It is unfortunate that racism and classism have reared their ugly heads in the Mayors race here in Austin by the Steve Adler campaign. Here is an op-ed by Dr. Emilio Zamora that speaks to this. Today is the last day of early voting, btw, so get out and vote. Im voting for Mike Martinez who in my opinion (and many others), demonstrates not only progressive values, but the kind of skills, knowledge, historical memory, and expertise that our city desperately needs. Angela Ward The Progress for Austin PAC and Its Attack Mailer- Dr Emilio Zamora The Progress for Austin PAC and Its Attack Mailer Emilio Zamora Although Ron Oliveira, the spokesperson for the Steve Adler campaign, has denied a connection between his candidate for mayor and the attack mailer by the recently formed Progress for Austin PAC, neither he nor Adler have refuted the shameless accusations against Mike Martínez. This may be standard fare for front men like Oliveira—to declare distance from the $20,000 attack mailer at the same time that he obviously welcomes whatever benefit it may bring his candidate. Hiding the hand while somebody else slings the mud, however, raises serious concerns regarding Adler and his campaign. For starters, the corruption charge is bogus since it singles out Martínez on a 2011 complaint that was brought against the entire City Council and suggests that Martínez committed a criminal act when no such thing occurred. The worst of it was that more than one City Council member failed to observe the Open Meetings Act and emailed what they thought to be private and frank observations about the ineffectiveness of some members of the city staff. Neither an investigation of the complaint by the City Attorney nor the legal representation that the city provided Council members rises to the level of a scandal. Moreover, no one has ever accused Council members of sticking taxpayers with the legal bill as the attack mailer suggests. The disingenuous attack mailer raises more serious concerns with the noticeably darker appearance that its authors give Martínez. This may not have been intended to prompt racial animus or even to encourage an anti-Mexican vote on the west side of the city where the attack mailer was heavily distributed. On the other hand, the persons who designed the attack mailer should have understood that darkening Martínez—including an even darker and sinister-looking silhouette image of Martínez allegedly receiving a pay-off—invites bias and pernicious effects. Oliveira and Adler must know better, or they are shamelessly betting on a racial calculus for their campaign. Oliveira’s denial lacks plausibility for another important reason. One of the principal donors to the new PAC is Marc Winkelman, an apparently close friend of Adler and his family. It is highly improbable that Adler did not know that Winkelman was planning the attack mailer, but now that it is out and Oliveira has not refuted it, Adler must now admit that he is authorizing and embracing its distorted contents. Adler’s association with Adam Loewy, another major donor to the new PAC, raises related questions regarding the character, maturity, and judgment of some of his supporters, as well as Adler’s complicity and telling sleight of hand. Loewy, not shy about his distaste for Martínez, has tweeted that Martínez does not have a college degree and, consequently, is unfit to serve as mayor of Austin. Loewy conveniently disregards that Martínez’ long history of public service, proven leadership, and intimate knowledge of the work of the Austin City Council makes him especially qualified to serve as mayor. Loewy’s elitist suggestion that Adler’s law degree trumps Martínez’ experience, leadership, and first-hand knowledge is tantamount to being anti-working class and anti-Mexican. This bias is not an isolated and rare occurrence with little significance; it has a long history of justifying overt and covert efforts to deny poor and minority communities their due constitutional rights regardless of their station in life, gender, creed, national origin, and racial identity. Adler has obviously failed to reign in his moneyed supporters and defaults to an unethical, classist, and racially suggestive campaign that reflects negatively on both his character and moral qualifications to be Austin’s next mayor. The logical conclusion to this is that Adler agrees with the attack mailer and is perfectly willing to stoop low in order to get elected. Martínez offers more than a constructive and principled alternative to an untested leader who resorts to highly questionable campaign tactics. His experience, leadership, and knowledge of city government makes him highly informed on the central issues before Austin voters, including the environment, governance, affordable housing, and development and he has always demonstrated a willingness to debate Adler on these issues. He also embodies the hope that Austin will allow the promise of our 10-1 plan to take hold in the form of an inclusive, responsive, and truly representative city government. The choice before the voters could not be clearer.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 15:49:11 +0000
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