The Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Austin, Texas Permit No. 01949 Circulation Villager Verification Council This paper can A community service weekly Since 1973 be recycled 1223-A Rosewood Avenue Austin, Texas 78702 TPA Vol. 36 No. 24 Website: theaustinvillager.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 512-476-0082 Fax: 512-476-0179 November 7, 2008 Councilman Mr. President!! Martinez offers a solution to transit labor negotiations Austin City Council Member Mike Martinez today was joined by elected officials and community leaders at Plaza Saltillo to propose an alternative to the current con- tract being negotiated be- RAPPIN’ tween Star Tran and Amal- Tommy Wyatt gamated Transit Union (ATU), Local 1091. Last week the ATU announced a work Now the stoppage by its members be- ginning Nov. 5. work begins! The proposed plan is for No one can doubt that two years (July 2007 - July November 4, 2008 will go 2009) with a retroactive pay down as a turning point in increase of 3 % for 2007 - 2008 America. The election of and an increase of 2.5% for Barack Obama raised our 2008-2009. status at home and abroad. Other components of American image has the plan include: been tarnished in the last * Accept Star Tran’s few years, because of our proposed health care package arrogant attitude and our * Eliminate proposed belief that we have the right tiered wage system to tell everyone else in the * Conduct an indepen- world how to handle their dent audit of Capital Metro by affairs. And we have not a mutually agreed upon au- been shy about inserting our ditor to be completed prior to will and beliefs in the af- July 2009 fairs of other countries Council Member when they do not operate Martinez asked ATU mem- according to our standards. President-elect Barack Obama bers to not follow through The latest example is our with a work stoppage, return invasion of Iraq, an inde- to the negotiating table to con- pendent nation. Barack Obama Elected America’s First sider this new proposal and Obama overcame race, avoid a strike at a time when age and many believe ex- Black President Central Texas cannot afford one. perience, to be elected to the there who still doubts that straight, disabled and not ment of the country and gives By. Hazel Trice Edney “The wage increases in highest office in the land. America is a place where all disabled, Americans who hope to the entire world,’’ NNPA Editor-In-Chief this proposal are comparable The country will now watch things are possible, if you’re sent a message to the world Boone said. to local public sector union with great expectations for WASHINGTON(NNPA) – still wondering if the dream that we have never been just Obama graciously con- employees for last year and a change in the country af- After a fierce fight of two years of our founders is alive in our a collection of individuals or gratulated Republican Sen. the current year,” said Coun- ter the change in the white to change the course of his- time, if you still question the a collection of red states and John McCain for his hard fight cil Member Martinez. house occurs in January tory, U. S. Senator Barack power of our Democracy, to- blue states, we are and always in a tone that caused the au- “Everyone’s health care costs 2009. Obama has been elected the night is your answer,” will be the Unites States of dience to cheer. are increasing and although African Americans should first African-American presi- Obama began his victory America,” he said as Blacks In contrast, McCain had I realize it is difficult for em- not expect that all of their dent of the United States. speech before a screaming and Whites celebrated the to shush an audience who ployees to bear additional problems will be solved, His win culminates an Chicago crowd of more than win together. booed when he congratulated costs related to health care, because thare is an African American history that ex- 250,000. “It’s the answer told In an exclusive election Obama in his concession the proposed plan is equal to American in the White pands from Black slavery to by lines that stretched around eve message to Black leaders, speech. Still McCain gra- or better than all public sec- House. The only thing that Jim Crow to a modern day schools and churches and Obama credited Black voters ciously congratulated Obama tor employees in the Central has changed is that the civil rights movement still other places like I’ve never for his pending win, saying, and even paid homage to the Texas region.” glass ceiling has been shat- marked by institutional rac- seen, people who waited ‘’You have done this.’’ Black community for its vic- Council Member tered where there is no ism. three hours, four hours, many The Black Press is partially tory. Martinez was joined by State longer a limit how high a “America is in the pro- for the first time in their lives responsible for that victory. “He managed to do so Representatives Eddie minority can go.It is going cess and has taken the first because they believed that ’’The Black vote has taken the much by inspiring the hopes of Rodriquez and Dawnna to take all of us, working step of turning from darkness this time…That their voices high road,’’ said Ray Boone, some millions of Americans who Dukes, Mayor Pro Tem together, to get the nation unto light, turning from war could be that difference.” editor/publisher of the Rich- once wrongly believed they had Brewster McCracken, City back on track. Now the unto piece, turning from ex- He recalled his cam- mond Free Press in Rich- little at stake or little influence in Council Members Lee work begins. ploitation of the poor by the paign strategy, which in- mond, Va., the former Capital the election of an American Leffingwell and Laura While we were watching powerful to equal opportunity volved connecting people of the Confederacy, which president,’’ McCain said. ‘’It is Morrison, and NAACP Aus- the national Presidential and economic justice,” said from all walks of life from both elected a Democratic presi- something I deeply admire and tin President Nelson Linder. race, some of us were not civil rights icon the Rev. Jo- traditionally Democratic and dent for the first time in more commend him for achieving. Star Tran is a contrac- paying attention to many of seph Lowery in an interview. Republican states. than 40 years. This is an historic election. I rec- tor for the Capital Metropoli- the local races. But, have “It’s a great moment for ’’It was spoken by ’’This marks a difinitive ognize the special significance tan Transit Authority whose no fear, there were no up- America.” young and old, rich and poor, departure from our shameful it has for African-americans and employees make up the bulk sets. All of the local office In awe, America has Democrat and Republican, past. This only gives hope and for the special pride that must be of the transit agency’s driv- holders were returned as paused to celebrate this vic- Black, White, Hispanic, pride to the fact that Virginia theirs tonight.’’ ers and mechanics. well as some won without tory. “If there is anyone out Asian, Native-American, gay, contributed to the advance- See Obama page 2 an opponent. “As a City Council, we But, this is Barack Town Lake Links Host Opening of Kids Café Success have changed many of our Obama’s day. There can be land development codes to no incident in the country at Campbell Elementary School is the Only guide development in areas that will overpower this where there is mass transit,” Reported by event. And no one can over Option said Martinez. “As a region, Evelyn Martin-Andeson the historical nature of the Pearce PTA needs your sup- we are investing in rail and a election. And it certainly not On Tuesday, October port. Community Night Out for rapid bus systems so it is criti- 21, 2008 at Campbell Elementary Schools will be at Pearce Middle cal that we find a way to lost on Obama. During his School on Tuesday, November School, members of the Town maximize the limited funds acceptance speech, he took 11th. This event will be held in the available to support and de- the works of Martin Luther Lake chapter of Links, Inc., rep- gymnasium from 7-8 p.m. Dinner King and made them his resentatives from Grande Com- will be served at 6:30 p.m. and there velop a vital work force in an own. He tole the group that munications and the Capital will be a Spanish translator avail- equitable and respectful man- America would overcome Area Food Bank joined together able. ner.” and that. And in asking for the grand opening of this Time for a Change!!!! Stu- “A full external, inde- the retorical question “can year’s Kids Café. dents, parents, community, teach- pendent audit will allow us we make the changes Kids Café is one of ers and churches are invited to to bring transparency and ac- several programs operated by come ask questions about Pearce countability to an agency that needed?” he answered his progress report to the community the Capital Area Food Bank in some ways has lost the own question with the re- and where do we stand? trust and confidence of the sponse, “yes we can.” (CAFB). The mission of CAFB We need your help in keep- For most older African is to nourish hungry people and ing the doors open at Pearce work force and the commu- Americans, this is a day that lead the community in ending Representatives of Town Lake Chapter Links, Inc.