oakhillgazette.com
December 18, 2014 Volume 19, No. 26 Southwest Austin’s Community Newspaper Since 1995
It’s Troxclair by a hair— 57 votes over Scruggs by Ann Fowler OAK HILL - 12,401 Oak Hill area voters went to the polls for the runoff election between Ellen Troxclair and Ed Scruggs for the District 8 seat on the Austin City Council. That was 42% fewer than the 21,538 people who cast ballots in the November general election. When the dust settled Wednesday morning, just 57 votes, less than one half of one percent, separated the two. In many states, that slim margin would have triggered an automatic recount, but not in Texas. Troxclair posted this statement to her campaign facebook page Wednesday: “I am so humbled and
overwhelmed by the incredible outpouring of support, and cannot wait to get to work for District 8! We had a genuine message that resonated, gained incredible supporters along the way, and never gave up on our determination to bring common sense leadership to City Hall. Now the real work starts, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together!” As of press time, Scruggs had not yet conceded the close contest to Troxclair. While Scruggs garnered 233 more votes in Election Day voting, Troxclair led by 290 votes in early voting. Ellen Troxclair, 29, is a realtor and former chief of staff to state Rep.
Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs. She lives in the Villages at Western Oaks. She is a UT graduate and is particularly concerned with issues including property taxes, transportation, the cost of living, public safety and responsible spending. Ed Scruggs, 49, a clinical research associate, has lived in Austin for 23 years—13 of those years in Southwest Austin. He currently lives in Circle C. His children attend Kiker Elementary and Gorzyki Middle schools. Scruggs is a neighborhood advocate and former Circle C Homeowner Association director. While Troxclair is a Republican
See Troxclair on p. 24
OHAN names Citizen of the Year by Bobbie Jean Sawyer
Rafael Ramirez (#35) of Austin High tries to out-jump Bowie’s Austin Duffin (#30) in a District meeting between the rival teams. Sports begins on p. 12 Gazette: Sarah Weeks
OAK HILL - Jim Schissler, president of OHAN, civil engineer and member of the City of Austin Environmental Board, was named Oak Hill’s 2014 Citizen of the Year at the combined Oak Hill Association of Neighborhood (OHAN) and Oak Hill Business and Professional Association annual holiday party on Dec. 10 at Mandola’s Italian Market. Schissler, who has served as president of OHAN for three years, said he was honored by the recognition. “I was really surprised and grateful,” Schissler said. “It felt good to get some recognition for all the effort.” Schissler said he felt compelled to join OHAN to help settle unresolved issues within the community. “I got involved with OHAN because I saw there was a need for someone
with knowledge and ability to deal with the city and help out and resolve issues,” Schissler said. “That’s my daytime job as a civil engineer and I thought I could help bring some of that knowledge and expertise to help OHAN get things done that they need to get done, being able to deal with folks at City Hall, mainly, and also with the county and the state representatives.” Schissler will end his term as OHAN president at the end of the year, but will continue to serve as a member of the organization. Schissler said OHAN would continue to follow ongoing issues, such as traffic improvement projects, in 2015. “Next year we want to continue getting input for the Oak Hill Parkway design as it moves forward in the
See OHAN on p. 22
Jim Schissler was named Oak Hill’s 2014 Citizen of the Year
Happy Holidays! We’re on vacation until 1-8-2015