Both are highly qualified and neither is a stranger to City Hall, but only one can have the Austin City Council seat being vacated by mayoral candidate Lee Leffingwell.
Perla Cavazos served on the City of Austin Planning Commission for more than two years, according to her Web site. She also served as vice chair of the City of Austin Commission for Women, and was president of the Austin Women's Political Caucus.
"At the state level, I've worked on education. I've worked on business and commerce. I've worked on property tax issues," Place 1 candidate Cavazos said.
Chris Riley chaired the Downtown Commission and the Planning Commission, and co-founded the Alliance for Public Transit and Austin CarShare, according to his Web site. In 1997, he founded the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association.
"I've been involved in a wide range of issues affecting our city," Place 1 candidate Riley said.
When asked what three issues qualify as the highest priority for the City of Austin, Riley said the economy, transportation and keeping Austin's character.
"There are an awful lot of folks out there who think the city could be doing better, and I think that's right," Riley said.
He plans to tackle those issues with the help of the people who call Austin home.
"If we just work together and find ways to integrate citizens in our city's decision making, then our city can really rise to our expectations of what we should be," Riley said.
Cavazos said her top three issues include the economy, keeping Austin affordable and planning for the future.
"We need leadership that is a relationship builder and a coalition builder, and I have experience doing that at both the local and state level," Cavazos said.
If elected, Cavazos would become the first Hispanic woman elected to city council.
"There are lots of neighborhoods and individuals and groups that are feeling disconnected from what's happening at City Hall," Cavazos said. "So I hope to broaden the range of interest and participation to City Hall."
Both want to tackle similar issues and both want your help finding solutions for those issues. Now it's up to you to decide who gets an office at City Hall.
The Lions Club Tube Rental shop was set a blaze on April 27.
San Marcos tube rental shop fire intentionally set
5/6/2009 5:34 PM
By: Russell Wilde
http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=239755
San Marcos Lions ClubPresident Mike Rhoades said one file cabinet and a couple of signs were all that could be salvaged from a fire that destroyed almost all their supplies.
"We had it all. We were ready to go. We were planning on opening last Saturday," Rhoades said.
Fire Marshal Ken Bell said all the supplies at the Lions Club Tube Rental shop made the fire worse.
"They had just about everything they could possibly store on site," he said.
Tens of thousands of dollars in tubes and other supplies were destroyed by a fire that was intentionally set. The fire marshal said they have "substantial leads" in the case, but so far no charges have been filed.
The incident has made it harder for the Lions to give to the more than 100 charities the tube rental business helps support.
"Whenever you go and jump in the river, you're not only enjoying a relaxing time on our great river but you're paying money into a good cause," San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz said.
Now after decades of giving, the Lions are finding themselves receiving donations of money and services from the community.
"We've given and given and given and that's what we do, we serve. Our motto is, 'We serve.' And now the public is coming back and serving us, in a sense," Rhoades said.
The tube rental will open in a temporary building near the burned site. New tubes have been ordered and soon their trademark river taxis will be back on the streets, carrying a full load.
"It's really gratifying to know that the people really care and appreciate what we're doing," Rhoades said.
The tube rental will be open May 16 and 17 and then seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Mr Wijat's friend Magic Rabbit 
STUNTMAN: Jon Templeton will act as Hugh Jackman's stunt double in the film Australia. Picture: MEGAN RAYLE
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