Casey Ramos[/caption]
Casey Ramos
Experience: senior in economics at St. Edward’s University, volunteer community ambassador at Smith Elementary, after-school program teacher, vice president of the Dove Springs Neighborhood Association 2013-14, youth role model as professional boxer Phone: 512-584-7072 Website: https://m.facebook.com/ramos4d2
What are the biggest challenges facing Austin, and how would you address them?
Unbridled development and underrepresentation in the areas that are historically on the lower socio-economic spectrum. I would advocate and rationalize with other city officials to truly give a voice to these areas and the city as a whole.
What improvements would you make in your district?
Beautify public streets and sidewalks. Advocate for a magnet program at Mendez Middle School and a new STEM-based high school in the district due to high demand for better education. Also, ensure that affordable housing and small business are built that truly matches our demographics.
Wesley Faulkner[/caption]
Wesley Faulkner
Experience: president of Delta Upsilon fraternity, volunteer for Meals on Wheels, volunteer for A Glimmer of Hope, Volunteer for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Texas, volunteer for Austin Dog Alliance, mentor at Baty Elementary School, volunteer for The Texas School for The Blind Phone: 512-522-8383 Website: http://austin4everyone.com
What are the biggest challenges facing Austin, and how would you address them?
Austin is becoming too expensive too fast, and citizens are being displaced. Traffic is really bad and getting worse. Our city is the most economically segregated in America. The cost of growth needs to be closer to the actual amount charged. Charging closer to the cost of growth for connection fees to city-owned utilities will help relieve the burden on the people that live here. We need to support multi-modal transportation and encourage companies to move [to Austin].
What improvements would you make in your district?
I would address the drainage concerns here. There are too many people afraid of their homes being flooded when it rains. It’s a huge risk to lives and property. I’ll also work on bringing knowledge worker jobs to this area. That will help with alleviating traffic and raise the income levels here.
Delia Garza[/caption]
Delia Garza (incumbent)
Experience: former Austin firefighter and assistant attorney general; Austin City Council Member, District 2; chair of the Regional Affordability Committee; Capital Metro board member. Phone: 956-740-7449 Website: www.deliagarza.com
What are the biggest challenges facing Austin, and how would you address them?
Working-class families in District 2 and across the city deserve access to equitable city services and the ability to afford to live and thrive in Austin. We’ve made strides forward, but we must help our most vulnerable residents by developing holistic and thoughtful solutions to address our affordability crisis. We must also continue to work on improving our traffic issues and truly build a multimodal transportation system with efficient and reliable public transportation.
What improvements would you make in your district?
I support increasing investments for transportation infrastructure. We must also ensure funding for vital services, including libraries, parks, and reliable public safety including health and human services. We must work toward policy that helps us achieve equity [in addressing issues such as] access to affordable housing and healthy food.
Candidates' responses were edited for space.
