Newsletter — October 24, 2022 Lago Vista — Jonestown — Point Venture Joan Carney & Pam Nickell, Co-Editors Send submissions here. |
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Early Voting Starts Today, Monday, October 24th! You have until Friday, November 4, to vote early in an election which could very well be one of the most important of our lifetimes! Democracy itself is on the ballot, not to mention voting rights, women’s rights, affordable healthcare, gun reform, quality public education, clean air and water, the power grid.… We need to Stand Up Together and Vote! As Beto says, “It’s gonna take all of us.” For details on where and when to vote in the Lago Vista area, go to northshoredemocrats.org/vote. |
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Tips & Reminders: As a Travis County resident, you can vote at any polling place in Travis on any voting day (early voting and Nov 8). No matter where you vote, you’ll receive the correct ballot, which includes the City ballot if you live in Lago Vista. If you’re running late on a mail-in ballot, you can take that ballot to any polling place, turn it in, and vote in person. In fact, that’s probably the safest thing to do these days. If you want to vote curbside, call the Travis County Elections Office at 512-854-4996 with polling place location and your ETA, so they can arrange for someone to meet you outside. If you run into any problems on anything, call the Voter Assistance Hotline of the Texas Democratic Party at 844-898-6837. |
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Be a Poll Greeter in Lago Vista on Election Day! Be part of the happy cheering section for Democratic voters and candidates! As NSD has done for many years, we are asking our dedicated volunteers for one final effort. Sign up for a 2-hour shift at either one of the two election day polling locations in Lago Vista - K-Oaks Clubhouse or the Lago Vista High School. Not to be confused with “Poll Watchers”, our job as Poll Greeters is simply this: Welcome our Democratic voters to the Polls, and cheer them on as they cast their ballots to change political leadership in Texas! North Shore Democratic Poll Greeters will have a decorated tent and chairs safely outside of the 100’ campaign exclusion zone at both Lago Vista polling locations. It’s lively and a great way to wrap up this busy campaign season. (Note, the schedule has been reworked to account for time difference in sunrise and sunset, as Daylight Savings ends on Sunday November 6.) Please reply to Anne at 512-535-8006 or anneochoa@austin.rr.com with your requested time slot! Invite a friend to serve with you! Minimum 2 Greeters per shift needed. And don’t forget to turn your clocks back on Sunday 11/6! |
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Reach Out to Family & Friends with Great New Phone App Check out Jack Alford’s Oct 17 blog at northshoredemocrats.org/blog. In a single paragraph, Jack walks you through how to get and install the app, select your targets, and send personalized texts to your Dem-leaning contacts. If you haven’t gotten involved yet in our campaign, this is a great way to do it! To sign up to automatically receive new blog notices, click on “Log in/Sign up” button. It’s well worth it! |
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Issues & Candidates on the Lago Vista Ballot The city ballot includes two special election propositions related to CapMetro. |
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A YES vote to Prop A will continue the current CapMetro service within and to/from Lago. A NO vote to Prop A will discontinue the service which cost $900,000 last year. A cancellation penalty of approx. $6,400,000 is required to be paid out over the next six years. Prop B is contingent on a NO vote to Prop A. A YES vote to Prop B would redirect the CapMetro funds to the City after the penalty is paid off. It would keep the current effective sales & use tax rate at 2%. A NO vote would effectively reduce that rate to 1%. For more information, see Jack Alford’s slides prepared for the Oct. 8 M&G and now on the welcome page of our website at northshoredemocrats.org. Thank you Jack for a fine presentation! Lago Vista Prop A is not to be confused with another Prop A on the ballot The other one is the Travis County ESD No. 1 Proposition A which is designed to maintain funding for fire protection and rescue services at the same level as last year. Also on the ballot is the nonpartisan election for three City Council members: Place 2: Kevin Sullivan (incumbent), Thomas Burlew, Dave Stewart Place 3: Chelaine Marion (incumbent), Shane R. Saum Place 4: Paul Prince (incumbent), no challenger As a club, we’re not endorsing City propositions or candidates. We ask that you do your own due diligence. |
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Canvassing in full swing! Teams of volunteers have worked Saturdays since early Sept to GET OUT THE VOTE, staging out of Lowes or Lago Express parking lots. They go door to door, talking to voters and distributing the new NSD flyers. As of last week, canvassers have added more than 260 new Dem-friendly names to our list. Please join us for either or both of the last two canvasses: Saturday, Oct 29 or Nov 5, 9 AM to noon. It may well be one of the most rewarding things you’ve ever done! Email Joan at jjcarney100@gmail.com to participate. |
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Sign Blitz! On October 11, Anne Ochoa’s team of Sign Blitzers distributed 82 yard signs for our candidates, bringing the total number of signs on display to nearly 120 in the Lago area. The blitz created quite a sensation around town. To see all the Democratic Candidate yard signs blooming at once was just like Lady Bird Johnson’s wildflowers in the spring. |
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Unfortunately some folks don’t believe in free speech and the signs have been disappearing. The Travis County Democratic Party has stepped up to provide us with 30 free Beto signs. We’ll try a different tactic — distribute them to supporters to put in their yards where we hope they’ll be somewhat protected. If you want a free sign, text Anne at 508-535-8006. |
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October NSD Shirt Deal! In this last few weeks before Election Day, we want everyone to have our iconic “STAND UP TOGETHER” shirt. On our website, click on “Join or Donate”. Donate exactly $9.99 and we’ll deliver the shirt to your door if you live in the Lago Vista, Point Venture, or Jonestown areas. |
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Donate exactly $14.99 and we’ll deliver two shirts to your door! We also have a few stylish men’s jersey T’s printed front only in large and X-large sizes. This is a limited offer until supplies run out! Remember to donate these exact amounts and we’ll get back in touch to work out size/style details, and delivery arrangements. Or you can contact Anne Ochoa directly at 512-535-8006 or anneochoa@austin.rr.com. |
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Postcard Writing Party On October 23, Susan Nilsson-Weiskoff organized a party to write the remaining 250 postcards to local voters. Thank you, Susan and your team, for helping to get out the vote in our communities. |
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Looking for a Newsletter Editor Due to press of family responsibilities, Pam Nickell is leaving us after this edition. If you’re interested, contact Joan at jjcarney100@gmail.com. Thank you, Pam, for taking us this far. |
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October 8 Meet & Greet a big success! Joining the meeting by zoom were Susan Hays, candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, and Jay Kleberg for Public Lands Commissioner. Making a surprise visit in person was Janet Dudding, candidate for Texas Comptroller. |
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Thank you Mike Killalea for your fine introductions. We were all impressed with the high caliber of these state-level candidates, miles above their Republican opponents in both qualifications and grasp of the issues. Also dropping in was Pam Baggett, (shown with the flamboyant Janet Dudding), candidate for Texas House District #19 (our new district). If you missed the meeting, watch the video at https://www.northshoredemocrats.org/current-events. Thank you Charlie & Robin Sumners for the great videos you film and edit. During the club business meeting, the proposed amendments to the club’s Bylaws, long overdue, were passed by unanimous vote. To request copies of the complete amended Bylaws, email jjcarney100@gmail.com. |
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Calendar
October 24 First day of early voting in General Election October 28 Last day to apply for ballot by mail in General Election October 29 Canvassing Saturday, 9 AM - noon November 4 Last day of early voting for General Election November 5 Canvassing Saturday, 9 AM - noon November 8 Election Day! December 17 NSD Members Meeting/Holiday Party, 4-6 PM January 7, 2023 NSD Meet & Greet/Members Meeting, 4-6 PM |
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