April 28, 2009 | Yvonne Lim Wilson
Advertisements
Elastik Pixel Web design. Works with local Austin businesses to create their custom Website vision. Get your free online estimate or call (512) 680-8142.
We specialize in Orthokeratology - vision correction while you sleep.
The Capital Area Asian-American Democrats announced their endorsements for Austin Mayor and City Council last month for the upcoming Austin Municipal Election on Saturday, May 9.
CAAAD members voted on each candidate following a multi-Democratic club candidate forum on March 10 at Gardner Betts Juvenile Center. Each club was given the opportunity to ask one question of each race. Two of those questions were submitted in writing beforehand and one was asked verbally at the forum.
CAAAD endorses Lee Leffingwell for Austin Mayor, Chris Riley for Austin City Council Place 1, Mike Martinez for Austin City Council Place 2 and Sheryl Cole for Austin City Council Place 6. No endorsement vote took place for Place 5 because the race is uncontested.
CAAAD president Ramey Ko commented on each candidate who was endorsed by a majority member vote.
“Lee has always been there for the party and stood progressive values we care about. He’s someone in tune with the community. Our members definitely feel he is someone who cares about sitting down with individuals and their concerns.”
“Chris Riley was very articulate and specific about Asian American issues [such as language barriers] in a way that was impressive to people. He seems to be engaged with the issues.”
“Mike is a no brainer. You probably can’t find a more passionate spokesperson for people of color.”
Following are excerpts from candidates’ written responses to CAAAD questions submitted prior to the forum:
Q: What challenges and barriers to full and equal access to city services do you believe Asian Americans in Austin currently face and what do you plan on doing in office in the next three years to address them?
Lee Leffingwell: “Obviously we need to continue to devote ourselves to ensuring that all city services are equally accessible to all people in every part of the community. In my opinion, the primary barriers for our growing Asian-American community are centered around language and culture. The first challenge is relatively straightforward – we have to ensure that all information that the city makes available to facilitate the delivery of services to our citizens is available in every language that our citizens speak. We also need to have quick, easy access to skilled translators when written communication fails … The other primary barrier – culture – can obviously be more complicated to overcome, but I think the short answer is that we simply have to be devoted to ongoing cultural awareness training for city employees who are on the front lines of service delivery, and do our best to ensure they are able to work effectively with citizens of every background.”
Brewster McCracken: No response received at time of printing.
Carole Keeton Strayhorn: No response, did not attend forum.
Josiah James Ingalls: “Some of the immediate steps I would take to address and correct these barriers are that I would promote and help create more classes for English as a second language and work to make these classes affordable or at no cost to the citizens.”
Jason Morales: “By encouraging education and understanding about Asian Americans, their culture and their valued role in Austin, equality can be achieved. If elected, I plan on encouraging and promoting the diversity of Austin, especially Asian Americans.”
Sheryl Cole: “I recognize that we have a significant and rapidly growing Asian and South Asian community in Austin that is not fully engaged in the City. It is exciting that Austin is attractive to the Asian American community and in my second term, I will work in trying to include them further in specific outreach efforts … It is my responsibility that we provide full and equal access to all citizens of Austin, regardless of color, and I am working with the City’s Office of the Police Monitor, Minority Business Enterprise Department and Small Business Development Program on correcting some of these barriers. In addition to working with the Asian Chambers of Commerce, I will research other ways to better serve the Asian American community and realize that the 2010 census will show the imperative it is to engage this burgeoning population in our City.”
Samuel Osemene: No response received at time of printing.
Mike Martinez was given the question verbally at the forum. He answered that Asian Americans need social services, access to jobs and healthcare. “The issues Asian Americans face are no different from others. We’re all struggling through this economy. We’re trying to keep our jobs and take care of our families.”
ADVERTISEMENTS
Chinatown. New downtown location. Dim Sum. Sushi. Tea. Spirits.
Satay, the Asian cookery in Austin, TX.
Camp Lucy Event Center features restored buildings imported from Vietnam.
0 comments - be the first to comment!