<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
	<channel>
		<title>Here’s How the Mayor and Council Spent</title>
		<description>Discuss Here’s How the Mayor and Council Spent</description>
		<link>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles</link>
		<lastBuildDate>Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:32:53 --500</lastBuildDate>
		<generator>JComments</generator>
		<atom:link href="http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_jcomments&amp;task=rss&amp;object_id=182&amp;object_group=com_content&amp;limit=10&amp;format=raw" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
		<item>
			<title>Kate Ann says:</title>
			<link>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-337</link>
			<description><![CDATA[This is a really well-done story! Lots of solid reporting obviously went into this and I am happy to see this information presented so clearly to the public. (I also want to wish this reporter a Happy Birthday 9) Thanks, Austin Bulldog, for the continued great coverage of relevant Austin news!]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Kate Ann</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:20:03 --500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-337</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Mauibrad says:</title>
			<link>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-332</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Barksdale: If Spelman is speaking out about community policing techniques as distinguished from "problem-oriented policing" or "more effective ways to catch crooks and prevent crime," then it is having absolutely no effect on the repeated recent cases of excessive force by the APD and the attitudes thereof. It is questionable whether you all know what "community policing" really is, having seen it work in other places, but it is not what is practiced in Austin nowadays. Further, have not heard Mr. Spelman speak out about any of the recent high profile cases involving excessive force. Again I refer you to this http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/spl/documents/AustinPD_taletter_12-23-08.pdf Does Mr. Spelman expect to lose APA or voter support if he were to speak out about the continuing trend of excessive force? Heavens knows the Mayor seems to believe so and appears to lack the moral confidence to speak out about it. It is really quite disappointing to see such wimpy and unprincipled public officials such as this in Austin. I remember it wasn't always this way in Austin just 20 years ago. Where did the body politic lose it's way and moral compass in Austin?]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Mauibrad</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:06:52 --500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-332</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Barksdale English says:</title>
			<link>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-331</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Mauibrad: CM Spelman has discussed the importance of using problem-oriented policing as a key factor in deciding how resources are allocated in several council work sessions and meetings over the past 3 years. Recently he's been meeting with neighorbood groups to discuss his ideas and get their feedback, and most recently he spent about 2 hours with the Public Safety Commission during their January meeting talking about this. It's never enough but he's out there talking about it with folks. As far as this story is concerned, the Bulldog asked questions regarding the benefits his office expenses provide to city taxpayers, not about policing or use of force. So that's why you don't see anything in that regard in this report. Disclosure: I am one of CM Spelman's Policy Advisors at City Hall.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Barksdale English</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:26:30 --500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-331</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Mauibrad says:</title>
			<link>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-330</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Debbie: I haven't seen him give any such quotes recently. Spelman could have spoken up about the need for more community policing and the need for less unreasonable excessive force by the APD in the quotes that he gave to The Bulldog, but he didn't.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Mauibrad</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:49:43 --500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-330</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Debbie Russell says:</title>
			<link>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-329</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Mauibrad: to your first point...what Spelman is talking about is community policing. That we used to do it but don't and he wants us to get back to it. He's been the only councilmember to question police issues; I only wish he was more vocal than he is.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Debbie Russell</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:20:38 --500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-329</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Mauibrad says:</title>
			<link>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-327</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Re: Rob DAmico's point: "$26,216 to be a member of the council of mayors. I'm sure membership is necessary, but that's a lot!" I agree, $26,216 of taxpayer money is excessive for what is basically membership in a municipal social society. There is nothing Austin gets from that that we need or do not already have access to through other channels. This is another one of those longstanding cozy public-private relationships that serves no useful public purpose. Same goes for all of the international travel. These people in City Hall need to be a LOT more frugal.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Mauibrad</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:40:43 --500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-327</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Ken Martin says:</title>
			<link>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-326</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Re: Rob DAmico: What benefits do Austinites get out of membership in the U.S. Council of Mayors is the question we asked Mayor Lee Leffingwell’s office. We got no reply. The mayor’s office has not responded to this or any other question we have asked since we published our background investigation about the mayor on December 2.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Ken Martin</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:17:35 --500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-326</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Rob DAmico says:</title>
			<link>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-325</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Excellent report. Some of these expenditures seem fine, others a bit excessive. At the very least it puts council members on notice to watch their spending. I'm curious about the $26,216 to be a member of the council of mayors. I'm sure membership is necessary, but that's a lot! What benefits do Austnites get out of this?]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Rob DAmico</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:39:43 --500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-325</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Mauibrad says:</title>
			<link>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-324</link>
			<description><![CDATA[OK, hotshot Professor Spelman, there's two sides to crime prevention. How about the prevention side of it with a professional, community policing force? You did't say anything about that. Acevedo has not done what he was hired to do. The rank and file are just running roughshod over Acevedo the outsider, who does not have the respect and standing to instill discipline and professionalism that DOJ called for in the following http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/spl/documents/AustinPD_taletter_12-23-08.pdf If this is your area of expertise AND expense, Mr. Spelman, then why haven't you spoken up to make a positive difference on this issue?]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Mauibrad</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:57:26 --500</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=182:voters-elected-them-heres-how-they-spent&amp;catid=3:main-articles#comment-324</guid>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
