ustxtxb_obs_1981_12_04_50_00010-00000_000.pdf

The Social Cause Calendar ally, but what they stood for: declining city services in a very rich city. Houston has the third highest per capita income among the nation’s major cities and unemployment runs around 4 percent. Residents may gripe, but city property taxes are very low. Civic groups refer to the city as the “golden buckle” on the Sun Belt. But the rapid, unfettered growth has come at no small expense. In 1980, police estimated, one of every 11 Houstonians was the victim of violent crime; the city’s 3,100-officer force, police say, is far undermanned. On any given day, one-fourth of the city’s buses do not run; mass transit is laughably nonexistent. A constant crush of cars jams freeways. Garbage collection in parts of town is erratically sporadic. But, as McConn once pointed out: “We may have potholes in Houston, but at least you’ve got enough money in your jeans to get the damn tire fixed.” For years, Houstonians were willing to make that trade: foregoing adequate city services for a couple of bucks more in their pockets. In the first election, McConn was alone in proclaiming the health of the city. Vote for me, he said, and we’ll grow, grow, grow together. Bigger is better. Quantity is quality. Damn the potholes, full speed ahead. But the serious contenders among his opponents were preaching a different message, and they were reaching a growing congregation. They had perceived what McConn had not: that the city’s ranks, swelled by immigrants dissatisfied with the tarnish they found under the gold, had decided that, well, maybe it’d be worth exchanging a few dollars to avoid those damn potholes in the first place. Faced with that disenchantment among voters, McConn’s opponents took positions damning the city’s haphazard, unbridled growth and called for a restrained approach to further expansion. In the general election, McConn enjoyed the support of much of the city’s traditional downtown business establishment. There were a few defectors who had sensed McConn was doomed, but not many. In addition, the mayor had the support of some of the city’s old guard minority groups \(such as the black Harris County Council of Organizations, which decided for some reason not to endorse Al Green, a black justice of the It wasn’t near enough. Bucking the line, many blacks and Hispanics crossed over to Whitmire, who also attracted the young, the liberal and many of the moderates McConn had counted on. Heard splitting some, but not many, with Macy got the conservative, older, richer, Republican vote, pulling away some of the borderline conservatives McConn had hoped to get. After the count, it was Whitmire, Notices on upcoming events must reach the Observer at least three weeks in advance. HAZARDOUS WASTES WORKSHOP The Houston Toxic Substances Task Force, the Texas Environmental Coalition, and For the People, Inc., will present a free public workshop on “Protecting Groundwater from Hazardous Wastes” on Dec. 5 at the Univ. of Houston, Univ. Center, Lafitte Room. 9-5. Agenda includes discussion of hazardous wastes disposal operations, laws and regulations concerning disposal, and public involve ment in monitoring and assuring safe on-site disposal of wastes. 228-0037 for more information. BUDAFEST CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Fine crafts, entertainment, and food specialties such as German sausages and Mexican dishes will highlight the 2nd annual Budafest Christmas Bazaar, Dec. 6, 10-5, beneath the live oaks of the park facing Buda’s main street. 50 area craftspeople will be displaying their handmade wares while jugglers and puppets entertain. Buda is 15 miles south of Austin, just off IH35. BEANS AND CORNBREAD BENEFIT The Austin Lesbian/Gay Political Caucus will hold a beans and cornbread benefit on Dec. 6 at Austin Lambda, 603 W. 12th, 5:30 p.m., $5 admission. DALLAS CISPES DINNER A benefit dinner for the Committee in Solidarity be served on Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m., at Lucy’s, 3136 cludes Mexican dinner and speakers who will discuss current legislative and political events in or about El Salvador. Cash bar. Advance tickets at 375-3715 or 526-7967. AUSTIN HOUSING ORDINANCE The Citizens for United Austin, the broad-based coalition that is campaigning to defeat the Jan. 16 initiative that would allow landlords to deny housing to lesbians and gays, will receive all proceeds from the Dec. 16 production of “Greater Tuna,” a comedy satire about small town Texas life, at TransAct Theater, 222 E. 6th, Austin, 8 p.m., $6 admission. Progressive Organizations In no hurry, the Observer is building up lists of the political organizations we regard as progressive, their meeting evenings where that is applicable, and a phone number for each, in Texas cities. The editor invites communications recommending organizations for inclusion, by city. AUSTIN ACORN, 8 nghbrhood groups, 442-8321; Amn. Friends Service Cmte., 474-2399; Amnesty Intl., Group 107, Cindy Torrance, Bx. 4951, Aus. 78765; Austinites for Public Transportation, 3rd Tue., 441-2651; Aus. Lambda, every Mon., 478-8653; Lesbian-Gay Pol. Caucus, 4th Tue., & LesbianGay Demos. of Tx., 478-8653; Aus. Nghbrhood, Ccl., 4th Wed., 442-8411; Aus. Nghbrhood Fund, 3rd Mon., 451-2347; Aus. Tenants’ Ccl., 474-1961; Aus. Women’s Political Caucus, 1st & 3rd Tues., 472-3606; Black Aus. Demos., 478-6576; Brotherhood of Viet. Vets., every Sun., 443-4830; Central Aus. Demos., 3rd Wed., 477-6487; Central Tx. ACLU, 477-4335; Central Tx. Lignite Watch, Travis Co., 479-0678; Citizens’ Coalition for an Economical Energy Pol icy, 474-4738; Cmte.