Meet the San Marcos City Council Place 2 candidates
San Marcos residents will vote on the Place 2 council seat in the November elections.
What's happening? Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Meet the candidates: Candidates for Place 2 include incumbent Saul Gonzales and opponents Barbara Montana-Escobar, Brandon Oles, Joshua Paselk and Christopher L. Polanco.
San Marcos Municipal Court to adjudicate cases from new venue
Located inside the Hays County Government Center, the court will be closed Sept. 23-26 during the move from 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, where it has been located since 2013.
The overview: The court handles adjudication for all Class C misdemeanors in the city.
“Operations include conducting bench trials, jury trials, pre-trials, arraignments, hearings for juveniles, show cause hearings and conducting parking hearings,” the court’s website states. “The court also issues arrest and search warrants, capias pro fines, subpoenas, summonses and collects fines and fees.”
Austin Community College District expands student housing support with collaboration
Austin Community College District has introduced a new partnership with Housing Connector, a nonprofit organization focused on removing barriers to housing.
The impact: A recent survey conducted by the college found that 55% of students indicated they are housing-insecure, and 57% stated they would have difficulty finding $500 cash or credit in an emergency.
“Stable housing is essential to our students' success,” ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart said. “Our mission is simple: help every student succeed. This partnership is about meeting students where they are, removing barriers and making sure they have the stability and support to keep moving toward their goals.”
The partnership will connect students with local property owners who are willing to offer accessible and affordable housing options.
The context: Housing Connecter has a partnership with the city of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office, which provides funding to expand housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
