"Don't be polite - make more noise!"

~Mike Levy, on getting action from city services

NACA had a very special guest speaker for the October 16 NACA meeting: Mike Levy, founder and retired publisher of Austin-based Texas Monthly.

Mike's address centered on the critical need for a push toward getting faster response by EMS and fire rescue, and more visibility for police. Every problem we have, Mike said, from prostitution to graffiti to code violations, can be battled effectively simply by picking up the phone - and getting an effective response.

Recommended by Mike Levy: Pockets of Crime: Broken Windows, Collective Efficacy, and the Criminal Point of View, by Peter K. St. Jean. An examination of why some neighborhoods are more prone to criminal activity than others.

   He also emphasized that Austin should be more of a "city of neighborhoods", where neighborhood associations band together to face common problems (as NACA has with the North Austin Coalition of Neighborhoods).

   While he successfully skirted the question of running for mayor, Mike did put in his opinion that single-member districts would improve accountability in the city council and give the represented neighborhoods a greater say at City Hall. That "hard push for excellence", and alleviating the shortage of resources in all city services, were his strongest message.

   NACA would like to express its gratitude to Mike Levy for his willingness to spend time with us, and for his patience with our interruptions.

~Keith Huntsman