Making city improvements lies in residents’ hands
Making city improvements lies in residents’ hands
Written by John Garrett Tuesday, 07 March 2006
The last month has been a testament to citizens getting involved at the local level. Deanna Burleson started a quest to have a strip club project stopped near Pflugerville. The odds were against her, but her desire to make her community better proved that if we want change, we can make it happen.
You may be wondering, “How do I get involved when I want change? Who do I call?” One of the goals for this issue was to bring the local city and county elected seats to light. We wanted to explore who the elected officials are and what they do. We feel knowing this information will help our readers make better voting decisions and know who to call when they need help.
We teach our kids about how government works in school, but remembering it once we leave the classroom is not a top priority until something that impacts us directly comes up. Community Impact Newspaper is a tool to help readers better understand their community. Knowing who the elected officials are and what their jobs entail helps to understand how they can help when we need them.
Deanna’s fight included the assistance of local elected officials. District 50 State Representative Mark Strama and Travis County Commissioner Karen Sonleitner worked with Deanna and community leaders to begin discussions with the developer, Alex Bahrami. Bahrami informed Sonleitner’s office that he has elected to pull out of the land deal.
When Deanna first called me in early January, I felt there was little she could do. There was nothing illegal about the strip club project – all the due diligence was done. The thing Bahrami didn’t count on, was an extraordinary act of citizenship.
Concerned citizens and business owners met with city officials and the Texas Department of Transportation, Feb.21, at Round Rock City Hall to discuss the proposed closure of the McNeil exit on IH 35. Because of a concerned landowner, Anne Giddings, more than 200 citizens came together to organize a plan. To see ordinary citizens like Giddings work to bring attention to this project inspires others to speak up on issues that concern them.
These citizens are working to make a significant impact on the future of our community. Keep this in mind as we begin to elect local officials. Our information will help you better understand how local government works, and you’ll be able to use this information as you need it.
John Garrett
Publisher
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