Closed Caption Log, Council Inauguration
Saturday, June 15, 2002

Note: Since these log files are derived from the Closed Captions created during the Channel 6 live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. These Closed Caption logs are not official records of Council Meetings and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records or transcripts, please contact the City Clerk at (512) 974-2210.

FUTRELL: NOW IT SEEMS VERY QUIET. THAT'S GOOD. WELCOME EVERYBODY. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE GREAT EVENTS WHERE IT'S NOTHING BUT GOOD NEWS AND FUN FOR AN EVENING. NORMALLY YOU WOULD HAVE THE MAYOR UP HERE, AND YOU'RE GOING TO GET STUCK WITH YOUR CITY MANAGER TONIGHT BECAUSE THE MAYOR IS ON A CULTURAL EXCHANGE TRIP TO OUR SISTER CITY IN GERMANY. BUT I DID TALK TO HIM ON FRIDAY AND HE SAID THAT WOULD HE WOULD BE THINKING OF EVERYBODY TONIGHT AND HE WISHES HE COULD HAVE BEEN HERE WITH US. I THINK WHEN WE THINK ABOUT TONIGHT, WHAT WE'RE REALLY DOING IS CELEBRATING SERVICE. I'M NOT SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE RECOGNIZES WHAT IT TAKES IN ORDER TO SERVE AND RUN FOR ELECTED OFFICE. YOU HAVE TO FIGHT FOR THE JOB. YOU TAKE ENORMOUS, INTENSE SCRUTINY. YOUR PUBLIC AFFAIRS ARE VERY PUBLIC. YOUR PRIVATE AFFAIRS ARE VERY PUBLIC. THE CRITICISM CAN BE PAINFUL. THE DECISIONS CAN BE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT. AND AS A COMMUNITY AT LARGE, WE SHOULD BE VERY THANKFUL THAT WE HAVE QUALITY PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO RUN AND SERVE IN OUR CITY. AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE TODAY. [ APPLAUSE ] AND I APPRECIATE THAT AND I KNOW THAT THEY DO TOO. SO IT'S WITH PLEASURE, AND I WOULD SAY NOT JUST THE PLEASURE, BUT WITH GRATITUDE, THAT WE'RE HERE TONIGHT TO WATCH TWO VETERAN COUNCILMEMBERS REUP THEIR SENTENCE AT PUBLIC SERVICE AND TO SEE ONE VETERAN CITY STAFFER BEGIN HER TERM. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]. AND I KNOW EVERYONE IS EAGER TO HEAR FROM OUR RECENTLY ELECTED COUNCILMEMBERS, BUT I DO WANT TO TAKE JUST A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF THE SPECIAL DIGNITARIES THAT HAVE JOINED US FOR THE EVENT. AND I APOLOGIZE IF I MISS ANYBODY AND I'LL BE LOOKING FOR RAISED HANDS IF I DO. WE HAVE WITH US TODAY STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAWNA DUKES. WE HAVE CONGRESSMAN LLOYD DOGGETT. WE HAVE FORMER MAYOR JOHN TREVINO. WE HAVE TRAVIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER KAREN SONLEITNER. WE HAVE TWO FORMER COUNCILMEMBERS WITH US TONIGHT, CHARLES URDY, FORMER COUNCILMEMBER CHARLES URDY. AND FORMER COUNCILMEMBER BRIDGET SHEA. AND I BELIEVE I SAID JOHN TREVINO. OKAY. AND NOW IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE OUR VERY FINEST COME FORWARD. IT'S WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I INTRODUCE THE AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT'S HONOR GUARD AND BAG PIPE CORPS FOR THE PRESENTATION OF COLORS AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. SO IF YOU WILL RISE WITH ME FOR THE COLORS, WE WILL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. (BAG PIPES PLAYING)

PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

OH, SAY CAN YOU SEE BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAIL AT THE TWILIGHTS LAST GLEAMING

WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS, THROUGH THE PERIOLOUS FIGHT. 'ORE THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING

AND THE ROCKETS RED GLARE, THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR, GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE

OH, SAY DOES THAT STAR SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE

'ORE THE LAND AND OF THE FREE, AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE

[ APPLAUSE ]

(BAGPIPES PLAYING)

FUTRELL: REVEREND JOE PARKER WITH OUR INVOCATION.

LET US BOW. HOLY GOD, TO YOU BELONG ALL REALMS, ALL POWER, ALL GLORY, YET YOU DELEGATE THE POWER OF TEMPORAL LEADERSHIP TO YOUR LEADERS. IN THIS NATION YOU HAVE GIVEN US THE FREEDOM TO ESTABLISH OUR OWN GOVERNMENT, TO OVERSEE THE WELFARE OF OUR LAND AND THE MANY PEOPLE IT SUPPORTS. THIS EVENING WE PRAY FOR THOSE WHOM WE THE PEOPLE HAVE CHOSEN TO LEAD OUR CITY, THIS PLACE WE CALL AUSTIN. IT IS NOT EASY FOR THEM TO LEAD SUCH A DIVERSE PEOPLE WHOSE MANY WANTS CANNOT ALL BE SATISFIED. IT IS NOT EASY TO DISCERN WHICH ACTIONS WILL PRODUCE THE GREATEST GOOD FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER. IT IS NOT EASY TO WITHSTAND THE HUGE PERSONAL TEMPTATIONS THAT COME WITH POWER. IT IS NOT EASY TO BEAR THE EXTRAORDINARY PRESSURES AND THE COMPLEX, CONNIVING WORLD OF POLITICS. SO ASSIST OUR ELECTED LEADERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE SWORN IN TODAY, BLESS THEM WITH THE STAMINA, THE TOUGHNESS AND THE INTEGRITY TO FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND HONORABLE IN YOUR SIGHT. GRANT OUR CITY A SUCCESSION OF POLICYMAKERS AND ADMINISTRATORS WHO HAVE LEARNED HOW TO DO JUSTICE, TO LOVE MERCY AND TO WALK HUMBLY BEFORE YOU. PROTECT THEM FROM LOSING THEIR WITS, THEY'RE NERVE OR EVEN THEIR SOULS IN THE HEADY ATMOSPHERE OF LOCAL AFFAIRS AND BEYOND, SO THAT WE THE PEOPLE, ALL THE PEOPLE, IRRESPECTIVE OF RACE, ETHNICITY, GENDER, LOCATION, EDUCATION OR INCOME, MAY FLOURISH IN A CITY OF IDEAS, BLESSED WITH LIBERTY AND PEACE AND JUSTICE. SO PROTECT OUR LEADERS, OUR MAYOR, MAYOR PRO TEM, OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS, AND GRANT THE WILL AND THE CHARACTER TO WORK FOR THE GOOD OF OUR WHOLE PEOPLE. HELP US AS CITIZENS TO BEAR OUR SHARE OF THE BURDEN OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT. MAKE US LOVE PEACE AND FAIR DEALING. MODERATE OUR POLITICAL PASSIONS, OUR FRUSTRATIONS AND EVEN OUR ANGER WITH CALMNESS AND SELF-CONTROL. ALLOW US TO SEE SITUATIONS FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF OTHERS THAT WE MAY DISCERN WHAT IS THE COMMON GOOD. SOME MAY PRAY IN THE NAME OF YAKWA. SOME MAY PRAY IN THE NAME OF ALLAH OR BUDDHA, BUT I PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. AMEN.

AMEN.

IF I CAN HAVE THE THREE CITY COUNCILMEMBERS STAND UP TO BE SWORN. NOW, DURING YOUR CAMPAIGN, EACH OF YOU MAY HAVE MADE SOME PROMISES OF WHAT YOU WOULD DO ONCE YOU GOT ELECTED, IF YOU WERE ELECTED. HOWEVER, TODAY DURING YOUR OATH, THE OATH IS YOUR FIRST OFFICIAL PROMISES OF WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF YOU IN THIS TERM. THEY'RE SIMPLE AND THEY'RE DIRECT. AND THEY SHOULD SERVE AS A DAILY GUIDANCE TO YOU DURING YOUR TERM. IF I CAN HAVE ALL THREE OF YOU RAISE YOUR RIGHT HANDS. AND WHEN I SAY "MY NAME," SAY YOUR NAME. AND WHEN I SAY "AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL PLACE", STATE YOUR PLACE.

I, DARYL SLUSHER, JACKIE GOODMAN, BETTY DUNKERLEY, DO SOLEMNLY FAIR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF AUSTIN CITY COUNCILMEMBER PLACE 1, 3, 4 OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY PROTECT, PRESERVE AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES. AND OF THIS STATE. SO HELP ME GOD. I'M HONORED TO BE THE FIRST TO CONGRATULATE YOU. CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK. [ APPLAUSE ] [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]

GOODMAN: OKAY. I'M SORRY, I FORGOT THE MAYOR WAS NOT HERE. WE ARE NOW CALLING TO ORDER THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL ON JUNE 15TH IN THE YEAR 2002. WE HAVE ONLY ONE ACTION ITEM ON THE AGENDA, AND THAT WOULD BE TO CALL FOR THE ELECTION OF THE MAYOR PRO TEM. IS THERE A MOTION?

SLUSHER: I WOULD MOVE FOR ELECTION OF JACKIE GOODMAN AS MAYOR PRO TEM.

I'LL SECOND.

I'LL SECOND. [ LAUGHTER ]

GOODMAN: THANK YOU. THERE'S A MOTION AND THREE SECONDEDS. FOUR, I CAN SECOND AS WELL. ALL IN FAVOR?

AYE.

GOODMAN: OPPOSED, ABSTAINING? AND WITH A COUPLE OF US TEMPORARILY ABSENT. NOW, DO I TURN IT OVER TO THE CITY MANAGER?

FUTRELL: ACTUALLY, COUNCILMEMBER, I THINK YOU COULD -- MAYOR PRO TEM MORE APPROPRIATELY, YOU COULD START IF YOU WOULD LIKE WITH YOUR REMARKS.

GOODMAN: OKAY. NOW, I THINK WE'LL GO IN ORDER OF PLACE. SO COUNCILMEMBER SLUSHER. [ APPLAUSE ]

SLUSHER: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE FIRST THING I WANT TO SAY IS TO THANK THE VOTERS OF AUSTIN FOR HAVING THE FAITH TO GRANT ME ANOTHER TERM OF SERVING ON THE CITY COUNCIL OF AUSTIN. IT'S ALWAYS A VERY HUMBLING EXPERIENCE TO STAND BEFORE THE VOTERS IN JUDGMENT AND FOR ELECTION AND IT'S A GREAT HONOR AND A HUMBLING FEELING WHEN YOU WIN AND ARE CHOSEN TO SERVE. SO I THANK THE VOTERS. AND I THINK MOST OF YOU REALIZE THAT THIS TIME IT WAS PARTICULARLY LENGTHY AND A DIFFICULT STRUGGLE TO GET HERE WHERE I'M STANDING HERE THIS EVENING, SO I'M PARTICULARLY MOVED BY THE FAITH THAT THE VOTERS HAVE IN ME AND HAD IN ME ON ELECTION DAY. I WANT TO START -- I COULD THANK A LOT OF PEOPLE, A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT AND THAT ARE NOT HERE TONIGHT, BUT I'M JUST GOING TO LIMIT TO A FEW FOLKS. ONE I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK MY PARENTS, CHARLES AND DOROTHY SLUSHER HERE TONIGHT. [ APPLAUSE ] IN FACT, I DON'T HAVE TIME TO THANK THEM FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO FOR ME. THEY LIVE IN ORANGE, BUT KEEP UP WITH POLITICS HERE. I ACTUALLY MATCH THEM UP AGAINST ANY OF THE POLITICAL CONSULTANTS THAT WE HAVE HERE. [ LAUGHTER ] AND I WANT TO THANK MY WIFE ADELLA AND DAUGHTER OLIVIA. THEY'RE RIGHT THERE NEXT TO MY PARENTS. [ APPLAUSE ] THESE WERE SEVEN MONTHS THIS CAMPAIGN LASTED, AND THEY WERE ALL TOUGH ON -- A LITTLE BIT OF A STRAIN ON THE FAMILY. AND I WANTED TO THANK ADELLA AND OLIVIA FOR GOING THROUGH ALL THAT. AND I WANT TO THANK PARTICULARLY ADELLA FOR HER GUIDANCE AND STRENGTH AND FOR HER COMMITMENT TO THE CAUSES THAT WE SHARE. SO THANK YOU, ADELLA. AND THE LAST PERSON I WANT TO THANK SPECIFICALLY IS MY COUNCIL OFFICE STAFF. I REALLY HAVE A GREAT STAFF, AND THEY'RE DOWN HERE ON THE FRONT ROW, JACKIE, TINA AND OUR INTERN, PATRICIA. [ APPLAUSE ] Y'ALL STAND UP. THEY DO A GREAT JOB FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN. THEY REALLY ARE VERY COMMITTED TO THE WORK THEY DO ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS. AND I'M GOING TO SAY THAT THE FACT THAT I'M WILLING TO DO THIS JOB FOR A LOT LESS THAN I DO TO GET TO WORK WITH THEM. IT MEANS A LOT TO ME. AS YOU KNOW, THE COUNCIL AND THE STAFF FACE SOME REALLY CRITICAL SHORT-TERM CHALLENGES. FOREMOST AMONG THEM IS BALANCING THE BUDGET. BALANCING THE BUDGET IN A SLOW ECONOMY AND BALANCING IN A HUMANE AND PRUDENT WAY. AND WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT AND WE'RE ALREADY AT WORK DOING THAT. BUT TONIGHT I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ON BROADER TERMS ABOUT WHERE I THINK THE CITY IS, THE PLACE THE CITY IS IN ITS HISTORY AT THIS POINT. I THINK AUSTIN IS CLEARLY -- YOU CAN TELL FROM THE ELECTION, AUSTIN IS A CITY THAT'S IN TRANSITION. THE CITY'S CHANGED. IT'S NO LONGER THE SAME PLACE THAT IT USED TO BE. BUT OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO SHAPE WHAT THE NEW CITY WILL BE. I THINK DESPITE THE CHANGES TO WHERE WE ARE IS WE'RE EXACTLY THE SAME CITY WE USED TO BE. AND MANY OF US DON'T LIKE THE CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED, BUT IT'S A REALITY THAT THEY HAVE. BUT STILL WE'VE BEEN AGE TO RETAIN MUCH OF WHAT AUSTIN ALREADY WAS. I THINK THAT'S ESPECIALLY TRUE THE SPIRIT, THE CHARACTER AND THE TOLERANCE THAT MAKE AUSTIN SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE AND HELP MAKE IT WHAT IT IS. THE FACT THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN SO MANY OF THESE THINGS IS A TRIBUTE TO THE CITIZENRY AND THE HUGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD A PASSIONATE COMMITMENT TO PRESERVING AUSTIN AND MAKING IT A SPECIAL PLACE OVER THE YEARS. I SEE OUR CHALLENGE NOW IS TO PRESERVE THE SPECIAL CHARACTER AND SPIRIT THAT MAKES AUSTIN WHAT IT IS AS WE SHAPE THE NEW CITY THAT AUSTIN WILL BECOME. AND CITY GOVERNMENT CAN'T DO IT BY ITSELF. IT'S GOING TO TAKE THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF THE CITIZENRY. IT'S GOING TO TAKE WORKING WITH OTHERS IN THE REGION, CONTINUING TO WORK WITH OTHERS IN THE REGION, BUT A LOT OF THE RESPONSIBILITY IS GOING TO BE ON THE SHOULDERS OF THIS COUNCIL. AND WE RAN TO ACCEPT THAT RESPONSIBILITY. I THINK WE HAVE MADE SOME PROGRESS. PUBLIC SAFETY, WE'VE GOT MORE PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL, BETTER EQUIPMENT AND HIGHER PAY FOR THE PEOPLE THAT RISK THEIR LIVES FOR ALL OF US EVERYDAY. AND THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE. THE CITY GOVERNMENT IS MORE RESPONSIVE. THE REVITALIZATION OF EAST 11TH STREET IS FINALLY BECOMING A REALITY AFTER THREE DECADES. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF NEW CITY FACILITIES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE JOINT FACILITY OF PICKLE ELEMENTARY, ALONG WITH THE ST. JOHN'S COMMUNITY CENTER THAT PEOPLE USE EVERYBODY IN THAT LONG NEGLECTED NEIGHBORHOOD. THERE'S BEEN GREAT PROGRESS ON PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT, PRESERVING THOUSANDS OF ACRES IN PERPETUITY, STEERING MAJOR EMPLOYERS OFF THE AQUIFER, DRAMATICALLY INCREASING THE USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY BY OUR UTILITIES. BUT DESPITE THIS PROGRESS, THERE ARE MANY CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD. AND THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT THAT WE NEED TO SHAPE THE WAY THAT THIS CITY BECOMES. SO WHAT KIND OF CITY SHOULD WE SHAPE? FIRST OF ALL, I THINK WE NEED A GOVERNMENT THAT'S EVER MORE RESPONSIVE TO ITS CITIZENS. MOSTLY TO PROVIDE BASIC SERVICES TO THE CITIZENS, PUBLIC SAFETY FOREMOST AMONG THEM. AND WE ALWAYS NEED TO KEEP IN MIND THAT FOREMOST GOAL OF MOST PEOPLE IN THIS CITY AND IN THE WORLD IS TO MAKE A LIVING, RAISE A FAMILY, ENSURE THE COMFORT OF YOUR LOVED ONES. SO WE NEED TO ALWAYS KEEP THE CITY A PLACE WHERE WE CAN HAVE WHAT THOMAS JEFFERSON CALLED THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. I THINK AUSTIN IS A VERY GOOD PLACE FOR THAT RIGHT NOW. AND WE NEED TO KEEP IT LIKE THAT. IT'S GOT TO BE A CITY WITH ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL, WITH HOUSING FOR OUR CITIZENS, HEALTH CARE. YOU'VE GOT TO CONTINUE THE REVITALIZATION OF EAST AUSTIN. WE'VE GOT TO PRESERVE THE NATURAL BEAUTY, CLEAN WATER AND CLEAN AIR. AND THIS MEANS NOT JUST PREVENTING FUTURE POLLUTION, IT MEANS CLEANING UP THE POLLUTION THAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN AUSTIN AND THIS REGION. WE'VE GOT TO CONTINUE PRESERVING LANDS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS AND WE HAVE TO -- WE JUST HAVE TO SAVE BARTON SPRINGS, WHICH HAS BEEN AN OASIS IN THE HEART OF THE CITY FOR CENTURIES. IN ADDITION TO PRESERVING OUR NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT, WE'VE GOT TO WORK VERY HARD TO PRESERVE THE CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT THAT MAKES AUSTIN SPECIAL. LIKE OUR MUSIC SCENE THAT AUSTIN IS JUSTIFIABLY SO FAMOUS FOR AROUND THE NATION AND THE WORLD. ONE OF THE THINGS -- ONE OF THE MOST MOST MATTERS AND ISSUES ON WHICH WE ARE GOING TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THIS CITY IS TRANSPORTATION. WE HAVE TO CONTINUE IMPROVING OUR ROAD SYSTEM IN THIS REGION, BUT I ALSO BELIEVE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO HAVE A VIABLE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK THROUGH RELYING ON AUTOMOBILES AND BUSES ALONE. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A BETTER MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM FOR OUR CITIZENS, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF MY PRIORITIES IN MY NEXT TERM, AS IT HAS BEEN IN MY FIRST TWO TERMS. I THINK WE ALSO NEED A CITY WHERE MORE PEOPLE VOTE. AND I'M PROUD TO HAVE THE MAJORITY OF THE VOTERS SUPPORTING ME IN THIS ELECTION, BUT WE REALLY, REALLY NEED TO WORK ON -- WORK ON THAT. NOW, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A REAL FUNDAMENTAL BELIEVER IN TAKING LOCAL ACTION AND SOLVING PROBLEMS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, BUT A FEW OF THESE THAT I LISTED OFF JUST NOW, TO REALLY TACKLE THEM IT'S LIKELY GOING TO TAKE INCREASED FEDERAL AND STATE HELP. BUT WE CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE FEDERAL AND STATE HELP TO COME. WE'VE GOT TO ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL NOW. AND I THINK THAT IF THESE CHALLENGES WE FACE, THE PROBLEMS THAT THIS CITY HAS AND THAT OTHER CITIES AROUND THE NATION HAVE, IF THEY CAN BE SOLVED ON THE LOCAL LEVEL ANYWHERE, I THINK WE CAN DO IT HERE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS WHERE SO MANY PEOPLE CARE SO MUCH ABOUT THE CITY, CARE SO MUCH ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE. THAT ARE SO CAPABLE OF DEALING WITH SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE FACE. A RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE EVEN WITH THOSE WHOM YOU DISAGREE COULD EVEN LEAD TO SOUNDER POLICY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE NEW ALLIANCE THAT HAS FORMED DURING THIS ELECTION, WHICH I SURPRISED SOME PEOPLE, BUT THEY DON'T MEAN THAT ANY OF US THAT USED TO DISAGREE ON WHICH DIRECTION THE CITY SHOULD TAKE, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT ANY OF US HAVE NOW BEEN TOTALLY CONVERTED OVER TO THE OTHER'S WAY OF THINKING. IT MEANS THAT WE NOW SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS WHAT WE SEE AS THE APPROPRIATE COURSE FOR THE CITY. WE STILL DON'T ALWAYS AGREE, BUT SOMETIMES PEOPLE THAT DISAGREE FIND THAT THEY AGREE MORE THAN THEY MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT ONCE THEY SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES AT HAND. AND OFTEN BETTER IDEAS AND APPROACHES ARE DEVISED THROUGH SUCH DIALOGUE. SO LET'S HAVE A RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE, LET'S HAVE AN HONEST DIALOGUE, BUT LET'S DON'T HAVE AN ENDLESS DIALOGUE. [ LAUGHTER ] [ APPLAUSE ] WE'RE ELECTED TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE CITY. SO AFTER THOROUGH DISCUSSION AND LISTENING, THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, THE COUNCIL MUST MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT WHICH OF US BELIEVE IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY. AND THEN IT'S ON TO THE NEXT DECISION BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF THEM TO MAKE, ABOUT 90 ITEMS A WEEK USUALLY. AND AFTER WE VOTE ON AN ITEM, IT NEEDS TO BE IMPLEMENTED, CARRIED THROUGH. WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO WATCH OVER IT AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS WHEN IT PROVES NECESSARY. AND THAT'S THE -- I'M GOING TO CONTINUE THIS PHILOSOPHY AS WE ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES, AS WE SHAPE THE FUTURE OF AUSTIN. NOW, IN CLOSING, I WANT TO DISCUSS WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE GREATEST LEGACY THAT WE CAN TEACH OUR CHILDREN NOW AND LEAVE TO THEM. AND THAT IS THE DIVERSE AND TOLERANT AND LOVING COMMUNITY. I SEE AUSTIN AS A WORLD CITY. AND I DON'T MEAN WE -- WE HEAR A LOT SOMETIMES IN TERMS OF A WORLD CLASS CITY, AND THAT'S NOT -- I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE USE OF THAT TERM WHERE IT MEANS LIKE WE NEED A CERTAIN KIND OF FACILITY TO BE A WORLD CLASS CITY. I'M TALKING ABOUT -- I'M JUST TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE. I'M TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE FROM ALL RACES AND NATIONAL ORIGINS AND BACKGROUNDS LIVING IN PEACE, ENJOYING EACH OTHER, LEARNING ABOUT EACH OTHER'S CULTURES, BLENDING EACH OTHER'S CULTURES TOGETHER, APPRECIATING EACH OTHER'S DIFFERENCES AND APPRECIATING HOW MUCH ALIKE WE ALL ARE. I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE DIVERSITY IN THIS ROOM TODAY. WE'VE MADE A START IN AUSTIN ON MAKING THIS A WORLD CITY. WE CAN GET THERE. I DON'T HAVE A FIVE-POINT PROGRAM TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. THE ONLY WAY I KNOW TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN IS THROUGH LIVING, BUT I THINK THAT IS THE GREATEST LEGACY WE COULD LEAVE TO OUR CHILDREN. SO IN CLOSING, I WANT TO THANK THE VOTERS OF AUSTIN ONCE AGAIN FOR ELECTING ME TO THIS POSITION OF TRUST. I'M GOING TO DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO DELIVER ON THE FAITH THAT THE VOTERS HAVE SHOWN IN ME. I'M GOING TO ENJOY WORKING WITH THIS TEAM OF COUNCILMEMBERS. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A REALLY GOOD TEAM. EVERYONE'S GOING TO WORK FOR WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY IN A REAL RESPECTFUL FASHION AND I'M GOING TO PUT ALL MY ENERGY THAT I HAVE INTO SHAPING AUSTIN INTO A TRULY GREAT CITY THAT WE CAN BE PROUD TO LEAVE TO FUTURE GENERATIONS. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. [ APPLAUSE ]

GOODMAN: I'M GOING TO FIGURE I NEED NO INTRODUCTION. WHAT I NEED TO DO IS THANK A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAUSE THIS CAMPAIGN WAS SO DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHERS. WE DID MAKE HISTORY. AND WHEN YOU HAVE AN EFFORT THAT SOME THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED IN, YOU HAVE TO MENTION JUST A FEW OF THEM. I CAN'T MENTION ALL. I HOPE I DON'T INFER THAT ONLY THE ONES I'M ABLE TO THANK TONIGHT ARE THE ONES THAT I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO. FIRST MY FAMILY. I'D LIKE TO GET THEM TO STAND UP, ALTHOUGH THEY HATE THIS, I KNOW. MY HUSBAND JACK, WHO HAS BEEN JUST A PILLAR OF SUPPORT AND IS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL HIMSELF, SO CAN SYMPATHIZE WITH ME ON OCCASION. JACK, AT LEAST WAVE. [ APPLAUSE ] AND MY SISTER JANIS, WHO ALSO DOUBLES AS MY BEST FRIEND, WHICH IS UNUSUAL IN MY FAMILY, BUT WE MANAGED IT, AND WHO ALSO WORKS HARD FOR THE CITY. [ APPLAUSE ] AND MY MOM BACK THERE IN GREEN, WHO IS TRYING TO PROBABLY STAY OUT OF MY LINE OF SIGHT SO I WOULDN'T DO THIS. THANK YOU, MOM. [ APPLAUSE ] WE HAD A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE, BOTH WHO WERE WORKING ON THE EFFORTS OF THE PETITION AND THE CAMPAIGN EVERYDAY, IN THE OFFICE, OUT ON THE STREETS AND NEIGHBORHOODS, AT THE ARMADILLO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR. WE HAD JACK, WHO WORKED SO HARD IT WAS INCREDIBLE, KEVIN, WHO AFTER THE PETITION DRIVE WE SPLIT UP AND EACH CAMPAIGN, DARRYL'S AND MINE TOOK SOME OF THE MOTIVATION AND ENERGY THAT WAS ALREADY THERE AND TOOK IT INTO THE REST OF THE CAMPAIGN. ALFRED STANLEY, WHO RAISED FUNDS, WHO ALWAYS SAYS HE WILL NOT DO THIS AGAIN, BUT SO FAR WE'VE MANAGED TO MAKE HIM FORGET THAT HE SAID THAT EACH TIME. SPEAKING OF VOLUNTEERS WHO PUT SO MUCH TIME IN, THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM HERE, ELLIE AND ROSS ALONE FOR A COUPLE, RICKY BYRD, EDDIE WILSON, I'M NOT SURE IF HE'S HERE OR NOT, BUT HE DID SO MUCH FOR US BY OFFERING THAT VENUE, THREAD GILL'S SOUTH FOR US WHEN WE DIDN'T KNOW IF WE WOULD HAVE CAMPAIGN OFFICES, SO THAT'S WHERE WE SET UP SHOP. JUDY, ROBERTA CRENSHAW, PAUL ROBBINS, PAT, CINDY ARE JUST A FEW OF THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED SO HARD THAT I WANTED TO JUST MENTION THEM. CONNIE MALONE, TREVOR, RICHARD NOLTON, NATHANIEL AND SEVERAL OF THE UNIVERSITY DEMOCRATS WORKED REALLY, REALLY HARD. WENT OUT AND GOT THOSE NAMES, CHECKED THEM AND DOUBLE-CHECKED THEM. AND WHAT WAS REALLY TOUCHING TO ME ABOUT THAT WAS THAT A COUPLE OF THE FOLKS WHO WORKED REALLY HARD ON MY CAMPAIGNS LAST TIME AND THIS TIME WERE MY STUDENTS WHEN THEY WERE TINY CHILDREN. AND NOW THEY'VE GROWN UP, SO I GUESS I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TOO BAD. THEY'RE STILL WITH US AND THEY'RE OUT THERE. [ APPLAUSE ] AND THEY BELIEVE IN PARTICIPATING IN DEMOCRACY AND DEMOCRATIC AND AUSTIN POLITICS. THEY ARE VERY IDEALISTIC, WHICH I KNOW I DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH, BUT I THINK IT DOES ALL OUR HEARTS GOOD TO KNOW THEY ARE OUT THERE, THEY ARE NOT DISMISSING THE POLITICAL PROCESS, THEY ARE VOTING AND THEY'RE TELLING THEIR FRIEND. AND THEY WERE FROM THE OPEN DOOR. I WANT TO THANK ALSO THE ENDORSEMENT BODIES WHO ALSO DID A LOT TO HELP US. THE FAIRLY ECLECTIC GROUP, AND I WANT TO JUST HIT ON A FEW OF THEM BECAUSE THEY DID MUCH MORE THAN SIMPLY ENDORSE. AND IT'S A VERY ECLECTIC LIST, I'M GLAD TO SAY, BECAUSE WE DO NEED TO LOOK AT THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. SOME OF OUR TRADITIONAL WARS ARE SORT OF PASSE NOW AND I HOPE IN THIS NEW CENTURY WE MOVE FORWARD POSITIVELY AND ENERGETICALLY WITH POSITIVE GOALS WITH THAT MISSION. THE POWER FOR CLEAN WATER ACTION FOLKS WERE A GREAT HELP IN BOTH PETITION GATHERING AND THE ACTUAL IN THE ACTUAL CAMPAIGN. THE FIREFIGHTERS. THE DEMOCRATS, ESPECIALLY MY OWN HOME AUSTIN DEMOCRATS. AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOODS TOGETHER PAC AND THE CIRCLE C HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION BOTH FROM THERE AS WELL. WE ARE ONE BIG FAMILY, HAPPY OR NOT. AND WE DON'T HAVE TO BE HAPPY ALL THE TIME TO BE A FAMILY. AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THIS COMMUNITY IS. MICKEY, I JUST SAW HIM, HE HELPED WITH THOSE BIG SIGNS, WHICH WE TOOK DOWN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ELECTION. [ LAUGHTER ] AND LAST OF THE VOLUNTEERS, I'D LIKE TO THANK A COUPLE OF FOLKS WHO E-MAIL ME REGULARLY WITH PRODUCTIVE CRITICISM OF THE CAMPAIGN OR THERE AT THE BEGINNING, THE NON-CAMPAIGN, THE CAMPAIGN TO CAMPAIGN. SO I WANT TO THANK MAX RIDDELL, IDA MEHAM, RANDY. A COUPLE OF THESE PEOPLE ARE VERY CONSERVE SIEVE, SO I'M JUST GOING TO USE SCREEN NAMES BECAUSE THEIR FRIENDS MAY BE SHOCKED TO THINK THAT THEY WERE SUPPORTING ME. AND LAST OF ALL, FOR THE MOST CRITICAL THANKS THAT I NEED TO GIVE TONIGHT, WE HAVE IN PLACE 3 A FAIRLY LARGE GROUP OF CANDIDATES. IN TIMES PAST IT HASN'T BEEN THAT LARGE. THIS TIME, THOUGH, WE HAD LINDA CURTIS IN THIS RACE, WHO BROUGHT A GREAT DEAL OF HUMOR TO IT. SHE REALLY -- SHE SERIOUSLY -- I JUST TALKED MYSELF INTO A SENTENCE. THIS WAS NOT IN ANY WAY A FRIVOLOUS RACE FOR HER. SHE BROUGHT ISSUES TO THE TABLE, AND I'M VERY GLAD THAT SHE DID BECAUSE SOME OF THEM WERE NOT ONES THAT I THOUGHT ABOUT. I TOOK THEM FOR GRANTED. AND SO I WAS HAPPY THAT WE DID GET THOSE ISSUES OUT AND SPOKE ABOUT THEM. AND LINDA BROUGHT HUMOR TO THE DEBATES, TO THE FORUMS, AND I WAS GRATEFUL FOR THAT AS WELL. ROBIN STALLINGS WAS A VERY HONORABLE MAN AND GOOD FRIEND WHO SAID THAT HE WOULD WITHDRAW IF ALL THE LEGAL THINGS WERE TAKEN CARE OF, AND HE DID. THERE ARE NOT MANY PEOPLE WHO WOULD DO THAT. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU, ROBIN. THAT WAS A GENTLEMANLY, VERY HONORABLE AND HONEST THING TO DO. I APPRECIATE IT. AND I THINK THAT PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER THAT. I'M GOING TO ALSO THANK ANOTHER CANDIDATE IN PLACE 3, BILLY SIFUENTES, WHO WAS ALSO A VERY FORMIDABLE AND HONORABLE CANDIDATE IN THAT RACE. HE ALSO BROUGHT ISSUES TO THE TABLE, WHICH I THINK THAT I BELIEVE MUCH AS HE DID DOES AND WILL TAKE CARE TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS THAT HE BROUGHT TO THE DEBATE. IF HE AND ROBIN CHOOSE TO ENTER INTO THE POLITICS OF CITY COUNCIL RACES ANOTHER TIME, I THINK THAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT A LITTLE BIT OF A REPUTATION FOR THAT HONORABLE COMMUNICATION AND PARTICIPATION TO THE FORE. SOMETIMES IN OUR RACES WE HAVE SOME FOLKS WHO ARE JUST LEARNING, WHO HAVEN'T REALLY PAID THEIR DUES YET, AND SOMETIMES THEY GET EATEN FOR LUNCH, BUT YOU DID NOT BECAUSE YOU BROUGHT A GREAT DEAL OF STATURE WITH YOU AND I WANT TO THANK YOU NOT FOR RUNNING IN MY RACE, BUT FOR BECOMING A FRIEND. [ APPLAUSE ] NOW, THAT WAS MOSTLY WHAT I WAS GOING TO SPEND MY TIME ON. AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT I WANTED TO BE TALL FOR THIS EVENING AND SO I AM WEARING WHAT I CALL TOBY SHOES. [ LAUGHTER ] WHICH MEANS -- SO I'M NOT GOING TO GO ON BUT A MINUTE MORE, WHICH IS TO SAY IT IS TIME, I THINK, FOR A VERY POSITIVE EFFORT FROM ALL OF US. WE DO HAVE THE TRADITIONAL BATTLES. AND ANGER HAS ITS PLACE, ANGER IS VALUABLE. IRRITATION IS VALUABLE. IT LETS YOU KNOW WHAT LINES ARE BEING CROSSED. BUT TO SPEND ALL OUR ENERGY ON THAT SORT OF RUSH IS NOT PRODUCTIVE FOR THE CITY. WE'RE IN A NEW CENTURY. DOWN ECONOMY OR NOT, THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW DAY AND A NEW WORLD, AND AUSTIN IS PARTICULARLY SITUATED TO DO WELL, TO BE A LEADER. WE ARE A CITY OF IDEAS, WE ARE A RIVER CITY AND WE ARE THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITOL OF THE WORLD. AND WITH ALL THAT, OUR VERY GREATEST ASSETS ARE THE SPECIAL PEOPLE WHO KEEP THOSE NICKNAMES COMING. AND SO I THINK -- OH, HI, JANET. I'M SORRY, I MISSED YOU. AND SO -- AND WAYNE. IN FACT, PRACTICALLY EVERYBODY HERE IS REALLY GREAT. [ LAUGHTER ] SO LET ME JUST SAY THAT MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION, AS IT WERE, IS TO PUT ASIDE THE GREAT JOY THAT I GET FROM AN OCCASIONAL FIGHT AND INSTEAD TAKE GREAT JOY IN MOVING US TOWARD A SOUND ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENTAL, EDUCATIONAL AND EQUITABLE STAGE OF AUSTIN'S DEVELOPMENT. AND I THINK WE'LL DO JUST FINE ONCE THIS ECONOMY STARTS MOVING UPWARD, WE'LL BE DOING JUST FINE. AND SO A POSITIVE OUTLOOK I THINK WILL HELP US MORE THAN ANYTHING. SO THAT'S MY GOAL AND THAT'S MY PROMISE. THANKS. [ APPLAUSE ]

DUNKERLEY: SINCE I'M THE ROOKIE UP HERE, CAN'T I JUST SAY HOW GRATEFUL AND HAPPY I AM HERE TO BE. [ APPLAUSE ] AND I KNOW I WOULD NOT BE HERE WITHOUT THE HELP OF A LOT OF PEOPLE. MANY OF YOU WHO ARE IN THIS ROOM AND MANY OF THEM WHO COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY. SO I WOULD JUST KIND OF LIKE TO GO IN GROUPS AND RECOGNIZE SOME OF MY FAMILY. I HAVE A VERY LARGE FAMILY. AND THEY CERTAINLY HELPED ME A LOT DURING THE CAMPAIGN. MY MOTHER IS HERE. SO ARE MY SISTERS, MY GRANDDAUGHTERS. AND I'D LIKE THAT WHOLE CONTINGENCY JUST TO STAND UP. [ APPLAUSE ] AND MY EXTENDED FAMILY TOO. MY EXTENDED FAMILY TOO. AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK A VERY, VERY DEDICATED CAMPAIGN STAFF. WE WERE ALL SO EXPERIENCED AND WE HAD A GREAT TIME. SO THANK YOU. I REALLY COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THE INCREDIBLE JOB THAT ALL OF YOU DID. AND THEN MY REAL SECRET WEAPON WERE THE VOLUNTEERS. I HAD PEOPLE THAT WERE STUFFING ENVELOPES, STAFFING PHONE BANKS, THAT WERE TELLING ME ALL THE THINGS THAT I NEEDED TO DO AND I DID EVERYTHING THEY TOLD ME TO DO. SO FOR YOU, ALL OF YOU I'M VERY, VERY GRATEFUL. THERE WERE MANY FOLKS WHO CONTRIBUTED DOLLARS, LOTS OF ADVICE AND SUPPORT. AND AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THOSE, ALL OF THOSE EFFORTS. AND IT WAS JUST EXTREMELY APPRECIATED. I THINK MOST OF ALL, THOUGH, I HAVE TO THANK THE VOTERS BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES THAT HAVE GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAND HERE TODAY AND TO BE SWORN IN. AND I'M SO HAPPY AND SO GRATEFUL. AND I WILL TRY TO DO A VERY GOOD JOB TO REPRESENT ALL OF YOU AND HELP -- I CAN'T HELP BUT GET CHOKED UP A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A MIRACLE FOR ME TO BE HERE. [ APPLAUSE ] I THINK YOU CAN TELL HOW EXCITED I AM, BUT IT'S ALSO A TIME OF SOME VERY SERIOUS DECISION MAKING AND A TIME FOR ALL OF US TO HAVE SOME GREAT OPPORTUNITIES HERE IN THE CITY. AND I THINK THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IS TO BALANCE THIS BUDGET. AND I THINK -- I KNOW THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE STAFF HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS, SO WE'RE GOING TO GET IT DONE. IT'S GOING TO BE HARD, THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME PAIN, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE DONE BEFORE, AND WE'LL DO IT AGAIN. AND SO DON'T WORRY. IT WILL BE OKAY. THAT'S WHAT I ALWAYS USED TO TELL THE STAFF. IT WILL BE OKAY. [ APPLAUSE ] I THINK THE OTHER PRIORITIES I'LL FOCUS ON WILL BE THOSE PRIORITIES THAT I DEALT WITH IN THE CAMPAIGN, THE IDEA THAT WE NEED TO HAVE AN AFFORDABLE CITY HERE IN AUSTIN. THAT ALL OF US WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A JOB. WE ALL WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A HOME THAT WE CAN AFFORD, THAT WE CAN FEEL SAFE IN. WE WANT A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT. WE WANT TO HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE IN THIS COMMUNITY. AND THOSE ARE THE ISSUES THAT I HEARD MANY OF YOU TALK ABOUT AND THEY'RE THE ISSUES THAT I WILL FOCUS ON. THE OTHER CITY COUNCILMEMBERS SUPPORT THESE SAME ISSUES, AND I THINK THAT AS A TEAM WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE HELP OF A VERY QUALIFIED CITY STAFF, WE'LL BE ABLE TO MAKE A LOT OF PROGRESS IN REACHING SOME OF THESE GOALS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE AREA OF JOB GROWTH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, I THINK ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE NEED TO DO IS DEVELOP A VERY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THIS CITY. NOT ONLY WITH THE TRADITIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES WHERE WE DO NEED TO PARTNER I THINK MORE CREATIVELY AND BETTER WITH THE COMMUNITY IN SEEKING NEW BUSINESSES AND EXPANDED BUSINESSES HERE IN AUSTIN, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO ADD TO THAT PLAN SOME EFFORTS TO REACH THOSE AREAS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT HAVE HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES. AND SOMEHOW BRING THAT GROUP OF PEOPLE INTO THE ECONOMIC LIFE OF THIS CITY. AND THEN FINALLY, I THINK WE NEED TO FOCUS ON WHAT I THINK THE COMMON JARGON IS NOW, THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES IN AUSTIN. BECAUSE IT PROBABLY WILL BE THESE CREATIVE ENERGIES, THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES THAT MAY BE WELL THE ECONOMIC DRIVERS IN THE FUTURE. NOT ONLY OF OUR COMMUNITY, BUT OF THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE. I THINK ALSO IN THE AREA OF JOB GROWTH WE'VE GOT TO REMEMBER THAT OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, NO MATTER WHAT SECTOR THEY'RE IN, WILL BE WHAT WILL BE CREATING THE MAJORITY OF THE NEW JOBS. WE NEED TO DO SOME THINGS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO GROW AND PROSPER IN THIS COMMUNITY. WE NEED TO -- I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I'LL RECOMMEND IMMEDIATELY IS OVER THE NEXT YEAR, AT LEAST, LET'S TRY TO LOWER THE UTILITY RATES FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES SO THAT THEY CAN STAY IN BUSINESS AND DEVELOP THE JOBS THAT WE NEED. [ APPLAUSE ] IN THE AREA OF HOUSING, I THINK WE HAVE SOME GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF HOUSING BY WORKING WITH OUR SMART HOUSING PROGRAM. AND BY LEVERAGING OUR FEDERAL DOLLARS TO IN THE FINANCING GAPS THAT WE HAVE IN SOME OF OUR PROJECTS AND IN OUR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS PROGRAM. SUPPORTING CHANGES IN OUR PROCESSES THAT WILL ALLOW A PRIVATE DEVELOPER TO MORE EASILY BUILD HOUSES HERE CHEAP ARE AND FASTER AND SIMPLER. THOSE WILL CREATE HOUSING FOR OUR WORKFORCE SO THAT THEY CAN LIVE CLOSER TO THEIR JOBS AND IT WILL ALSO HAVE AN INDIRECT GOOD EFFECT ON OUR ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE WE WON'T HAVE AS MUCH OF A TRAFFIC PROBLEM AS WE HAVE NOW. SO I THINK THAT'S AN EFFORT THAT ALL OF THE CITY COUNCIL CAN CERTAINLY GET BEHIND. AND FINALLY, IN THE AREA OF HEALTH CARE, WHICH IS ONE OF THE AREAS THAT I HAVE A PARTICULAR INTEREST, I WANT TO SEE US REALLY WORK ON MAKING HELL CARE MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR THE -- HEALTH CARE MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR THE POOR IN THIS COMMUNITY. [ APPLAUSE ] THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS THE ONLY MAJOR CITY IN TEXAS THAT'S TAKEN ON THE ROLE OF BEING THE SAFETY NET FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO INSURANCE AND CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY. AND IN THAT EFFORT RIGHT NOW OUR CLINICS ARE BURSTING AT THE SEAMS. OUR EMERGENCY ROOMS ARE CROWDED. AND I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND THE SUPPORT THAT WE ADD A 24 HOUR HEALTH CLINIC TO OUR SYSTEM TO HELP RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF PRIMARY CARE PATIENTS WHO HAVE NOWHERE TO GO EXCEPT OUR EMERGENCY ROOMS. [ APPLAUSE ] AND FINALLY, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THIS COUNCIL AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE VARIOUS COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS. NOT ONLY TO MAKE OUR CITY MORE AFFORDABLE, BUT TO HELP PRESERVE THE DIVERSITY AND THE TOLERANCE AND THE CREATIVITY THAT REALLY MAKE AUSTIN THE CITY THAT WE LOVE. AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO THANK ALL OF YOU AGAIN, THANK ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE HELPED PUT ME HERE TODAY AND JUST TELL YOU TO GO OUT AND I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING AND LET'S ALL GO AND ENJOY OURSELVES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ].

GOODMAN: OKAY. I'M GOING TO REVERSE WHAT'S ON THE PROGRAM A LITTLE BIT. THE CLOSING REMARKS I THINK SHOULD COME BEFORE WE ADJOURN THE MEETING, IF THAT'S OKAY WITH COUNSEL. AND I HAVE A MESSAGE FROM MAYOR GARCIA. HIS APOLOGIES AGAIN THAT HE'LL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY FOR COUNCILMEMBER SLUSHER, DUNKERLEY AND GOODMAN. HE'S LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING WITH EACH OF YOU AND CONTINUING THE ONGOING PARTNERSHIP IN PROVIDING THE BEST PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN. AND HE ALSO WANTS US TO KNOW THAT IN THE MESSAGE TO THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN, PARTICULARLY THOSE ATTENDING THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY BECAUSE YOU ARE THE ONES WHO ARE MOST INVOLVED, IT SAYS I BELIEVE THIS IS A CRUCIAL TIME FOR AUSTIN, AND DESPITE THE TOUGH ECONOMIC SITUATION, WE WILL NOT ALLOW THIS TO DETER AND DISTURB THE LEVEL OF SERVICES OUR CITIZENS HAVE COME TO EXPECT. I AM COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNCIL TO ENSURE THAT WE LEVERAGE OUR MUNICIPAL DOLLARS TO MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT MAKES AUSTIN UNIQUE. AS MAYOR I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT WE CANNOT HAVE A GREAT CITY IF WE DO NOT STRIVE TO PROVIDE THE BEST PUBLIC SERVICE THAT OUR CITIZENS DESERVE. THANK YOU ALL, AND HE WILL SEE US SOON. THANKS, GUS, WHEREVER YOU ARE RIGHT NOW. THE FINAL REMARKS I THINK CAN BE HANDLED BY READING THAT MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR AND TO TELL YOU THAT THERE'S ONE ANNOUNCEMENT. I THINK YOU ALL PROBABLY KNOW ABOUT THE PARTY AFTER THE CONVENTION CENTER AT THE ELKS LODGE ON DAWSON. AND IF YOU DON'T, THERE'S A PARTY AT THE ELKS LODGE ON DAWSON. IT'S SOUTH OF THE DOUGHERTY ARTS CENTER AND THERE WILL BE BALLOONS AND THINGS AT THE DRIVEWAY. SO COME ON OVER WHEN YOU'RE THROUGH WITH THE CAJUN BUFFET. AND THE OTHER THING BEFORE WE TAKE OUR LAST ACTION OF THIS MEETING IS SOME OF THE FOLKS I DIDN'T THANK WHEN IT WAS MY TURN TO THANK, I FORGOT LAWYERS THIS TIME. WE DID HAVE SOME GREAT LAWYERS AND I WANTED TO BE SURE THEY KNEW THAT I KNOW THEY WERE GREAT. EXPENSIVE OR NOT, THEY WERE WORTH EVERY PENNY. AND ALSO THE ANIMAL PROTECTORS AND RESCUERS WERE ALSO VERY INVOLVED IN HELPING US PUT THOSE PETITIONS IN THE CAMPAIGN. AND THE VERY FINAL, FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT IS I HAVE RESCUED KITTENS WHO NEED PARENTS. AND WITH THAT, COUNCILMEMBERS, ARE WE READY TO ADJOURN.

SO MOVE.

SLUSHER: SECOND.

GOODMAN: ALL IN FAVOR? WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ].

FUTRELL: IF YOU WILL JOIN US, REVEREND PARKER WILL BE DOING THE BENEDICTION.

SHALL WE STAND. LORD, BLESS THEE AND KEEP THEE. MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPON THEE. LIFT UP HIS COUNTENANCE UPON THEE AND GIVE YOU PEACE. AMEN.

AMEN.

FUTRELL: ALL RIGHT. I SAY LET'S PARTY.

End of Council Session Closed Caption Log