) | Categories: News
Would you serve or eat food from cloned animals?
Would you be willing to eat food cloned animals or serve it to your family? Should foods from cloned animals have special labels?
Permalink | Comments (22) | Categories: News
December 25, 2006
Have you ever tried to set an eating record? Participated in an eating contest?
A handful of big eaters have traveled to Pancho and Lefty’s in northeast Williamson County to try downing the Big Kahuna burger, including one who held a world record in tamale eating. All have failed.
Have you tried the Big Kahuna? Have you ever tried to set an eating record? Participated in an eating contest?
Permalink | Comments (11) | Categories: News
December 21, 2006
Congress Avenue retailer fund
Should the city create a fund to support and attract retailers to Congress Avenue?
Permalink | Comments (17) | Categories: News
December 19, 2006
Should Texas allow casino gambling? Where should the proceeds go?
Should Texas allow casino gambling? Where should the proceeds go? Schools? Health care? Roads? Something else?
Permalink | Comments (111) | Categories: News
Share your eyewitness account
Did you see this morning’s single-engine private plane crash near Connally High School in Pflugerville? Let us know what’s going on at the scene.
Click here to share your photos.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: News
December 18, 2006
Are you done with your holiday shopping?
The day that falls one week before Christmas is traditionally the busiest day of the year for the Postal Service. Did you beat the rush? Are you done with your holiday shopping? Or did you get caught in line? How long did you have to wait?
Permalink | | Categories: News
December 16, 2006
Sex offender registry
What do you think of the state of the Police Department’s sex offender registry?
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: News
December 13, 2006
Is Wal-Mart a good fit at Northcross Mall?
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. will suspend plans for a new Austin store for 60 days to talk with concerned neighborhoods.
The national retailer wants to redevelop part of Northcross Mall into a 217,000-square-foot, 24-hour supercenter. A coalition of neighbors is fighting the project.
Is Wal-Mart a good fit at Northcross Mall? If not, what should take its place?
Permalink | Comments (111) | Categories: News
December 11, 2006
Have you ever been the recipient of a Good Samaritan's act?
Nancy Varnum, who works as a checkout person at the Central Market in South Austin, would like to meet the nice man who paid her expensive car repair bill.
Have you ever been the recipient of a Good Samaritan’s act?
Permalink | Comments (8) | Categories: News
December 10, 2006
Water plant site
Several City Council members, including Mayor Will Wynn, say they want Travis County to reconsider a site called Cortana that the city favored but county commissioners rejected in October. Where do you think the water plant should go?
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: News
December 6, 2006
Should trans fat be banned in Central Texas?
New York City health officials approved a ban on artificial trans fatty acids in thousands of restaurants, making New York the nation’s first city to outlaw the ingredient linked to heart disease and other illnesses. Should cities in Central Texas follow suit?
Permalink | Comments (13) | Categories: News
November 26, 2006
Big Mother is watching
What do you think of the Austin schools’ program that lets parents monitor their kids’ grades and attendance?
Permalink | Comments (17) | Categories: News
November 22, 2006
Do you have any last minute Thanksgiving scrambling?
Share your Thanksgiving last-minute scramble story.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: News
November 20, 2006
Share your holiday air travel tips
The holiday season is here and with that comes shuttling back and forth between relatives and loved ones. Share your tips on how to survive holiday travel.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: News
November 19, 2006
Affordable housing downtown
Should the City of Austin do more to ensure that there is more affordable housing downtown?
Permalink | Comments (24) | Categories: News
November 18, 2006
Detour for Farmers Market
Tell us what you think about the plan to close part of Cesar Chavez Street for the Farmers Market.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Categories: News
November 15, 2006
Are there other landmarks that should be renamed for Ann Richards?
A downtown Austin landmark will soon bear the name of a Texas political legend.
The Austin City Council on Thursday plans to name the Congress Avenue Bridge after the late Ann Richards, the quick-witted former governor and Travis County commissioner.
Are there other landmarks that should be renamed for Ann Richards?
Permalink | Comments (44) | Categories: News
What are (or were) your favorite places to shop on the Drag?
In January, owner Jeanette Nassour is closing both her Cadeau stores — one on the part of Guadalupe Street near the University of Texas known as the Drag, the other at Central Park on North Lamar Boulevard.
It marks the end of an era on the UT Drag, where the Cadeau is the last retail business that remains from the 1950s and ’60s, when the Drag was a vibrant shopping destination. Generations of students who shopped at the store have remained customers ever since.
What are (or were) your favorite places to shop on the Drag? What long-gone Drag business do you miss most?
Permalink | Comments (76) | Categories: News
November 14, 2006
What's better: Denser development in the central city or affordable housing?
On Thursday, the City Council will choose between denser development in the central and affordable housing in a zoning case that’s riling the Zilker neighborhood. A development firm wants to tear down an apartment complex of 140 low-cost units on South Lamar and build a denser, mixed-use project that has 300 apartments, only about 30 of which will be affordable.
Permalink | Comments (87) | Categories: News
What do you think about the Austin City Council's pay raise?
What do you think of the Austin City Council’s pay raise? Do the council members deserve it? Should they earn more or less?
Permalink | Comments (51) | Categories: News
November 13, 2006
Which are your favorite Austin business signs?
The day after the election, Rick Perry’s re-election was confirmed in a ‘Keeping Austin Weird’ tradition — the sign at El Arroyo restaurant. ‘Fo mo for mofo,’ it read.
The sign tradition began April 1, 1987 with a sign imploring all drivers to exit because they were entering a Tex-Mex zone. So many drivers turned because they thought it was an official traffic sign that someone complained to the police. Owner Clay McPhail promised to change the sign that night. Thus began the tradition of a new sign each morning. McPhail has kept a log of each sign.
What’s your favorite El Arroyo or Austin business sign?
Permalink | Comments (38) | Categories: News
November 10, 2006
Should Jim Wang be allowed to compete?
Should LBJ High School senior Jim Wang be allowed to compete in the prestigious Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology at UT this weekend? Should the Siemens Competition change its rules to allow greencard applicants the right to compete?
Permalink | Comments (43) | Categories: News
November 2, 2006
Should students who left school to protest go to trial?
Amid controversy over federal immigration legislation in March, Round Rock students took to the streets to protest.
On Thursday, Round Rock Municipal Court opened the first jury trial of a student charged with class disruption, a Class C misdemeanor, in connection with the daytime protests.
Do you think this violation merits a trial?
Permalink | Comments (54) | Categories: News
October 31, 2006
Share your toll road tales
Did you try out the Austin area’s new toll roads? What was your drive like? What is your normal route, and how much faster or slower was the toll road? Tell us about your experience.
Permalink | Comments (110) | Categories: News
Would you pay more than double for public transportation?
Capital Metro bus and special transit fares would double in 2008, double again in 2010 and then have yet another bump in 2014 under an agency staff proposal unveiled Monday.
Under state law, Capital Metro must go through a three-step process to increase fares, including getting final approval from a board of elected officials. A decision is probably months away.
Would you pay more than double for public transportation?
Permalink | Comments (40) | Categories: News
October 28, 2006
Death row appeals
What is your reaction to the problems with the Texas death row appeals system?
Permalink | Comments (22) | Categories: News
Worst streets in Austin
What are the worst streets in Austin?
Permalink | Comments (8) | Categories: News
Undecided voters
Are you still undecided about the governor’s race? What influenced your decision?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: News
October 27, 2006
Wild cats
What do you think should be done with the feral cats?
Permalink | Comments (43) | Categories: News
October 24, 2006
What do you think of chaining or leashing pets in the backyard?
A city ordinance proposed by a group called Chain Free Austin would make it illegal to leave tethered dogs outside unless their owners are with them. Chaining dogs is inhumane and makes the dog aggressive, according to the group’s spokesman, Lyndon Poole.
Do you think chaining dogs is inhumane?
Permalink | Comments (212) | Categories: News
Do students fare better in a single sex environment?
The Department of Education released a new interpretation of the Title IX law banning sexual discrimination in federally funded programs, in order to broaden oportunities for single-sex public education. The Bush administration, spurred by concern over boys lagging behind girls in school, has supported single-sex schools.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Categories: News
What is your favorite news channel and/or news anchor?
Bill Seitzler, who joined KXAN in January, has told the newsroom staff that he is stepping down to take a job with SmithGeiger LLC, a Los Angeles-based media company. He will stay on until Thanksgiving, if necessary, while his replacement is found.
What is your favorite news channel or who is your favorite news anchor?
Permalink | Comments (68) | Categories: News
October 23, 2006
Has the 2003 Driver Responsibility Program affected you?
An increasing number of Texans are being caught driving with invalid or suspended driver’s licenses. So many, in fact, that the trend is clogging the state’s misdemeanor court system, officials say. Some say it’s the result of a three-year-old state law.
Has this law affected you?
Permalink | Comments (58) | Categories: News
October 21, 2006
Californians are coming
Did you come to Austin from out of state ? Was the cost of real estate a factor in your move?
Permalink | Comments (91) | Categories: News
October 17, 2006
What local businesses do you consider icons?
The Las Manitas debate has led to a flurry of activity by council members, planning commissioners and even one state legislator, all trying to figure out ways to ‘save’ iconic businesses in the face of growing development pressures. No one is sure they have a workable approach, let alone how to define and iconic business.
What local businesses do you consider icons and why?
Permalink | Comments (146) | Categories: News
October 16, 2006
What are some of the most notable changes that have occurred in Austin and Travis County in the last 30 years? Any that were expected? Any that have been a surprise?
With the nation’s population officially projected to reach 300 million today, according to the Census Bureau, Austin and Austinites have felt the growth.
What are some of the most notable changes that have occurred in Austin and Travis County in the last 30 years? Any that were expected? Any that have been a surprise?
Permalink | Comments (24) | Categories: News
October 14, 2006
Taking the toll road
Will you be taking the toll roads? Tell us your thoughts.
Permalink | Comments (226) | Categories: News
October 12, 2006
Census data missing
Fifteen of the 2,400 handheld computers used by census takers are missing, according to an audit by the Department of Commerce. The computers include names, addresses, phone numbers and dates of birth, but officials say the information is password-protected and encrypted. Will this announcement make you leery of cooperating with the U.S. Census Bureau in the future? We’d especially like to hear from people who have received a letter indicating their personal information may have been stolen. How will you respond?
Permalink | Comments (22) | Categories: News
October 11, 2006
Should the state support biodiesel production and sales?
Biodiesel manufacturers by the end of the year must convince the state’s environmental agency that their product has tailpipe emissions in line with low emissions standards or possibly be forced to stop selling the renewable fuel in Texas.
Do you think the state should continue to support biodiesel?
Permalink | Comments (13) | Categories: News
October 8, 2006
Keep cats inside
Circle C Ranch resident Susan Schaffel says she has spent five years urging the Austin City Council to pass an ordinance making it illegal for cats to roam freely because of what they do to birds. What do you think?
Permalink | Comments (79) | Categories: News
October 4, 2006
What do you think of the judge's strike on the smoking ban?
A federal judge on Wednesday struck down part of Austin’s smoking ban and found that some of its enforcement provisions were “unconstitutionally vague.”
The decision by U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks did not overturn the smoking ban, enacted by voters in May 2005. But Sparks did clarify what steps a bar owner must take to be in compliance with the ordinance.
What do you think of this decision?
Permalink | Comments (208) | Categories: News
October 3, 2006
Should city council positions be a full-time job?
Recognizing that Austin is no longer a small town, the City Council is asking the city’s Ethics Review Commission to look at whether it is time for council members to be full-time. The change could make the council members eligible for retirement benefits and lead to a bigger salary.
Do you think this change should happen?
Permalink | Comments (67) | Categories: News
October 1, 2006
Too much homework
Is your child getting too much homework? Then tell us how you would help Ariston’s characters get out of a house without doors.
Permalink | Comments (80) | Categories: News
September 30, 2006
No free rides on ozone days
How do you think no-free-rides on ozone days will affect traffic and Cap Metro?
Permalink | Comments (14) | Categories: News
September 29, 2006
Graffiti artists
The president of the South Austin Merchants Association logged on to MySpace.com in hopes of catching graffiti artists. Have you ever used MySpace to track down any supposed wrongdoer?
Permalink | Comments (73) | Categories: News
September 27, 2006
What questions should the gubernatorial candidates ask each other?
The gubernatorial candidates will have the opportunity during next week’s televised debate to ask each other questions. What questions would you like to see them ask each other?
Permalink | Comments (19) | Categories: News
September 26, 2006
Who do you think Ann Richards would have voted for?
Who do you think the late Ann Richards would have voted for in the upcoming gubernatorial election and why?
Permalink | Comments (39) | Categories: News
September 24, 2006
Have you tried E-85?
Have you tried the ethanol-gasoline fuel? How has it affected your vehicle?
Permalink | Comments (38) | Categories: News
September 22, 2006
Illegal street racing
Police say illegal street racing is not a big problem in Austin. Tell us what you think.
Permalink | Comments (15) | Categories: News
September 20, 2006
Where do you think the planned 'Habitat on Wheels' should be located?
The faith-based Mobile Loaves & Fishes would like a tract of land set aside to build an RV park for the chronically homeless. Where do you think the park should be located?
Permalink | Comments (183) | Categories: News
September 18, 2006
Should Travis County pay for employees' weight-loss surgery?
Travis County has backed off a plan that would have paid for up to 15 bariatric surgeries — or trimmings of the digestive tract — per year. The trial would have lasted five years.
In the face of public outcry, did commissioners make the right call?
Permalink | Comments (345) | Categories: News
September 13, 2006
Share your memories of Ann Richards
Former Texas governor Ann Richards died Wednesday night at the age of 73 after a battle with esophageal cancer.
Share your stories about the former governor and political celebrity here.
Permalink | Comments (192) | Categories: News
September 12, 2006
Are we too lenient on stalkers?
An Austin woman has been living in fear as her ex-boyfriend harasses her. Police caught the man last year sneaking under her house to check on a phone tap he set up, and he’s been charged four times with violating a protective order. He pleaded guilty last week to felony burglary and wiretapping charges and is scheduled to be sentenced to 10 years’ probation. The woman questions whether that punishment is the best the criminal justice system can do to protect her. Is the criminal justice system is too lenient on people accused of stalking? Tell us what you think.
Permalink | Comments (113) | Categories: News
September 5, 2006
How did your child prepare for high school?
A recent report by the Ohio-based National Middle School Association says that, “by the eighth grade, for instance, many students have decided whether they will drop out or graduate from high school, whether they will take algebra and other ‘gatekeeper’ courses that predict success in college, and whether they will engage in risky behaviors such as drug use and unprotected sex.”
How did your child prepare to navigate high school?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: News
September 4, 2006
Should metal detectors be banned from area parks?
Travis county is considering reversing a metal-detector ban. Members of the Austin Metal Detecting Club said they are being unfairly blamed for the looting of archaeological items.
Should metal detectors be banned from area parks?
Permalink | Comments (50) | Categories: News
September 1, 2006
Ghost bikes
Bicycles painted white have been popping up at sites where riders have been killed. What do you think of the ghost bikes?
Permalink | Comments (12) | Categories: News
August 31, 2006
How satisfied are you with your medical insurance?
The dramatic increase in health care spending in the United States since 1960 is a major reason that Americans are living longer, making the world’s most expensive health care system a good value, according to a study.
How satisfied are you with your medical insurance?
Permalink | Comments (11) | Categories: News
August 30, 2006
In what situations is deadly force merited or justified?
Several area communities have been affected by deaths during confrontations with officers. Many say that the use of deadly force was unjustified and that other non-lethal tactics need to be used.
In what situations is deadly force merited or justified?
Permalink | Comments (194) | Categories: News
August 29, 2006
Are there dangerous sections in area parks that should have warning signs, but don't?
A man who fell off a cliff and tumbled into Georgetown’s Blue Hole Park has sued the city, saying there should have been warning signs at the edge of the drop-off. Are there other dangerous sections in area parks that should have warning signs, but don’t?
Permalink | Comments (101) | Categories: News
August 28, 2006
Has student housing contributed to the increase in housing prices in and around downtown Austin?
Zoning changes have brought new luxe high-rises to the West Campus neighborhood. Do you think this deluxe student housing has contributed to the rent increases in and around central Austin?
Permalink | Comments (18) | Categories: News
August 24, 2006
High gas prices
Do you believe gasoline prices are unfairly high? Do you blame anyone for the high prices? Have you done anything to cut your gas bill?
Permalink | Comments (92) | Categories: News
August 21, 2006
Should bike helmets be mandatory in Austin?
Mayor Will Wynn announced that Seton and St. David’s will will do a year-long study of head injuries, a precursor to reviving the debate over bike helmets.
If Bruce Todd has his way, all Austin cyclists will soon wear helmets. The former mayor, seriously injured in a bike accident last November, wants the city’s current law broadened to include adults. Do you agree with Todd? Should the city study this issue further? What about only requiring helmets on major highways? Let us know what you think.
Permalink | Comments (320) | Categories: News
August 20, 2006
Animal sterilization and microchips
Do you support the increased sterilization and microchipping of pets? Would you pay higher taxes for the project?
Permalink | Comments (63) | Categories: News
August 18, 2006
Bush, 9/11 and security
Five years after 9/11, do you feel safe? What could we do differently?
Permalink | Comments (74) | Categories: News
August 17, 2006
Smoking ban
Has the smoking ban affected your night life?
Permalink | Comments (44) | Categories: News
August 16, 2006
What are the worst streets in Austin?
Austin residents named street conditions as their top concern in the city’s most recent annual survey. What are the worst streets in Austin?
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Do you think mobile food vendors such as taco trailers attract crime and loitering?
Residents of neighborhoods around Riverside drive complain that mobile taco vendors attract noise and loitering. What do you think?
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August 14, 2006
How do you feel the area has handled homelessness?
Has the situation changed in recent years?
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August 13, 2006
Back to school
How is the start of school going? How was the first day? Tell us and then send us your photos.
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Williamson County traffic clog
Where do you run into the worst traffic, and what are you doing to cope?
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August 10, 2006
Flying fears?
Does news about a terror plot in Britain give you the jitters about flying? How do you feel about the extra secruity measures, not allowing liquids to be carried onto planes? What’s the mood at the gates now at U.S. airports?
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August 9, 2006
What is your unique talent?
Austinite Geoff Thevenot placed as the nation’s No. two word nerd Wednesday, winning $10,000 playing Scrabble. He never graduated from high school but loved words, family says.
What is your unique talent?
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Do you monitor your child's Internet use? If so, how? If not, why?
A study found a decrease in online sexual solicitations of teens, but more youths report being harassed or seeing unwanted sexual material. Do you monitor your child’s Internet use? If so, how? If not, why?
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How are you preparing for the new school year?
Many area schools open next week. How are you preparing for the new school year?
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Share your thoughts on 9/11
With the 5-year anniversary upon us, give us your thoughts about 9/11 and how the nation has responded?
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August 4, 2006
What does patriotism mean to you?
The polls say that Americans remain today as patriotic as they were on Sept. 11, 2001 and that, according to one, the United States is the most patriotic country on Earth. Yet we remain more divided in our definition of patriotism as we were at 8:47 a.m. on that day. What does patriotism mean to you?
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July 30, 2006
Tubing in New Braunfels
What do you think of the New Braunfels’ crackdown? And the San Antonio topless club’s response?
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July 29, 2006
Flip side of housing boom
How is this boom affecting you? What do you think it means for Austin? Tell us what you think.
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Rising cost of water
What do you think of the rising cost of water?
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July 28, 2006
Too young for San Marcos City Council
What do you think of the city’s proposal to raise the age required to run for City Council from 18 to 21?
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Plastic army invasion
Little plastic soldier and police officer figurines are hiding out along two blocks of Main Street in Round Rock. Invaders, guardian angels or the work of pranksters? What do you think?
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Problems with CHIP
Richard Uhr has fought a lengthy battle to keep his grandson enrolled in the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program. What do you think about the administrative problems facing the program?
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July 24, 2006
Should Austin install red-light cameras?
Three members of the Austin City Council are pushing for the installation of red-light cameras to catch traffic scofflaws. Several other Texas cities, including Houston, already have them, thanks to a 2003 Texas law. Should city leaders begin work on placing cameras at problem intersections? Will this prevent accidents? Let us know what you think about the proposal.
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July 16, 2006
What do you make of the public art on the Lamar underpass?
What do you make of the public art on the Lamar underpass? What did you think it was for (before you knew it was art)?
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July 14, 2006
What do you think of a Democratic Austin without a Democrat representing it?
The state’s plan for redistricting splits Travis into three districts that are likely to be held by Republicans. What do you think of a Democratic Austin without a Democrat representing it?
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July 11, 2006
How can the Section 8 program be improved?
More than 2,000 people lined up by 6 a.m. Tuesday to secure spots on the waiting list for Section 8 housing. Is this program necessary? Is there a better way it could be administered? Let us know what you think.
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July 1, 2006
Drinking in Travis County parks
What do you think of Travis County’s new rules on alcoholic beverages in its parks?
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June 29, 2006
Partisan politics and churches
What do you think of the push to keep partisan politics out of churches?
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June 28, 2006
Do you agree with the Supreme Court's ruling on redistricting?
The U.S. Supreme Court today rejected most of the legal challenges to the state’s congressional map but ruled that a border district discriminated against minorities, setting in motion a redrawing of political districts that will ripple through Central Texas.
Do you agree with the Supreme Court’s ruling on redistricting?
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June 20, 2006
Should the city build a tunnel under Waller Creek?
What do you think of the city’s proposal for a tunnel along Waller Creek that could reduce the threat of flooding and open up a prime corridor for redevelopment?
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June 15, 2006
Should Austinites be required to wear helmets when cycling?
The Austin City Council, pressured by former mayor and bicycle accident victim Bruce Todd, next week will begin the process to broaden the city’s bicycle helmet law, requiring adults to wear a helmet while cycling. What do you think of the idea? Should all residents be required to wear helmets while cycling?
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May 16, 2006
What should be part of the bond package?
The Austin City Council will soon determine what — and how much — makes up the bond package that is slated for the November ballot. Public hearings are scheduled for Thursday and May 25 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
At the request of the council, the city staff shaved the proposed package from the $615 million recommended by an advisory committee to $536 million.
The cuts have already ruffled some feathers because the new package includes markedly less for affordable housing and acquisition of parkland and open space. Drainage and facility renovations also took hits.
What do you think should be part of the bond package? What do you think should be cut?
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Downtown parking problems
About 65 percent of disabled parking tags are being used illegally, according to the Precinct 5 constable’s office. What do you think the city should do to solve this problem? What should happen to the offenders?
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May 5, 2006
Share your storm stories
Strong storms hammered Central Texas overnight, producing hail, flooding low-water crossings and downing trees across the region. Many Austin Energy customers are still without power. Run across any storm damage in your neighborhood? How much rainfall did you measure? Lose your lights? Let us know.
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May 1, 2006
Are you participating in today's Day Without Immigrants?
How are you participating in today’s Day Without Immigrants? Have you found any area businesses that you frequent are closed because of the boycott?
As of 5:25 p.m., we have suspended commenting on this issue due to the overwhelming degrading nature of the comments.
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April 26, 2006
What do you think of Austin's proposed towing policy?
The Austin City Council will consider a proposed ordinance today with changes to city towing law, including one with the goal of getting disabled vehicles off of major roads in 10 minutes or less.
What do you think of the proposals? Will the changes improve traffic flow on Austin’s busiest freeways?
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April 25, 2006
Who's to blame for high gas prices?
President George W. Bush has asked the Energy and Justice departments to investigate whether the price of gasoline has been illegally manipulated. Are oil companies boosting prices to increase profits, or is an increasing global demand to blame for $3-per-gallon fuel? What can be done to keep the cost from jumping even higher?
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April 21, 2006
How are you helping the environment?
Do you hang your laundry like reporter Denise Gamino, and do you think everyone should have that right? How else do you honor Earth Day? Let us know what you’re doing to preserve the environment today and every day.
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Where's the cheapest gas in your part of town?
With prices approaching $3 per gallon, we’re all feeling a little pain at the pump these days. Know of a gas station with low prices? Tell us where it’s located and the current price.
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April 18, 2006
Most dangerous intersection or street for cyclists?
We would like to know which intersection or street you think is the most dangerous in Austin or the surrounding areas and why.
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Is it safe to bike on Loop 360?
Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360) has been the site of numerous accidents involving bikes and cars. The most recent was yesterday, when an Austin woman was hit and killed near the Bee Cave Road interchange. Is it safe to bike on Loop 360? If not, what could be done to so that bikers and motorists can co-exist on this scenic stretch of highway?
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April 17, 2006
Did you lose your power?
Have you lost power recently due to rolling blackouts? Please specify location and how long the electricity was off.
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April 14, 2006
Would you use proposed streetcar line?
Capital Metro has released a draft version of what likely will be its next rail initiative: a streetcar line from near the Seaholm Power Plant downtown, past the Capitol, through the University of Texas campus and ending at the emerging Mueller development. Is this what Austin needs? If built, would you use it?
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April 12, 2006
Does your child's school have a crossing guard?
We are working on an upcoming story about school crossing guards. If your child’s school has a crossing guard, we would like to know the name of the school and the location of the crossing guard.
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April 10, 2006
Tracking the protests
Have you seen any protesters near the Capitol, around Austin or elsewhere in Central Texas? Have you seen any traffic disruptions? Please send us a description of what you saw, when it happened and where (intersections or street block). You can also call us at 445-3851 or email at mailto:protest@statesman.com.
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