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AUGUST 4, 2017
VOLUME 36, NUMBER 49
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CONTENTS
AUGUST 4, 2017
VOLUME 36, NUMBER 49
CO-EDITOR & CO-PUBLISHER Nick Barbaro
CO-EDITOR & CO-PUBLISHER Louis Black
EXPERIENCE2017
EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kimberley Jones
NEWS Chase Hoffberger
ASSISTANT NEWS, GAY PLACE
Sarah Marloff
SEPT. 14 16, 2017 ARTS Robert Faires
FOOD Brandon Watson
SCREENS Josh Kupecki
Badges ON SALE NOW MUSIC Raoul Hernandez
WEB James Renovitch
CALENDAR
CALENDAR, CLUBS & SPORTS LISTINGS
INWARD AND ARTWARD Mark Fagan
ARTS LISTINGS Wayne Alan Brenner
with Storybar and
STAFF WRITERS
rotating yoga instructors Kevin Curtin, Michael King,
Mary Tuma, Richard Whittaker
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
WRANGLING YOUR ARTIST’S FILM Marjorie Baumgarten
DEAR GLUTTON Emily Beyda 44 COVER STORY: No Recess
STATEMENT DAY TRIPS Gerald E. McLeod PHOTO BY SHELLEY HIAM
MR. SMARTY PANTS R.U. Steinberg
with the Story Wranglers
PRODUCTION 5 FEEDBACK 32 SCREENS
ART DIRECTOR Jason Stout
THE NUTSHELL TECHNIQUE PRODUCTIWOENB M DAIRNEACGTEORR C Bhrriias nL iBnanrerny
with Jill Chamberlain DIGITAL STRATEGY Michael Bartnett
STAGFRFA PPHHOICTO DGERSAIPGHNEERRSS J Zoehkne A Bndaerbrsaorno,, JJaenfaf GBairmchmumill 4 NEWS
PROOFREADERS Kat McNevins, Greg Stitt,
HELLA GOOD CONTENT Danielle White 4 POINT AUSTIN
INTERNS Katarina Brown, Isabella Castro-Cota,
with Meredith Gonsalves Sierra Diaz, Ben Dickerson, Thea Diklich-Newell, BY MICHAEL KING
MarMiao nMreoned, eJez,n nBirfieSrh Monu rMphityc,h Veilcl,t oMrioan Mtinyicquuee, 6 PUBLIC NOTICE
INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS Annalise Pasztor, Chelsea Pribble, Rachel BY NICK BARBARO
Rascoe, Monserrat Sanchez, Kali Venable,
with Robynne Trifiletti Tucker Whatley CIVICS 101
ADVERTISINGA DIDREVCTOER RCaTssIidSy IFNrazGier 7 Naked City; Council; City
INTRODUCTION TO GOOGLE SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Jerald Corder, Budget; Lege Lines; Planned
Bobby Leath, Elizabeth Nitz, Parenthood; AFD; Graffiti
ANALYTICS with Sara Brinton Carolyn Phillips, Lois Richwine Crackdown; Cross Creek; 32
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Carly Callahan, David
Kleppe, Marisa Mirabal and more
5 MUST HAVE’S FOR YOUR PR LEGAOL PNEORTAITCIEOSN JSe CsOsiOcRaD NINeAsTbOitRt 12 THE HIGHTOWER 32 FINDING THE RIGHT (DIAL) TONE The Obvious Child
PLAN with David Wyatt DIGITAL CKOriOsRtiDnIeN TAoTfOtRe RBYE PJIOMR HTI G HTOWER returns with Landline BY JESSI CAPE
COPYRIGHT BASICS & MMAARRKKEETTIINNGG DMIRANECATGOERR /KPaRrT eSanamara aRrh o PWgreiocrlesf 14 INFINITE LOOP 1 Mopac, 33 MBYY J OAMBSEES SRSEINOONV PITlaCyHe rUnknown’s Battlegrounds
REGISTRATION TIPS FOR LUSVT DREOECT/ CTIERACMU LKAeTlsIOeNy /BSaPkEeCrI,A SL oEmVEmNeTrS BDraung aHl,a Ardnincak 14 CmHe2sMs ,t haantd n tehvee re expnednss ive 34 FILM LISTINGS Detroit, The Emoji Movie, Fun Mom Dinner,
CREATIVE TYPES Cherian, Andrea Dane, Andrea Fuentes, Daniela BY BRADEN MACCKE and Landline
Garcia, Orchid Garcia, Sandra Gisi, Lisa Gossett,
with Amy Mitchell Ashley Greenstein, Jenna Herrington, Elias 40 SHOWTIMES
Huerta, Will Josma, Allen Martinez, Patricia May,
Bobby Mickey, Camille Morell, Andrew Osegi, 19 NEWS OF THE WEIRD
Jonas Spira, Coka Trevino, Ally Warren
THE PRICE IS RIGHT: WHERE TO NATIONAL ADVERTISING Voice Media Group
(888/278-9866, www.vmgadvertising.com) 42 MUSIC
TWEAK YOUR PRICING TO OFFICE STAFF 18 CALENDAR
MAKE MORE MONEY OFFCICOEN MTRAONLALGEERR LJiezs Fsria Cnakpline 42 PLAYBACK BY
with A.J. Watson CREDIT MANAGER cindy soo KEVIN CURTIN
INAFCOC DOEUSNKT/ISNUGB ASSCSRISIPTTAINOTN CS hCealsrreiea YToauylnogr 20 ARTS & CULTURE 44 AVOIDING THE
GRAFFITI: LEARN THE HISTORY, SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR Brandon Watkins SOPHOMORE
PRACTICE THE ART with Mez Data Leticia de la Vega, PCerIryR DMCraRkU.e P, AJLaWrAPedUT LEAsIRqO uHiavNnelk, 20 CBrToHwUniLnHg US pHeUncMeOr fRin Aduss tthine aliugthhtoerr Wsidilleia omf 18 SNLapUpMinPg ,X Seutassp,i rAialenxs ,
Tom Fairchild, Ruben Flores, Jonina Foel-Sommers, Lovecraft and other horrors BY MIKE BERRY Phoebe Hunt, and
INTRO TO AERIALS Andrew Gerfers, Suzette Johnson, Kevin Kinkade, Kiko Villamizar all
Eric McKinney, Grant Melcher, Paul Minor, 21 ARTS REVIEWS released sophomore
with Sky Candy Norm Reed, Nick Roseman, Zeb Sommers, Monty Python’s Spamalot, A Shoe Story, triumphs 42
Bryan Zirkelbach
CONTRIBUTORS and “Radiant: A Group Show” 46 RECOMMENDED
LEATHER WORKING Sam Anderson-Ramos, Greg Beets, Mike Berry, 25 GAY PLACE BY SARAH MARLOFF THIS WEEK The Sword guitarist Kyle Shutt coughs up Pink
Rob Brezsny, Jessi Cape, Isabella Castro-Cota,
with Noah Marion Joseph Caterine, Elizabeth Cobbe, Steve Davis, 26 COMMUNITY LISTINGS Floyd tribute Doom Side of the Moon, plus the Queenz tour
Thomas Fawcett, Doug Freeman, David Brendan with Nite Jewel, Royal Thunder, Summer Slaughter tour,
Hall, Shelley Hiam, Nina Hernandez, Sam Hurt, 27 DAY TRIPS BY GERALD E. MCLEOD Waxahatchee, Wagoneers, Tobin Sprout, TM88, 2 Chainz, In
And 30 more AlejanBdrraa dReanm Miraecz,c kRea,c Lhaenl cRea sMcyoeer,s J, eTnh eSao rNeenwseenll,, SOCCER WATCH BY NICK BARBARO tmhuec Vha mlleoyr eBelow, South San Gabriel, Cruz de Navajas, and
Kahron Spearman, Tim Stegall, Michael Toland,
workshops, Libby Webster, Danielle White, Todd V. Wolfson 48 VENUES
and counting... 28 FOOD 50 ROADSHOWS + CLUB LISTINGS
28 FIRST LOOK
Nickel City BACK
www.cmbxp.com
DEAR GLUTTON
BY EMILY BEYDA 60 THE LUV DOC
PROGRAMMING BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Tbhye T Ahues Atiuns tCinh rCohnrioclnei c(lIeS SCNo:r p1o0ra7t4io-0n7 w4e0e)k ilsy p5u2b ltiismheeds 30 FOOD FIGHT SHOT IN THE DARK
per year at 4000 N. I-35, Austin, TX 78751. Pickles COMIX
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All rights reserved. WATSON MR. SMARTY PANTS
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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 61 CLASSIFIEDS
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and résumés) are not returned.
2 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE AUGUST 4, 2017 austinchronicle.com
austinchronicle.com AUGUST 4, 2017 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE 3
NEWS
QUOTE WEEK
of the
“Our property taxes are no longer a local
property tax. From this day forward, let’s
call it what it is: a state property tax.”
– Mayor Steve Adler on the state’s recapture of local property taxes
HEADLINES
CITY COUNCIL RETURNED
to work in ear-
nest this week, with a work session Tuesday, the
formal proposed budget presentation
Wednesday, and a stuffed agenda today, Aug. 3.
See “All This & Budget Too,” p.8.
THE BIG AGITA
at Tuesday’s work session was
over the Parks and Rec draft of the Aquatic Master
Plan, as council members reacted sharply against
the implication that without significant additional
funding, some of the city’s 51 pool facilities might
have to be closed. Council will ponder the problem
over the next few weeks.
CAPITAL METRO PRESIDENT
and CEO
Linda Watson announced Monday that she plans to
retire on Dec. 31 after seven years of service. Cap
Metro’s board will appoint an interim CEO if a per-
manent successor is not found by the end of the year.
APD HAS PULLED
all 400 of its Ford Police
Interceptors after heightened concerns about the
leaking of carbon monoxide from the engine into State Reps. Wayne Faircloth, R-Galveston, and
Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, read Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax
the souped-up Explorers’ cabins. Twenty different
during Storytime to Defend Texas Trees under the
cops have already tested positive for elevated lev-
heritage oak on the Capitol grounds on Wednesday
els of carbon monoxide.
morning. Senate Bill 14, which would ban local
ordinances that provide protections to heritage trees,
WEDNESDAY PUBLIC PARKING
hours in M passed through the Senate last Wednesday on a 17-14
the Downtown area expanded on Tuesday (Aug. 1) HU vote, and awaits action in the House.
C
to require payment through midnight. R
BI
Previously, parking on Wednesdays only required A
N
payment through 6pm. JA
AUSTIN ENERGY ANNOUNCED Through the Looking Glass
confirma-
tion of a 200-megawatt wind energy contract with
Avangrid Renewables, authorized by City Council
in June. The Gulf-based project brings AE’s wind CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERS ITS THREATENED BUDGET IN A TOPSY-TURVY TEXAS
power to 1,300 MW, along with more than 600 MW
of solar coming online soon.
A legislative hearing broke out at City 2018 AISD will retain only $1,965, while “Yet in this Alice in Wonderland world,
Council’s budget work session Wednesday returning $1,378 to the state for redistribu­ state leaders are blaming local governments
ECONOMICS OF SB 4
A new study by the
morning. The occasion was the formal pre­ tion. Simultaneously, the typical overlap­ for their property tax increases. … If the
Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance predicts SB 4,
sentation of the city manager’s proposed ping tax bill (city, school district, other Legislature wants to do something about
the bill punishing so-called “sanctuary cities,”
budget, during which Depu ty Chief jurisdictions) has risen from $4,653 to increasing property taxes, they need to fix
could cost Texas $13.8 billion and 248,000 jobs.
Financial Officer Ed Van $6,070. (About $190 of that our broken school finance system. …”
They calculated the figures based on the assumption
Eenoo (aka “The Budget four­year, $1,417 increase is
that 10% of undocumented laborers would leave Who’s Robbin’ Who?
Guy”) focused briefly on the in city taxes.) And the state’s
the state when SB 4 takes effect in September. POINT
spiking effect of state public 2018 bite of property taxes – The mayor’s outburst triggered a predict­
FORENSICS FOR FREE school recapture over the last AUSTIN $1,378 – will for the first time able response from District 8 Council Mem­
Texas’ Department
several years – specifically exceed the city’s, anticipated ber (and sole Republican) Ellen Troxc lair,
of Public Safety won’t be charging law enforce- noting that for Fiscal Year BY at $1,251. who argued that city budget policies pro­
ment agencies for forensic work after all, according MICHAEL
2018, while Aus tin ISD prop­ The implication was not mote local “Robin Hood” redistribution –
to a statement issued last Friday, July 28. See “DPS
erty taxes continue to KING lost on Mayor Steve Adler, e.g., for affordable housing and other pro­
Pulls Back on Forensics Charges” online for details.
increase because of recap­ who delivered a statement grams – but the mayor complains when the
ture (aka “Robin Hood”), the that read, in part: “So to be shoe is on the other foot. She also described
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
Securi-what?
district will actually be keep­ clear, property taxes are no Austin as “one of the most egregious viola­
Former Texas governor and current Secre tary of
ing less revenue than the longer a local property tax. tors of the insane increases that we’ve seen
Energy Rick Perry continues to fall forward. On
year before. From this day forward, let’s call it what it in our taxes.”
Wednesday, news broke that he’s a finalist to
That decline dates from 2014, when a really is. Ours is a state property tax. And Adler responded that Austin’s property
replace recently anointed White House Chief of
typical tax bill (on a median value home) the recent increases by the state of property tax rate compares favorably to those of
Staff John Kelly as Secretary of Homeland Security.
generated $2,032 for AISD. Although the taxes has been extreme, geometric, and other major Texas cities, then recalled his
overall residential tax bill – driven primari­ irresponsible. … The state’s take is growing own efforts (as a Senate aide in the Nineties)
REP. DAWNNA DUKES
declined a plea offer
ly by school taxes – continues to rise, in FY five times faster than city property taxes. …
CONTINUED ON P.6
from District Attorney Margaret Moore, paving the
way for her October trial. See “Lege Lines,” p.10.
ONLINE//DPS FORENSICS TESTS | DAWNNA DUKES | JOHN KELSO R.I.P. |AUSTINCHRONICLE.COM/NEWS
4 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE AUGUST 4, 2017 austinchronicle.com
FEEDBACK LETTERS & COMMENTS
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR must be signed with
full name and include daytime phone number,
DISAPPOINTED, NOT SURPRISED have never physically visited the state or U.S. full address, or email address. Letters should
be no longer than 300 words.
Capitol, but don’t feel disenfranchised.
Dear Editor, We should have a public discussion about the We reserve the right to edit all submissions.
Letters may not be edited, added to, or
As someone who is blind and paralyzed in a costs and benefits of enhanced accessibility, changed by sender once we receive them.
wheelchair, who just moved to Austin, I have to but conflating that topic with the right to partici-
say I was definitely disappointed but not surprised pate in political discourse is puerile. General email Paodsdtrmesasr:k sm afoilr@uamus:t i nchronicle.com
when I read this article [“Access Denied,” News, Mark Pulliam austinchronicle.com/forums/postmarks
July 28]. It is 2017! It is time that ALL public plac-
Mailing address: The Austin Chronicle,
es, historical or not, are made accessible to every- PO Box 4189, Austin, TX 78765
one. It is time that historical places live up to ADA WE MUST STAND UP
standards. The addition of ramps and other
Dear Editor,
accessibility features will not take away from the Regarding “Senate Speeds Through Anti- who had no other option.
historic value. I believe the inviting, all-inclusive Choice Bills” [Daily News, July 25]: It is unacceptable for us to allow our sisters
nature will only add to the value. Also, there When are our lawmakers going to realize that to continue to be sodomized and ridiculed for
should be absolutely no exceptions to ADA compli- the only way to prevent abortions from taking not having control of what happens with their
ance made for new and renovated construction place is to make preventive care more accessi- own bodies and to stand by while our lawmakers
projects that will be used for public purposes. ble and affordable? are creating a breeding ground for further
Everyone, no matter their ability, should have the Planned Parenthood, as stated in the article, crimes. We must stand up; we must protect
means for access so they can enjoy all public provides women with the proper resources to our sisters from further harm.
places. I encourage everyone to voice concern take control of their reproductive lives and have Karla Cruz
where all access is not available to the public.
the power to decide when they are ready to get
Thank you.
pregnant, if they wish. Unfortunately, not all
Keith Pevoto
women have resources like the ones Planned
Parenthood provides in order to determine for
FALSE PREMISE themselves when the right time to have a family
would be for them individually.
Dear Editor, Even more unfortunate is when women do not
A reasoned discussion of greater accessibility have access to affordable preventive care and are
to public buildings should not proceed from the forced to have intercourse without consent and
false premise that – absent unfettered physical therefore, if SB 8 were to pass, have no other
access – disabled persons are “barred from choice but to give birth in result of an involuntary
affecting policy” [“Access Denied,” News, July situation no one should ever have to live through.
28]. This is overwrought and just plain silly. All What banning insurance, or any other form of
citizens, regardless of mobility or ability, can financial assistance, from aiding in covering an
vote, make political contributions, support activ- abortion is undoubtedly doing is enhancing the
ist groups, and communicate with elected offi- stigmatization of women getting an abortion, but
cials via phone, email, and social media. also allowing rape culture to thrive through the
Are El Paso (or Panhandle) residents “barred state of Texas by not creating further repercus-
from affecting policy” at the Capitol due to their sions for those committing these horrendous
geographic separation from it? Most Texans crimes while burdening and blaming the women
austinchronicle.com AUGUST 4, 2017 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE 5
NEWS ARTS & CULTURE FOOD SCREENS MUSIC
POINT AUSTIN CONTINUED FROM P.4 Other People’s Money?
to adjust the school funding formulas that
hadn’t (and still haven’t) changed since the
Eighties and underfund Austin schools.
“Seventy­five percent of the property tax ACTUALLY, IT’S YOURS. DO YOU KNOW WHERE IT’S GOING?
increases come from public schools,” Adler
reiterated, “while AISD gets fewer dollars Last week I wrote about The Austin Envi­ August of 2016 … This could be enacted in state’s public school system (“Point Austin,”
than they were getting four years ago.” ron mental Directory 2017­18, a ninth-edi- a matter of weeks.” Second, and perhaps p.4), that he fired off a quick press release
With the gate open, several other CMs – tion resource recently released by utility and even easier, would be for AE to eliminate the with the subject line, “Statement by Mayor
Kathie Tovo, Pio Renteria, Delia Garza, consumer watchdog Paul Robbins. This CAP discount for high­volume electricity on Texas Taking More Taxes Than Austin
Ann Kitchen, Jimmy Flannigan, Ora Hous­ week Robbins is at it again, releasing anoth- users – specifically the fourth and fifth tiers Is Get ting.” In the spare 129-word release
ton – echoed the mayor, so that Troxclair er long-awaited follow-up report, titled of consumption. “This is just wrong!” (the Gettysburg Address was 272), Adler
finally shrugged, “I presume that you all Misguided Charity, charging that money Robbins said in a separate email. “The prac- “explains why property taxes are so high for
say ‘ditto’ – everybody doesn’t have to all from Austin Energy’s Customer Assist­ tice encourages waste, while at the same Austin taxpayers. … Only four years ago, the
chime in.” But she challenged Adler to ance Program (CAP) – those time depriving the average state [of Texas] got a third of what Austin
commit to lowering the proposed property voluntary contributions that CAP participant of additional got. … Next year, for the first time, the state
tax rate – staff­anticipated at the current utility customers can make to discount money.” He esti- will be taking more than Austin gets. Our
8% rollback rate – should the Lege fail to defray costs for the needy – PUBLIC mates this move alone could property taxes are no longer a local property
pass the threatened additional restrictions. is in some cases going save the utility some $2 mil- tax. From this day forward, let’s call it
instead to wealthy property NOTICE lion a year, enough to what it is, a state property tax.” Accom-
Upside Down Government owners, and to subsidize “increase the average electric pany ing charts illustrate the $1,024 increase
BY
We shall see. The conversation perhaps wasteful consumption. NICK discount of $250 a year by in state taxes on the median Austin home-
stiffened the Council majority’s determina­ In a nutshell, Robbins had about $60.” stead in the last four years, while AISD’s
tion to defy the latest Austin­bashing wave notified AE and City Council BARBARO He also asks for an audit of take-home has actually declined.
at the Lege – “This is an ongoing assault on almost three years ago that “I the CAP program, and a cus-
Austin,” said Renteria, “and especially the had found its automatic tomer survey, and for a move The Austin Animal Center is asking for folks to par-
poor and people of color” – but the locally enrollment strategy was giving toward phasing out the auto- ticipate in their Summer Camp 2017 foster program.
outnumbered Troxclair can rest secure, discounts to customers that matic enrollment policy, and With a lot of lost pets this time of year, the center is at
knowing that the numbers are nearly had high-valued real estate assets. … I had income qualifying all CAP recipients. capacity, and looking for folks to take an adult dog or
reversed at the Capitol, potentially making discovered over 1,100 CAP participants that Appendices include a “Parade of Homes” cat for a two-week sleepover camp. See full info at
her a Council majority of one. In most of had high real property assets; 66 of them – photos and stats on luxury homes that www.austinanimalcenter.org.
this year’s legislative hearings, witnesses owned or co-owned over $1 million in real were receiving the CAP discounts as of this
against bad bills – defunding Plan ned estate.” There was some attention and policy Jan u ary – plus a list of some 56 “CAP This year’s sales tax holiday is next weekend, Fri.-
Parenthood, policing bathrooms, targeting direction from Council, but as of yet, there’s Customers With More Than $1 Million in Real Sun., Aug. 11-13, exempting most clothing, footwear,
trees, squeezing city funding, etc. – gener­ been no change in the actual electric and Estate Assets.” The report is being distribut- school supplies, and backpacks priced under $100 from
ally outnumbered bill supporters by siz­ water utility tariffs that would change the par- ed to Council and others today, Aug. 3, and sales tax. See the full list at www.texastaxholiday.org.
able margins. That had little effect on the ticipation guidelines. will soon be available for download at www.
outcome, especially in Lite Guv Dan In this new report, Robbins makes two environmentaldirectory.info. Favorite press release of the week: “Media Alert.
Patrick’s Senate. The bad bills pass easily, major policy recommendations: First, that the ‘Kentuckians for Coal’ to Protest the Solar Eclipse
with the remnant of good sense on the program should “verify that customers who Mayor Steve Adler was sufficiently fired August 21!” This is a real event, in Hopkinsville, Ky.
House side, represented by Speaker Joe live in properties with high improvement val- up by this week’s budget session highlighting I may have more on this story next week. n
Straus, remaining the last defense against ues really do have low incomes. Council the tax bite the state of Texas is taking out
Send gossip, dirt, rumors, discounts, and other
right­wing fanaticism. unanimously budgeted money for this in of Austin property taxpayers to fund the useful grist to [email protected].
Faced with the imbecility emanating
from the Capitol, Council is hoping to CIVICS 101 DUTY NOW FOR THE FUTURE
adopt a budget that will, in City Manager
Elaine Hart’s words, “maintain services
while minimizing costs” – but which pre­
THURSDAY 8/3 SATURDAY 8/5 TUESDAY 8/8 WEDNESDAY 8/9
sumes an 8% rate increase (with no addi­
tional homestead exemption) in part THE DIVIDE SCREEN­ FREE COMPOSTING CLASS Learn how ARTIST INFORMATION CHICKEN­KEEPING CLASS Learn about
because the Lege is threatening to restrict ING A documentary striving to recycle food and lawn clippings, and apply for MEETING FOR DOVE owning chickens and urban farming, and receive
to prove how every aspect of a $75 composting system rebate. 10-11am. Zinger SPRINGS REC CENTER a $75 coop rebate! 6pm. Recycled Reads, 5335
cities’ ability to raise funds going forward,
our lives is controlled by the Hardware, 2438 W. Anderson. Free. www.austintexas.gov. Learn how to apply for the Dove Burnet Rd. Free. www.austintexas.gov/chickenkeeping.
wtriitghg earn ( ayuett oamnoatthice 5r uorn 6fu%n rdoeldlb macakn edlaetcet)i.o Inf g6a:3p0 -b8e:4t5wpeme.n T erircrahz aasn Ldi bpraoroy,r . GCORONWTR GORL ELeEaNrn: tWo cIoSnEs tRruAct,I NmWainAtaTinE, Rdr ain, Sinp Priunbglsic R Pelcarceeast iopnro Cjeecnt.t e5r: 3A0rptm . THURSDAY 8/10
that happens, future Councils will find 1105 E. Cesar Chavez. and protect your gardens from variable weather. Cultural Arts Division offices, TEACHERS STATE ASSOC. OF
themselves increasingly unable to main­ GREEN BY DESIGN, 10am-noon. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs 201 E. Second. www.austintexas.gov. TEXAS HISTORICAL MARKER
SESSION 1 This session will Rd. $1-3. www.austintexas.gov. HOW TO WRITE A Celebrate the unveiling at the TSAT headquar-
tain basic services, and can forget about
cover the basics about energy- AUSTIN DUCK DERBY Adopt a duck, for BUSINESS PLAN Course ters, with a reception on the grounds. 2pm.
any expansion of affordable housing or efficient homebuilding and Boys and Girls Club, to race down Lady Bird Lake. counts toward the business House of Elegance, 1191 Navasota.
public health initiatives, or even about remodeling practices. 7pm. Austin A family festival follows. 11am-1pm. Congress Avenue skills certificate. 5:30pm. CITY COUNCIL VOTE ON CARBON­
repairing those 50­year­old swimming Energy, 721 Barton Springs Rd. $25. Bridge. $5. www.austintexas.gov. Entrepreneur Center of Austin, FREE BY 2030 City Council will vote on a
www.austintexas.gov. 4029 Capital of TX Hwy. S. #110.
pwooorlrsie dth aabto unte liogshinbogr.hoods are suddenly THOEWALNT HH ACLALR OE NPl anned LCCoEAmApRleRRx,NY 1 1 MI5t’6sO HhRaerErger a.A v1eB:.3O0-3UpmT. CMiAlleMnnPiuUm SYo uth W$50A. wTwEwR.a uFstOintRexWas.AgoRv.D pafrr eogeop aoblsy ao2lf 0tmo3 a0jok. iinnCg a2 lAl9 uo osr ttehinme rEa nUile .tSrog. ysc u1itpi0ep0so% rin t.c aa6rd:b3oo0ppntm-in.g
While the city waits on the other Lege Parenthood hosts a panel SUMMER SERIES: D5 Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second
shoe to fall, we can all contemplate our cur­ dwiosmcuesns.i o7n-8 :w3i0thpm w. eIBllE-iWnf oLormcael d WD8A ATuEstRin FWOatRerW anAdR thDe ScoUmMmMunEitRy wSilEl cRreIaEtSe : Scheaec aS Laibturardrya, y5.5 60-07 :M30apnmch. aMcaan R-d. GREEN BY DESIGN, SESSION 2 This
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states, while state governments impose www.austintexas.gov/waterforward. ings for the South Austin neigh- ONGOING
state responsibilities (public schools, infra­ AUSTIN DEMOCRATIC borhood. 6:45-9pm. High Road on EL BUEN SAMARITANO HOSTS THE
CANDI DATES FORUM SUNDAY 8/6 Dawson, 700 Dawson.
structure, environmental protection) on GRITO CHALLENGE Enter by uploading
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6 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE AUGUST 4, 2017 austinchronicle.com
NAKED CITY
Faith-Based Opposition to SB 4 Treasures of Mexico for the Discerning Taste
Religious leaders are standing firm against anti-immigrant Senate Bill 4, San Miguel
passed during the regular legislative session. On Mon., July 31, Rev. Chuck
Free man of Austin’s Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry; the
Episcopal Diocese of Texas; a handful of other faith leaders; and Texas Sandals
Impact, a statewide interfaith organization that includes Jewish, Christian,
and Muslim members, filed court briefs in support of the Texas cities suing
the state to stop the so-called “sanctuary cities” bill from taking effect on $39
Sept. 1. The briefs, prepared by local civil rights attorney Jim Harrington,
argue that SB 4 would impose irreparable harm to families and faith com-
munities, and disrupt the religious lives of people in the immigrant commu-
nity. The “show me your papers”-style law would allow racial profiling and This week (August 3-11) only!
hurt public safety by “creating a class of persons afraid to interact with law
enforcement,” including victims and witnesses of crimes, the leaders note. • Mexican Clothing •
“SB 4 is contrary to the moral imperative that we love our neighbor, wel- • Jewelry •
come the immigrant, and care for the most vulnerable among us,” said Rev. • Folk Art •
Rev. C. Andrew Doyle
C. Andrew Doyle. “This law represents an anti-immigrant agenda that is • Oilcloth •
born out of fear and promoted out of a sense of privilege, jeopardizing justice for everyone.” During this special
1009 West Lynn Austin TX, 78703 | 512-474-8680 | www.elinterior.com
session Sen. Sylvia Gar cia, D-Hous ton, and Rep. Ramón Romero, D-Ft. Worth, attempted to repeal SB 4 with leg-
islation – no bills have made it past committee yet. – Mary Tuma
Counting on Compost Join the Civil Service
Beginning Oct. 2, the Austin Resource Recovery (Commission)
program will add 38,000 households to its Curbside
The city of Austin is accepting applications for
Composting Collection Program. The pilot project
appointees to its three-member Firefighters’, Police
began in 2012, servicing 7,500 households, chosen to
Officers’, and Emergency Medical Services Personnel
represent the demographics of the city. An additional
Civil Service Commission, which regulates the pro-
6,500 were added in 2014. The 38,000 new house-
motion, suspension, and termination of all sworn
holds will either be extensions of the original pilot
members of the city’s three public safety departments.
areas, or in the districts that have had less access to the
The next term begins Nov. 1 and runs through that
service. (The city’s map is available with this story
same date in 2020. Applicants must be U.S. citizens,
online. Check www.austintexas.gov/page/my-collec
residents of Austin for three or more years, older than
tion-schedule to search for specific addresses.) The
25, and not have held office within the preceding three
new 10-1 Council system went into effect since the 2014
years. Apply online at www.ci.austin.tx.us/cityclerk/
expansion of the service, and ARR spokesperson Memi
boards_commissions/apply_online/register.cfm,
Cardenas said the program wanted to reflect any rele-
through Aug. 31. – Chase Hoffberger
vant changes. “We want to make sure each district is
equally represented.” If Council continues to approve
Training APD Officers on
funding for the program, ARR plans to expand the ser-
vice to all Austin residents by 2020. – Joseph Caterine LGBTQ Communities
The Austin Police Department will soon roll out
Mayor Not Losing Sleep mandatory training on serving LGBTQ, transgender,
and gender nonconforming communities for all 1,845
Over a Few Nazis
sworn officers. Sergeant Michael Crumrine, presi-
Mayor Steve Adler has drawn the ire of a popular white dent of the Lesbian and Gay Peace Officers
supremacist website after he invited transgender military Association, and Charles Loosen, APD’s LGBTQ
members to join the Austin Police Department in the wake community liaison, presented a draft of the upcoming
of President Trump’s currently toothless ban on their ser- training to community members and queer organiza-
vice. “Austin’s Jew Mayor Demands Tranny Police tion leaders, including Out Youth, allgo, and AIDS
Force,” wrote author Goy Orbison (which we cannot Services of Austin on July 31. Crumrine laid out the
imagine is his real name) in a crass, anti-Semitic July 31 three-hour training session’s four learning objectives:
post on the Daily Stormer. A Southern Poverty Law Center- understanding LGBTQ history, examining the multi-
designated neo-Nazi hate group, the website’s leader, faceted relationship between trans and queer folks
Andrew Anglin, is credited with helping rally white and law enforcement, the importance of language
nationalists behind the Trump campaign. SPLC, which (regarding gender identity and sexual orientation),
describes the web forum as “the leading extremist website and finally, introducing officers to the department’s
in the country,” sued the publication for its call to threaten updated guidelines for probable cause affidavits and
and harass a Jewish woman last year. Orbison bashed report writing (“APD Readies Trans-Inclusive Victim
Austin’s “degenerate pervert lifestyles”; the late Leslie ID Policy,” March 17). Moving forward, APD will adopt
Cochran; and Greg Abbink, APD’s first openly transgen- “victim-neutral” affidavits that remove the name and
der officer. He also slammed Adler for his opposition to gender of violent crime victims for anonymity, and
anti-immigrant Senate Bill 4, writing that the mayor reduce the potential for error by allowing officers
wants to harbor “illegal invaders.” Adler’s spokesperson time to confirm gender identity. Legally, suspects
Jason Stanford told the Chronicle that the mayor doesn’t must be identified in reports by the name found on
plan “to lose any sleep if this upsets a few Nazis … Austin their birth certificates, but the new directive will
is the safest big city in Texas partly because we know that instruct officers to use the legal name only once
our differences make us stronger. If that means trans before adding the known-by name and gender of the
troops can help us here in Austin, that’s great.” – M.T. suspect. – Sarah Marloff
austinchronicle.com AUGUST 4, 2017 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE 7
NEWS ARTS & CULTURE FOOD SCREENS MUSIC
All This & Budget Too renaming of Water Treatment Plant No. 4 AFD: WOOLVERTON
in honor of Berl Handcox, Austin’s first
elected African-American council member ON LEAVE, MERGER
(1971) after desegregation, who lives in
COUNCIL TREADS WATER OVER AQUATICS PLAN District 6, home to WTP4. And there may be FALLOUT STAYS HOT
passing grumbling over Item 14, another
$75,000 for the appeal defense of the city Last week, when the Chronicle asked the
against former CM Don Zim mer man’s cam- Austin Fire Department to respond to a
paign finance lawsuit. complaint filed by Austin Firefighters
None of these matters came up in Tues- Assoc iation President Bob Nicks, AFD offi-
day’s work session, where the lion’s share of cials said they hadn’t a chance to fully inves-
agitation was over the Aquatics Master tigate whether the department’s head of hir-
Plan, briefed by Acting Parks and Rec ing lied under oath earlier this year. A week
Department Director Kim McNeeley and later, the department confirmed that
then battered about by various CMs for a Assistant Chief Aaron Woolver ton is on
couple of hours. The media version of the administrative leave while an independent
report headlined potential pool closings, investigator looks into the accusations.
and a Parks commissioner (Rick Cofer) Nicks’ complaint accuses Woolverton of
brooded about a potential “Hunger Games” lying by omission at a meeting of the Civil
of neighborhood vs. neighborhood defend- Service Commission, where (in response to
ing their pools. a question about whether he’d ever been
McNeeley’s report was unsentimentally involved in a collision) he recalled an inci-
blunt: To maintain Austin’s current and dent in which his vehicle collided with a
generous (by Texas standards) pool system garage door but allegedly did not account for
would mean at least a $136 million invest- a 2004 instance in which he ran over a
ment in repairs and maintenance; a some- small child. Nicks used the situation to illus-
what reduced system will cost an estimated trate what he views as the unfair treatment
$96 million – and Parks and Rec currently of Andrew Garcia, an Emergency Services
has about $450,000 in the capital kitty for District 4 firefighter and local union president
pools. Left unspecified are which pools who claims he was wrongfully barred from
would survive a potential “decommission- joining AFD as the two departments merge
ing” triage, and several council members into one (“He Checked the Wrong Box,” July
bristled against any master plan without 14). Garcia was barred from AFD after the
After the high-summer break – and with explosive items lying elsewhere in the that knowledge in hand. department said he failed to clear a back-
the dog days still barking – City Council weeds. One of today’s potential candidates Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo (absent ground check. Garcia admitted that he mis-
returned noses to the agenda grindstones would have been Item 118 – to eliminate the Tuesday) is reportedly crafting a resolution takenly left mention of a 2008 cadet class
this week, beginning with Tuesday’s work supermajority voting requirement for the to postpone any Council decision pending suspension off an official form, but said he
session, the FY 2018 budget presentation Historic Landmark Commission to overrule further public input, and CM Ann Kitchen believes his role in merger negotiations
Wednesday, and today’s regular meeting, a property owner’s objection to a historic gamely suggested that given the voters’ served as the true reason.
Aug. 3. Today’s agenda carries a daunting designation – but due to a posting error, staff recent enthusiasm for $720 million on Nicks notes in the complaint that he was
120 Items – although that’s a bit mislead- has requested a postponement to Aug. 31. mobility, there might be sufficient support told by AFD Chief of Staff Tom Dodds that
ing, because a dozen will simply set hear- Some council members may want to look next year for a swimming pool bond. “there was no possible way [Garcia] could
ings (for later headaches), most of the closely at Item 3, a big-ticket ($45 million) Although not on the next couple of Council have forgotten to include it. Therefore, Drew
Council’s own proposals are innocuous low-interest loan from the state’s Water agendas, the Swimming Pool Commisera- Garcia’s failure to disclose this event was a
event fee waivers, and there are three Development Board, although it’s over a tion is certain to return. willful deception and therefore an intentional
dozen zoning Items likely to be winnowed 20-year term for water and wastewater Only a couple of proclamations today, and lie.” Applying that standard, suggests Nicks,
by consent votes and postponements. improvements long contemplated in the the musical honorees are the Inside Out Woolverton committed the same offense.
That said, zoning discussions can grow city’s infrastructure plans. There will be at Steelband – always a highlight. Nicks said Woolverton will be supplied with
like Topsy, and there are always improvised least ceremonial acknowledgment of the – Michael King an attorney by the association, as is his right
as a due-paying member. He also said that
during a recent visit to the department’s
training center, he was told by team leaders
FY 2018 Budget: Maintain and Sustain
who will be overseeing the incoming ESD 4
In a Wednesday morning work session, City Council got its first formal look at the There are also a couple of “known unknowns” shadowing the budget process: firefighters that Woolverton had openly dis-
city manager’s proposed fiscal year 2018 budget. There were no major surprises 1) All three public safety unions are negotiating new contracts, and any associated cussed details of Garcia’s investigation with
from the spring budget preview, when budget staff anticipated that “costs are payroll costs won’t be known before mid-August at the earliest; them. Garcia told the Chronicle he’s heard sim-
expected to rise about 5%, and incoming revenue is anticipated to rise by less than 2) the Legislature is considering new restrictions on municipal taxing authority, and ilar reports, including that Woolverton showed
5%” (“City Budget: Something’s Gotta Give,” May 12). At the time, interim City the city must presume the worst – a reduced property tax cap beginning in FY 2019 other employees some paperwork associated
Manager Elaine Hart told Council, “We’re forecasting a slower pace of growth for – increasing the pressure now to go to the current rollback rate (8% increase) as a with his file. “I don’t know if they’re kind of
the Austin economy compared to recent years.” cushion against future funding limits. reading the writing on the wall and seeing that
An approximate indicator of the slowdown is the city’s sales tax income, which As proposed – i.e., subject to Council approval – the big numbers include: we might be successful,” Garcia said. “To me,
had until recently been rising at about 5% per year – for 2018, budget staff is antici- • FY 2018 “All Funds” budget (inc. enterprise departments): $3.9 billion what he could potentially be doing is creating
pating growth of only 3%. That – and other similar indicators – means Council will be • “General Funds” (operating) budget: $1.03 billion a hostile working environment for me.”
left with little wiggle room for new initiatives at budget adoption time (late August/ • Civilian employee wage increase: 2.5% (public safety TBD) Dodds told the Chronicle that Woolverton
early September). As Hart also told Council in May: “We’re … facing significant chal- • “Living wage” floor, full-time employees: $14/hour ($15 by 2020) would decline any comment until after the
lenges in developing next year’s General Fund budget, being able to balance the • Median value home: $305,510 investigation concludes. In response to the
needs of our community with our available resources.” • Tax & fee increase (“typical,” median-value home): 4.6% ($14.81/month) claims that Woolverton shared information
Accordingly, Deputy Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo described Hart’s budget • Proposed property tax rate: 44.51 cents/$100 (8% increase, or $9.84/month) with other employees, the chief of staff said,
focus for the new fiscal year as “maintaining existing service levels and minimizing • City property tax bill as percentage of median family income: 1.6% “We are unaware of any of the conversations
fee and tax rate increases.” As drafted by the budget staff, there will be few new pro- If Council adopts the city manager’s budget essentially as proposed, budget that Mr. Nicks is alleging took place, but we
grams, and the only departments showing significant increases are Development staff anticipates about $5 million being available for Council’s expressed “Strategic will look into it.” In general, he said, “individu-
Services (which expects to recoup most of the new spending through increased Out come” initiatives – programs ranging from public health to new fire stations to als who oversee relevant sections where
user/permitting fees) and the Fire Department (which continues to need additional additional police officers. Five million dollars will not stretch very far on that list. [sharing information] may be necessary are
overtime funding pending new cadet hiring). – M.K. authorized to do so.” – Nina Hernandez
8 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE AUGUST 4, 2017 austinchronicle.com
austinchronicle.com AUGUST 4, 2017 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE 9
NEWS ARTS & CULTURE FOOD SCREENS MUSIC
Robbin’ the Hoods
CAN STATE LAWMAKERS FIX SCHOOL FINANCE?
In Texas, Republicans and Democrats, makers pass a $1,000 per teacher pay raise
like the House and Senate, rarely agree on (without increasing revenue), as well as a
anything. Yet there is one undoubted point voucher program. Unsurprisingly, the hard-
of constant consensus: The state’s school line conservative Senate has tried to give
finance system is critically broken. After him both. Yet his plans may already be
failing to achieve any reform throughout going awry: The House roundly rejected
the regular session, there are now desperate vouchers during the regular session and
attempts to get something done during seems unlikely to flinch now. Meanwhile,
the special. Sena te Finance Committee Chair Jane Nel­
The core issue remains the state govern- son, R-Flower Mound, couldn’t
ment’s historically low contribution to local find a way to conjure Abbott’s
district coffers, and its increased reliance $1,000 mandate out of thin air,
on local property taxes. During the regular so her Senate Bill 19 proposes
session, House Public Education Chair Dan a one-off payment of $193 mil- LEGE
Huberty, R-Houston, filed House Bill 21 as lion to cover the cost.
the first round of a multi-year reform pro- That still frustrates Austin LINES
gram. Its combination of changes in how ISD Board President Kendall That leaves Pace con- Amid the gloom, Gonzalez was optimistic
money gets distributed, plus an extra $1.8 Pace, who recently voted cerned about a further about two relatively easy fixes. First, both
billion cash injection, failed, but Huberty along with her fellow trustees instance of legislative can- chambers propose adding money to the
has refiled the measure, again as HB 21. It to approve a 1.5% pay raise, kicking: SB 16, which Additional State Aid for Tax Reduction, a
is by far the most popular bill with educa- dipping into district savings to assembles a school finance hold-harmless fund that benefits some (but
tion stakeholders, although Huberty briefly cover it. In fact, a recent mem- commission to explore not all) of the districts hit hardest by recap-
deflated that support when he added $25 ber survey by the Texas Association of reforms and make recommendations dur- ture payments. At the other end of the scale
million for charter schools (nominally to School Boards found that most responding ing the next session. “Depending on what are the small districts, those covering less
help with construction costs). By the time districts were already planning a pay raise the charge of the commission is, and how than 300 square miles and averaging fewer
the bill left his committee on July 31, that without legislative pressure or support. By broad it is, maybe that’s just another way to than 130 enrolled students. Due to their
clause had been stripped. Guy Sconzo, making this a special session item, Pace introduce other agendas into school size, those districts are currently penalized
executive director of multi-district body the said, “It’s insinuating that we’re not for finance,” she said. in their basic daily allotment, and several
Fast Growth School Coalition, praised teachers, and not for pay raises.” TASB assistant director of intergovern- proposed bills would remove that deduc-
Huberty’s decision to take the bill back Louis Malfaro, president of educators’ mental affairs Dax Gonzalez said bills like tion. Gonzalez said, “While that’s not much,
to its original form. “Make no mistake: union Texas AFT, echoed Pace’s concerns, SB 19 are “sucking the air out of the room,” it’s enough to help the districts that are fac-
funding for charter facilities would mean calling SB 19 “a phantom pay raise.” After while any substantive fix in a single special ing a funding cliff.”
less funding for local property tax relief,” the first year of the state paying for a bonus, session is unlikely. History is on his side: He added a bleak warning: If the House
he wrote. the ongoing bill goes to local government, The last time the Legislature really took on and Senate cannot achieve some consensus
Yet the House plan is not the only one in he said: “It was basically telling school dis- the issue in 2003, it took two regular ses- before the special session ends on Aug. 16,
action. When Gov. Greg Abbott first called tricts: ‘You’re going to give a pay raise, but sions and seven specials to produce the now “These districts will close.”
for the special session, he insisted that law- we’re not going to fund it.’” widely criticized Robin Hood system. – Richard Whittaker
BAD BULL’S-EYE ON PLANNED PARENTHOOD Garcia has noted that if county health departments could
no longer support residents in the event of a Zika outbreak,
Planned Parenthood (which screens for Zika) wouldn’t be
Since 1973, the Planned Parenthood clinic on the corner activists, calling out Travis County specifically, clamored that able to step in to help. Schwertner agreed with his col-
of East Seventh and Chicon has stood as a valuable health Austin “subsidizes abortion” – a wholly false assertion.) league during a debate on the Senate floor. Garcia contin-
resource to generations of Austinites. The city-owned building Instead, the legislation could strip thousands in the Austin ued: “I’m trying to understand why you’re attacking the
gets leased to the clinic for a nominal fee – $1 a year – an community of access to birth control, STD and HIV testing, other things women depend on and trying to pull the rug out
arrangement approved by City Council that allows the provider cervical cancer screenings, and breast exams. Annually, more from under their feet.” In Austin, Planned Parenthood and
to focus its costs on serving the community. But than 5,000 Austin residents, typically living the city have partnered on teen pregnancy education and
currently, in the name of eradicating abortion paycheck to paycheck and paying out-of-pocket prevention, an agreement that could also fall into jeopardy.
care, anti-choice lawmakers are threatening its for health care, visit the Downtown location, Wheat said, “The bill is written so broadly that it’s hard to
future with a pair of bills that bar city and county with the majority opting for birth control and tell the full extent of how it could limit the work we do in
government contracts – such as lease agree- STD/HIV testing services. local communities.”
ments – with abortion clinics or their affiliates. Sarah Wheat, the chief external affairs Schwertner has consistently insisted that he isn’t painting
The Senate, cherry-picking how it values local officer at Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, a bull’s-eye specifically on Planned Parenthood, but 45 min-
control, sped through Georgetown Sen. Charles told the Chronicle: “We are stunned that this utes before the Senate voted on SB 4 he let his guard down
Schwertner’s SB 4, while House counterpart would be a priority for the Legislature. We are with a tweet. “Now taking up #SB4,” he wrote, “my bill to
HB 14 by Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, incredibly concerned about the low-income and #DefundPP and keep cities and counties from using public
sits at the House’s doorstep. SB 4 still needs uninsured residents that visit our clinic and funds to support abortion.” Thankfully, some senators were
approval from the House before it becomes law. JA how these bills will further shred the health paying attention. “I think we all know this bill is about further
N
Schwertner has identified the Seventh Street A B safety net for women.” On Aug. 1, May or restricting abortion access and defunding Planned Parent-
Planned Par enthood as “the most pointed IR Steve Adler, along with the mayors of Dallas, hood – contrary to some efforts to avoid saying that,” said
C
example” of what his bill would impact. But Sarah Wheat HU Houston, and San Antonio, sent a letter to Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, before offering an amendment
M
here’s the big, glaring, hypocritical problem: House Speaker Joe Straus urging him to halt to protect basic preventive services like the ones offered at
That Planned Parenthood doesn’t offer abortion care. It HB 14, calling it “devastating” to local communities. “By Seventh Street. “Let’s not let politics get in the way of saving
offers basic preventive health care – including services that restricting local resources, the state would jeopardize the the lives of women with cancer and other conditions and
help reduce unplanned pregnancy and abortion. In fact, even health and well-being of our citizens,” the mayors wrote. ensure they can get the health care they need.”
if it did offer abortion, state and federal law already prohibit Vaguely worded, the bills also carry wide implications for And with that, the “pro-life” contingent killed the measure
taxpayer funding from going toward the procedure. (Anti-choice all local communities. For example, Houston Sen. Sylvia and the bill sailed through shortly afterward. – Mary Tuma
10 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE AUGUST 4, 2017 austinchronicle.com