Hot off the press is the Dec.-Jan. Bouldin Bulletin.
The same good stuff you might have read while drinking a cup of coffee —but in digital form.
With more election information HERE but note a correction for Secretary position-still open.

BCNA Officer Elections – December 10, 2019

The Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association will hold its annual officer’s election at the next General Association Meeting on Tuesday, December 10.
We are a volunteer organization and depend on those neighbors who are willing to donate time and energy to make sure our interests are represented at City boards and commissions, at the Austin Neighborhood Council and with Austin City Council. Our officers and committees deal with zoning issues, traffic problems and neighborhood parks; manage our funds, maintain the web site and publish newsletters.

As always, we will take nominations from the floor at the meeting. You have to be a registered member of BCNA as of November 30, in order to be a candidate or to vote.

Below is a slate of candidates that have announced their intention to run for office at this time. We are also looking for volunteers to serve on Committees for Parks, Traffic, and Zoning issues. We asked each candidate to provide us with a short statement. In the spirit of the League of Women Voters, these statements are unedited.

Note that we still need 3 volunteer candidates-Secretary, Lavender and Blue Sector Representatives.

The President is the primary spokesperson of the BCNA. S/he presides at all meetings of BCNA general membership and the Executive Committee, makes appointments with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee, and cosigns all checks drawn on the account of BCNA.
Candidate: Jesse Moore, Incumbent
I am terminally ambivalent and therefore tend to be more process-oriented than results-oriented. My main goal as President is to foster an environment that encourages people to both listen to each other and speak up. I find this to be a very challenging job and I know my fellow committee and officer volunteers do as well. I cannot express my gratitude to them and to all BCNA members who participate in their own way year after year, decade after decade.

The Vice President – Neighborhood Issues shall assist and support committees related to zoning, development, parks and traffic. S/he will preside at BCNA meetings when necessary due to the absence of the president.
Candidate: Kate Francis, Curent Lavender Sector Re
In the 2 short years I’ve been involved with BCNA, my favorite part has been meeting new neighbors and getting to know all of the stories and histories of Bouldin Creek. I’d like to have more community get-togethers in the coming year so that the neighborhood association continues to grow with both old and new faces – events like happy hours, park pot lucks, movie and theatre outings and the like. I’m hoping to organize another monthly social meeting in addition to last-Friday-of-the-month Happy Hour at El Mercado. If you are a local business owner and want to host an event, please get in touch!

The Vice President – External Affairs shall assist and support activities related to community ambassadors, neighborhood-wide social events, creek clean ups, neighborhood outreach, resource persons and serves as the Austin Neighborhood Council Representative.
Candidate: Paul Strange, Incumbent
When I was working there was a lot of travel involved in my job. Consequently, volunteer activities were not an option. Now that I’m retired I have an opportunity to get involved and there is no better place to do it than in the community in which we have chosen to live. I started out delivering Bulletins and then was elected as the Orange Sector Representative. Now as VP External Affairs I get to represent BCNA and share our interests and concerns with the Austin Neighborhoods Council and other community groups. I’m running for reelection to continue in that important position.

Communications Director – shall assist with and support activities related to information dissemination, newsletter publication, web sites and other mass media.
Candidate: Mimi Martinez McKay
As a longtime Bouldin resident and property owner (1994), I’ve reaped the benefits of the terrific work of all those actively contributing to BCNA and am ready to give back by serving as the Communications Director. I trust my professional background in communications for several government entities (including federal, state and county) will be valuable should you select me for this position. The specific focus of my work over the past 20 years has been on implementing policies to improve services for those dealing with serious mental health issues which is certainly a critical issue for Bouldin and many other neighborhoods throughout our city.

Treasurer – shall assist and support activities related to finance, including account record keeping, fund deposit and withdrawals, and other related business management with respect to fundraising. The Treasurer shall co-sign all checks drawn on the account of BCNA; s/he will give a full report of all accounts on a monthly basis to the Executive Committee and shall keep the General Association apprised of all transactions on BCNA accounts.
Candidate: Ronnie Dittmar
I’ve been Treasurer several times in recent years, subject to term limits. Since the current Treasurer is moving back to his former office of Yellow Sector rep, I hope to step back in to continue to keep the financial accounts updated, reconciled and reported to the Association. My qualifications include 23 years of Association membership, mostly in an officer capacity, including my current role as Bulletin (newsletter) Coordinator, and Parks Committee member. I’m also a CPA, which has its own requirements for competence and ethical standards.

The Secretary shall record minutes of the General Association Meeting and the Executive Committee meetings, as well as assist and support activities related to records and agenda keeping, membership validation, and database managing.
Candidate Needed:

Sector Representatives – must live in the sectors they represent.
The Green Sector:
N/S borders: Oltorf to Mary
E/W borders: Railroad tracks to South First
Candidate: Nick Saragossa, Incumbent
Long time Austin resident, son of career Air Force officer who transferred to Austin in 1971. Graduate of Lanier high school, then the University of Texas, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. Earned commission as US Navy officer in 1983, and designation as a Naval Aviator upon completing pilot training in 1984. After leaving active duty in 1989, Nick chose to pursue a career in the high tech industry, where he has worked with several leading companies, including IBM, Dell and Motorola. Nick has been with NXP (formerly Freescale) in Austin since 2006, and holds patents in the area of high speed communication technology
If elected, Melynda Nuss, former VP of Neighborhood Issues, will serve as back-up representative.

The Lavender Sector:
Oltorf to Johanna
South First to S. Congress
Need Candidate

The Blue Sector
Mary to Monroe
Railroad tracks to South First
Need Candidate

The Yellow Sector
Johanna to South of the School for the Deaf
South First to S. Congress
Candidate: Jeff Seiden/Jody Zemel
I have volunteered with BCNA for 5 years as Sector Rep and Treasurer. I participate on the Zoning Committee and have a particular focus on Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility, Traffic, Parking and Safety issues facing Yellow Sector
residents. As Sector rep, I will work to balance Bouldin’s historical neighborhood feel with the numerous changes to our area proposed by the CoA. I’ve been an Austin resident for over 22 years and moved to Eva Street 9 years
ago. When I am traveling, I will be assisted in the Yellow Sector rep role by Jody Zemel, a long time Bouldin resident with deep experience in both BCNA and CoA neighborhood, development and planning issues.

The Pink Sector
Monroe to Gibson between Railroad tracks to South First
Gibson to Christopher between S. 5th & South First
Candidate: Scottee Downing, Incumbent
It’s been said that the best protection for your home is to get to know your neighbors. When I moved to Austin, I was looking for community and a place to grow some roots. This past year was my first experience being involved with BCNA, and I have never felt more at home. While our neighborhood is rapidly changing, I am committed to staying educated on internal and external factors that will affect our homes and families. I have received more from my Bouldin neighbors than I could ever give back, and I appreciate the opportunity to serve in this role.

The Orange Sector
Gibson to Christopher between RR tracks & S. 5th
Christopher to Barton Springs Rd between RR track and Bouldin
Candidate: Sue Mercado, Incumbent
I have served as the Orange Sector representative for this past year. There has been a learning curve but I feel that this coming year if elected, I will be better equipped with a year under my belt. I would like to encourage more input from my neighbors in this zone. I feel that I offer a fresh perspective and have some new ideas that I can bring to the table. I’m born and raised in Austin, and have the history, knowledge, and love for the city and this neighborhood.

The Brown Sector
Copeland to Barton Springs Rd
S. 2nd to South First
Candidate: Stephanie Scholten, Incumbent
As representative for the past two years, I have done my best to keep Brown Sector residents informed and to encourage more diverse voices in the neighborhood association. It has been so rewarding to see many of you now regularly attending BCNA meetings and getting involved with issues that will affect your daily life (whether you’re currently aware of it or not!) I hope to see even more new faces next year so that we can all try to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and affordable community for everyone.

December Events Affecting Bouldin Creek Neighborhood
Please Note: Heavy traffic and various parking
restrictions will impact Bouldin Creek Residents
Ballet Austin Nutcracker School Shows – December
7th through December 23rd
Location: Long Center and Parking Garage
https://balletaustin.org/performances/thenutcracke

Austin Trail of Lights – Friday December 13th –
23rd , 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Location: Zilker Park, Traffic impact Zilker
Park Neighborhoods
https://austintrailoflights.org/

January / February Events
Austin Marathon – February 16th See website for road closure information
http://austintexas.gov/event/austin-marathon-1

EVENTS DOWN THE HILL
Palmer Heavy Traffic December 2019 HERE

Whether you’re interested in avoiding traffic, parking issues, or strolling to a good time, here are the websites to discover the goings-on of which to be aware:
LONG CENTER
http://thelongcenter.org/events/

PALMER AUDITORIUM
https://www.palmereventscenter.com/events/

Dog owner note: The Common Law
Dogs and nuisance issues (poop, leashes, and noise)
https://www.austinchronicle.com/columns/2019-02-08/the-common-law/

.Meeting Schedules:
BCNA Meeting Schedules:
BCNA General Association Meeting: 2ndTuesday, every other month
BCNA Steering Committee Meeting: 1st Monday, each month
BCNA Zoning Committee Meeting: 3rd Monday each month
Meetings at The High Road, 6:45pm 700 Dawson Road, Unless otherwise noted.