Four Points to vote in new district 6

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

River Place residents, along with some others in Four Points, will soon have a stronger voice in their representation on the Austin City Council, with the implementation of the city’s new 10-ONE council. The first election for the city’s new 10-ONE council elections will be Nov. 4, with the new council taking office on Jan. 1, 2015.

River Place is located within district 6 and so are several other Four Points areas to the north of RM-2222 and some in Comanche Trail. The Steiner Ranch peninsula is not in the district except those bordering areas close to Lake Austin. Other neighborhoods in district 6 are Anderson Mill, Riata, Robinson Ranch and Avery Ranch.

The portion of District 6 that is in Four Points is in green.
City of Austin provided the map.

Since the filing period opened July 19, four candidates have entered the race for the district 6 council seat. The filing period will close Aug. 18. One of the top issues for each candidate is transportation.

Voters will have the chance to hear from candidates directly at two upcoming candidate forums in September. They are:

City Council Candidate Forum: Sept. 15 from 6–9 p.m. for districts 6 and 10. Riverbend Baptist Church, 4214 N. Capital of Texas Hwy.www.austintexas.gov/department/10-one

Anderson Mill Neighborhood Association: Sept. 28 from 3–5 p.m. Anderson Mill Community Center, 11500 El Salido Parkway.www.andersonmillna.com

District 6 is the only district made up of a majority of Republican voters. According to a presentation by the city’s demographer, district 6 is made up of 64.4 percent of white voters, followed by 15.1 percent Hispanic voters. It has the largest percentage of Asian voters, with 13.3 percent.

The move to change Austin to geographic representation was approved by voters Nov. 6, 2012, as Proposition 3. The city was divided into 10 districts by a 14-member Citizens Redistricting Commission.

Under the city’s Charter Amendment, the mayor will continue to be elected citywide, the 10 other Council Members will no longer be elected citywide, but only by voters in which they live. The council is expanded from seven to 11 members.

Residents can look up their district by searching their address at www.austintexas.gov/GIS/CouncilDistrictMap/

District 6 Candidates

Jimmy Flannigan, 36

Occupation: Business owner, Site Street

Top issues: Traffic, affordability, public safety

www.jimmyflannigan.com, www.facebook.com/flanniganforaustin,Twitter: @jimmyflannigan

Pete Phillips, 45

Occupation: Special security officer and director of anti-terrorism/threat analysis for the Texas National Guard

Top issues: Education, affordability, transportation

www.peteforaustin.com, www.facebook.com/peteforaustin,Twitter: @peteforaustin

Matt Stillwell, 38

Occupation: Owner of independent insurance agency