Leaders Beat Back Bid for Alcohol Sales Near School
When Torchy's Tacos re-submitted a two-year old bid to sell alcohol within 300 feet of Fulmore Middle School, they forgot to take into account the lasting power of Austin Interfaith. Leaders from neighboring Travis Heights Elementary PTA, St. Ignatius Catholic, Oak Creek Village Tenants Association and St. David's Episcopal Church were already organizing around funding for after-school programming and maintaining affordable housing in communities near the school when apartment complexes are redeveloped.
The night before Torchy's petition for a permit waiver, 200 parents, school staff and community leaders assembled with school board members and city councilmembers to leverage their support for affordable housing, after-school programming and, now, reaffirmation of City law against alcohol sales near schools. On stage, Mayor Pro-Tem Kathie Tovo and AISD Trustees Paul Saldaña and Jayme Mathias all pledged to oppose the variance.
Within hours, Torchy's Tacos released a press statement promising to "withdraw and refile" their waiver request. Said Rev. Brian Ferguson of Wildflower Church in response: "We are glad, for the moment, that alcohol is not going to be sold close to the school," but "the law says you can't sell alcohol within 300 feet. This has gone on for two years..." Leaders are prepared to continue the fight if they refile.
[In photo: Rev. Bill Wack of St. Ignatius Catholic speaks to audience.]
Torchy's Withdraws Request to Sell Alcohol on Congress, Austin American Statesman [pdf]
Facing Pressure, Flagship Torchy's Drops Alcohol Waiver Request, Austin Monitor
Torchy's Bid for Alcohol Permit Takes a Hit from Officials, Faith Group, Austin American Statesman
Council: Burning Daylight, Austin Chronicle
Bishop Joe Vasquez Congratulates Austin Interfaith & Texas IAF
Bishop Joe Vasquez of the Catholic Diocese of Austin recently penned the following in advance of a statewide celebration of the 40+ year anniversary of the Texas IAF set for Saturday, April 30th:
"The Texas Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) Network Forty Years of Organizing Celebration is a significant summit to highlight the great achievements of your blessed efforts in support of families and communities. On behalf of the faithful of the Diocese of Austin, and in my own name, I congratulate you on more than forty years of service and organizing in Texas.
Austin Interfaith, through its virtuous work, proves that those living in poverty are more than figures and statistics. Austin Interfaith provides leadership development to enable citizens to collaborate and navigate effectively through the political process with governmental and community leaders around issues of common concern...."
[Photo Credit: Rodolfo Gonzalez, Ahora Si!]
VOTE NOW: City Election on Prop. 1 is May 7th
Early Voting started April 25th and runs through May 3rd!!
May 7, 2016 is Election Day
Sample ballot and voting information
The City of Austin is holding a special election on Saturday May 7, on Proposition 1, the ordinance on TNC’s, Transportation Network Companies.
A NO vote --a vote AGAINST-- would keep the current city ordinance that the current city council passed, including fingerprint background check and other safety requirements.
A For vote, would repeal the current ordinance that the city council has passed, and eliminate the current requirement for the fingerprint background check and other safety requirements.
Please get informed and VOTE.