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Michael "Max" Nofziger Kicks Off 2003 Campaign for Mayor
On Friday, January 24, 2003, Michael "Max"
Nofziger formally announced his campaign for Mayor of Austin at
Guero's on South Congress, amid a group of supporters and the media.
Max emphasized his nine years of experience on
the City Council and his twenty-five years of experience in public
service as the foundation needed now to be an effective Mayor for
Austin. He reminded the gathering that he was first elected to
the City Council in 1987 when Austin was experiencing a budget and
economic crisis, as it is today. During his tenure as a
Council Member, Austin began an economic recovery, spurred by
Nofziger's efforts to promote Austin as a center for arts and music,
high-tech businesses, strong and sensible environmental laws, sports
activities, and tourism, while preserving Austin's unique culture.
Max promised that he has the knowledge and leadership skills to
guide Austin through the current financial crisis.
After leaving the City Council, Max focused his
public service efforts on small businesses and neighborhoods to help
improve their business environment. He worked with South
Austin residents, South Congress merchants, and the Austin Police
Department to improve the neighborhood and remove prostitution.
When the seated Council chose to ignore the pleas of concerned
parents and their school-aged children to do something about the
Cinema West Theater on South Congress, which featured pornographic
movies, Nofziger encouraged a local businessman to buy the theatre
and change the use. Since that time the building has been
converted into viable office space.
Nofziger emphasized that the highly successful
"First Thursday" of every month on Congress Avenue, where merchants
stay open late and feature live music, is a successful example of
economic revitalization of small businesses. |
