oakhillgazette.com
January 24, 2013 Volume 18, No. 2 Southwest Austin’s Community Newspaper Since 1995
CTRMA seeks input on evironmental concerns by Bobbie Jean Sawyer
OAK HILL - The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) will continue seeking community input on the Oak Hill Parkway project—a potential redesign of the ‘Y’ in Oak Hill—during a Jan. 31 environmental workshop meeting at 6 p.m. at the ACC Pinnacle campus on the 10th floor.
The workshop will focus on environmental concerns over the potential project. Community members who have been active in environmental issues and have previously attended meetings on the project are encouraged to attend. Steve Pustelnyk, director of com-
munications for the CTRMA, said environmental concerns laid out in a series of upcoming workshops would help shape the Oak Hill Parkway project as it progresses. “What we’re trying to do now is get a little bit more into the detail of the environmental issues and
concerns in the Oak Hill area so that when we move forward with the environmental study we can make sure there are no surprises along the way,” Pustelnyk said. “We’re really trying to get with the folks who are very familiar and very interested in that part of the community to un-
Tree talk and Walk
Bad air at Oak Hill ‘Y’
by Tony Tucci OAK HILL - Austinites who want to learn more about native plants and trees—and have fun doing it—can head for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s Tree Talk Winter Walk Saturday, Jan. 26. “It’s a great way to get people outdoors in January when they might not think of winter events,” said Alice Nance, education manager for the See TREE on page 27
by Bobbie Jean Sawyer
OAK HILL -The bumper to bumper traffic that plagues drivers at the ‘Y’ can make you late for work and drain your patience; but there’s a much more severe impact the congested roadway has on Oak Hill residents: air pollution. Chris Kite, a member of the air quality division of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), presented facts on the environmental impact of vehicle emissions at the monthly Oak Hill Association of Neighborhoods (OHAN) meeting held Wednesday, January 9th. Kite said while Austin’s air quality status, based on the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), See BAD AIR on page 7
derstand what things we should be looking out for and considering as we move through the developments of the alternatives for the process.” Pustelnyk said he anticipates an attendance of about 20 to 30 community members. The workshop will include brief See CTRMA on page 9
Gazette: Joanne Foote
Guest Conductor David Mairs led the Austin Symphony in a concert at Austin High on Friday, January 18. He delighted students by linking classical music with today’s popular music. Story on p. 16
Tree Talk Winter Walk Jan. 26
APD forum: heroes, crime and a new Commander by Travis Atkins
AUSTIN - The Austin Police Department Region 4, South/Southwest Austin Commander’s Forum last week gave citizens a chance to catch up with their district representative, learn about programs,
recognize outstanding citizens and voice concerns. In addition, a new Region 4 Commander was introduced. Lieutenant Todd Gage will officially be the new Region 4 Commander for South/Southwest Austin at the
end of January. He takes over for Jason Dusterhoft, who only held the position for three months, and then was reassigned to the downtown sector by Police Chief Art Acevedo. Gage has been with APD for 20 years and has been on patrol for the
last 10 years. “I’m going to be the new commander at the end of the month, so that’s good and bad,” Gage said. “For one, you’re going to get a rookie commander, but hopefully I bring some new ideas and things of that
nature and some energy to try to help with the problems that we all have here.” During the forum, officers honored Southwest Austin citizens who went out of their way to help stop See APD on page 22