Commission application number 176 submitted by Alan Freedman on 06/29/2020

First Name Alan
Middle Name/Initial R
Last Name Freedman
Voter Unique Identification number 1130822536
Ethnicity White
Gender Male
Age 65+
Education Level Post-Graduate Degree
Major Pursued Rabbinic
What is your occupation? Rabbi
Submitted Address
City Austin
State TX
Zip 78724
Verified Address
City Austin
State TX
Zip 78724
Do you have a spouse or domestic partner? Yes
Spouse/Domestic Partner First Name Lori
Spouse/Domestic Partner Last Name Freedman
Are you applying to be the student member of the commission? No
Have you been continuously registered to vote in the City of Austin for the last five years? Yes
Have you voted in 3 of the last 5 City of Austin general elections (or corresponding runoff if applicable)? Yes
Been appointed to a state or city office? No
Been elected to a state or city office? No
Been a candidate for a state or city office? No
Served as an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a political party? No
Served as an officer, employee, or paid consultant of the campaign committee of a candidate for elective state, county, or city office? No
Been a registered state or local lobbyist? No
A paid employee of the City of Austin? No
A person performing paid services under a professional services contract with the City of Austin? No
A person performing paid services under a professional or personal services contract to the City Council of the City of Austin or to any individual member of the City Council of the City of Austin? No
A controlling person of a person performing paid services under a professional or personal services contract to any member of the City Council of the City of Austin? No
Contribute or bundle one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more in aggregate to candidates for City of Austin elective office? No
Please describe your relevant analytical skills. My undergraduate degree is in Political Science so I understand the critical nature and impact of drawing equitable and representative district lines. I hold a law degree so can deal with relevant statutes and rules. I am a rabbi so I bring to the work a sense of compassion and understanding of the importance of empowerment for human dignity.
Please describe your ability to be impartial. All of my civic actions have been with a non-partisan lens. While I am progressive in outlook, that is not tied necessarily to either party and treasure the non-partisan system in city government. I have voted for and supported candidates of both parties.
Please describe your appreciation for the City of Austin's diverse demographics and geography. After having lived for 17 years in District 10, we are now residents of District 1, which is much more diverse and undergoing substantial change. The COVID pandemic has highlighted, sadly, the vast discrepancies among our various racial and ethic groups within the city in terms of access to health care and economic resources. Different portions of the city have specific geographic challenges such as flooding in Dove Springs. We are still very much a city divided by I-35, even as gentrification becomes more widespread in East Austin, and that gentrification poses challenges of its own.
Please provide your employment history. Rabbi, Temple Beth Shalom (2002-present) In this role, I have functioned as a community leader not just for my congregation but with the city as well. The position has allowed me to be exposed to any number of issues which have confronted the city over the years and have interacted with a wide range of its citizens. Rabbinic Student, Hebrew Union College (1997-2002) Attorney and educator (1975-1997) General practitioner and paralegal educator
Please provide any other information you wish to be considered during the selection of the most qualified applicants for the Commission. There is no more critical function in terms of alignment of interests within Austin than how we draw our district lines. Particularly with the census being affected by COVID and the general sense of anxiety and mistrust, it is critical that we get this right for the decade of growth ahead.
How did you hear about redistricting/Applicant Review Panel? Radio
Disclaimer Agreement Checked
Disclaimer Signature Alan R. Freedman
District District 1
Does this application qualify? Yes