Competitive Place 3 campaign for Austin City Council

By attending the No Kill Coalition's candidates' forum on Sunday, May 1st, it was hard to discern a major difference in support for No Kill among the candidates for Place 3, the only competitive race in Austin's City Council election on Saturday, May 14. All three candidates for Place 3 pledged support for City Council's No Kill goal. The candidates' responses to the questionnaire sent out by FixAustin also showed that all three Place 3 contenders support No Kill.

Yet a number of Austin Pets Alive leaders are expressing personal support for Randi Shade. The Austin American Statesman endorsed incumbent Council Member Shade. Council Member Mike Martinez has also indicated his support for her. The Austin Chronicle, on the other hand, endorsed Kathie Tovo. The Sierra Club and environmental activists have also endorsed Ms. Tovo.

With the Austin community at large split on Place 3, it's possible that, if it turns out to be a close race, animal advocates may be able to make a difference...unless we split in the same manner as the rest of the community. It would be interesting to hear more from animal advocates on why they support one candidate or another. The fact that Austin Pets Alive leaders have endorsed Council Member Shade is likely to cause some APA followers, but not all, to vote with their leaders. But as we know, the Austin animal community is not just APA. Although APA has been more visible and active politically than other animal welfare organization, we have diverse views on a number of key issues that affect animals.

If you have not been paying attention to the Place 3 race, maybe you can take some time between now and next Saturday to look at the candidates' positions and make your opinions known. Whoever is elected in Place 3 will be sitting on City Council when the Council makes one of the most important decisions affecting the lives of homeless pets that will be made this decade - what to do about the current shelter facility once the shelter moves to Levander Loop. It deserves a little bit of your time and attention in the next 6 days.

Pat Valls-Trelles