Chris in the News
Chris Riley has been making news in Austin long before his bid for Austin City Council. These clippings demonstrate Chris’s long-term commitment to making Austin greener and more accessible, while preserving its unique character.
”Big chess for little ones at Wooldridge Square Park”
Austin-American Statesman, Patrick George, November 3, 2008
Scores of children took advantage of Sunday’s breezy, warm weather to sharpen their skills at the sixth annual Giant Chess Tournament. The big set is out every Saturday at the park, but this week, 75 kids entered a tournament of the more serious tabletop chess.
“The kids are having a great time,” said Chris Riley, a volunteer with the Austin Parks Foundation . “You can just see the intensity in their faces.”
City Planning: Goodbye Riley, Hello Weiss
Austin Chronicle, Katherine Gregor, August 24, 2007
Of his accomplishments during his service, Riley said he is most proud of participating in the city’s transition toward more mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly development. He also has advocated for reduced parking requirements for Downtown residential projects. Riley worked to reinvigorate the commission’s three main committees (Codes and Ordinances, Comprehensive Planning, and Neighborhood Planning) and to establish regular monthly committee meetings.
He also served as the commission’s representative on the Commercial Design Standards Task Force, the Water Conservation Task Force, and the Downtown Commission – where he now must also be replaced.
Weird by Design: City’s proposed design standards emphasize livability, walkability, and flexibility
Austin Chronicle, Rachel Proctor, May, April 1, 2005
“The city is never going to be able to compete with the suburbs by becoming more suburban,” said Chris Riley of the city’s planning commission.
“The suburbs are always going to have more space and more parking. But what the city can offer is something different. What the city can offer is special places.”
Top Ten Members of Future Council Club
Austin Chronicle, January 2, 2003
7. Chris Riley: Meanwhile, the current [Planning Commission] chair is sort of the kinder, gentler Will Wynn — a progressive Downtowner who actually lives there and thus also has the stature of a neighborhood leader.
Campaign News
Riley for City Council on May 9, Austin-American Statesman Endorsement, April 19, 2009
Riley is an Austin native and graduate of Harvard University and the University of Texas Law School. He has been involved in numerous city commissions and task forces and helped found Austin CarShare … Riley has more experience and we believe is ready for the City Council.
Thirty Days Away: What the C&Es Tell, Austin Chronicle, Wells Dunbar, April 17, 2009
Place 1 candidates stake out their differences, In Fact Daily (subscription required), April 17, 2009
Riley shows a special interest in environmental issues. He remodeled his home to meet green building standards and travels by bike, not car. He also hopes Austin will take advantage of a growing trend toward sustainable food to craft new regulations promoting community gardens and reduce the amount of waste headed to the city’s landfills.
Vote to make Austin bike-friendly, Daily Texan, Tom Wald, April 14, 2009
City Council hopefuls discuss green options, Daily Texan, Jonathan Babin, April 10, 2009
Riley, who co-founded the Alliance for Public Transit and Austin CarShare, said he wanted to move away from reliance on coal and other fossil fuels.‘I am an advocate of a rapid transition to clean energy,’ Riley said. ‘We need to move aggressively to put that into place.’
Place 1 Candidates Differ in Focus, Austin-American Statesman, Sarah Coppola, April 5, 2009
Riley grew up in Tarrytown. A bicyclist who lives in an energy-efficient home, he has a special interest in transit and green issues….He’s served in several civic groups, including the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association and the Austin Parks Foundation board.
Cavazos and Riley discuss creating jobs in East Austin, In Fact Daily (subscription required), March 12, 2009
Riley said “green collar jobs” are essentially “blue collar jobs that are environmentally responsible,” such as weatherizing and installing solar panels on roofs. Riley said the Austin Technology Incubator at the University of Texas was “very interested in pursuing an East Austin summertime boot camp,” which would take students of certain academic achievement levels and guarantee them summer jobs working for tech companies. “There’s a lot we can do,” he concluded.
List of Austin council candidates is set, Austin American-Statesman, Sarah Coppola, March 9, 2009
Headlines, Austin Chronicle, February 27, 2009
City unions, representatives endorse council, mayoral bids, Daily Texan, Pierre Bertrand, February 26, 2009
The two city departments came to a decision after an extensive “ride along” process two weeks ago during which Riley and his opponent Perla Cavazos met with public-safety officials to assess the needs of the departments, officials said.
“Chris Riley actually came and rode with me in an ambulance all day, and we were able to discuss the issues that affect us,” said Steve Stewart, President of the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Employee Association. “What I get from Chris is he wants to take politics out of public safety.”
Municipal Death Match, Austin Chronicle, Wells Dunbar, February 13, 2009
Riley brings a long résumé to the Place 1 race, addressing issues important to Austin voters. Among other achievements, he’s served on the city’s Downtown Commission and Planning Commission, chairing both, founded the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association, and co-founded Austin CarShare … Riley hews to the forward-looking prescriptions favored by most progressive candidates, and his website has position papers on most issues. On the economy and environment, he sees growth in green energy and efficiency as intertwining to aid both; he favors the city building its own materials-recovery facility to recycle locally, instead of out of town, as it has been doing.
Campaign Kickin’ It, Austin Chronicle, Wells Dunbar, February 8, 2009
City Hall Hustle: The Hustle for Place 1, Austin Chronicle, Wells Dunbar, February 6, 2009
Council races are going high-tech, Austin-American Statesman, Sarah Coppola, February 5, 2009
Headlines, Austin Chronicle, January 30, 2009
Race for Two Open Seats on City Council Heats Up, KVUE, Steve Alberts, January 28, 2009
Riley Kicks Off Campaign for Place 1 Council Seat, In Fact Daily (subscription required), January 26, 2009
Former Planning Commission member Chris Riley kicked off his campaign for Place 1 on the Austin City Council Friday night in front of a large crowd of supporters. Riley indicated he plans to put his focus on the economy, the environment, and transportation as he runs for the seat being vacated by Lee Leffingwell.
New candidate enters Austin City Council race, KLBJ 590 AM, January 26, 2009
Three City Council Candidates Vying for Two Open Positions, Daily Texan, Pierre Bertrand, January 23, 2009
Campaign Money Fattening Local Coffers, Austin Chronicle, Wells Dunbar, January 23, 2009
Chris Riley and the Bicycle Advisory Council, Burnt Orange Report, Karl-Thomas Musselman, January 20, 2009
Logo Throwdown: Place ? Edition, Austin Chronicle, Wells Dunbar, January 15, 2009
Candidates Weigh In On Special Election, Austin-American Statesman, January 8, 2009
City Council Races Sneak Peak, A Neighborly Conversation, 91.7 KOOP, David Kobierowski, January 7, 2009
“Chris Riley, born and raised in Austin, served on the Planning Commission. He rides his bike almost everywhere, so he isn’t just talking the talk, but actually doing it. He founded Austin CarShare which does a lot, and founded the neighborhood association in his area.”
Political Jockeying in Austin, Austin-American Statesman, Editorial Board, January 5, 2009
Austin City Council Updates, Burnt Orange Report, Karl-Thomas Musselman, January 2, 2009
Whispers, In Fact Daily (subscription required), December 19, 2008
Riley’s supporters include Gerry Acuña, Ginny Agnew, Mike Blizzard, Jeb Boyt, Mike Clark-Madison, Jim Cousar, Chris Elliott, Tim Finley, Malcolm Greenstein, Stuart Hersh, Mark McAfee, Paul Robbins, Ted Siff and others. The website is www.chrisforaustin.com . . .
Austinites eye council seats, Austin-American Statesman, Suzannah Gonzales, December 19, 2008
City Hall Hustle: Do You Feel a Draft?, Austin Chronicle, Wells Dunbar, December 18, 2008
Whispers, InFact Daily (subscription required), December 17, 2008
Riley appoints treasurer . . . Attorney and activist Chris Riley announced Tuesday he has appointed Austin lawyer Catherine Mauzy to serve as his campaign treasurer. Katherine Haenschen has agreed to be his campaign manager. Riley served on the city’s Planning Commission for six years and on the Downtown Commission for eight years, chairing each for two years. He is expected to run for Place 1 should Lee Leffingwell decide to run for Mayor . . .
Chris Riley For Council, Austin Chronicle, Richard Whittaker, December 17, 2008
Hust FM: And They’re Off!, Austin Chronicle, Wells Dunbar, December 17, 2008
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