On Friday, March 21, 2008, join us for a presentation by County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty on the topic: Transportation.
Our mission is to elevate the role of leadership in the lives of the citizens of Central Texas; to focus on the vitality and necessity of regional leadership capital; and to serve others through the process of encouraging individuals to grow, prosper and make a significant difference through the practice of leadership skills.
Gerald Daugherty grew up in the Houston area and graduated from Cypress-Fairbanks High School in 1968. He was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox baseball organization and after a short period of time realized that an education was more obtainable than making it to the big leagues. He returned to Austin where he graduated from the University of Texas in 1975. He has been an Austin businessman for over 25 years, owning and operating several successful ventures including a retail sporting goods store and the Pleasant Valley Sportsplex. A bachelor for 45 years, he married Charlyn Cook Daugherty in 1995.
Gerald was elected to the Travis County Commissioners Court in November of 2002 and was unopposed for re-election for 4 more years in 2004. He serves as the County Commissioner of Precinct 3, which covers 48% of the landmass of Travis County. The Precinct includes 21 of the 31 Travis County parks, 8 of the 13 Emergency Service Districts and 52% of County accepted roads – 626 Miles of the total 1193 miles of County roads, presenting a challenge the Commissioner has accepted with vigor.
Commissioner Daugherty is especially proud of his participation in the transaction for the acquisition by Travis County of the Reimer’s Ranch and the Pogue Hollow Preserve. This acquisition will ensure the protection of 2,350 acres of environmentally sensitive and scenic parkland. The pristine land with 3 miles of frontage on the Pedernales River is an ideal addition to Precinct 3 parkland.
The Commissioner’s main concern for Travis County is keeping county taxes at bay. One of his first official acts after being elected to the Court was to have his salary reduced by 10%. He is passionate about improving the ways that government can positively influence people’s lives, taking a stand for responsive county departments, effective law enforcement and efficient emergency services. He is known for being a good listener, considers all sides of an issue, and represents his constituents with a high degree of fairness. Gerald is best known as a person who says what he means and means what he says..
Gerald has crusaded for effective mobility and transportation solutions for the past decade. He formed ROAD (Reclaim our Allocated Dollars), an organization that was the major force in successfully defeating the multi-million dollar light rail referendum in 2000. As a member of several transportation groups, he continues to help shape the future of transportation projects for our area.
Commissioner Daugherty serves on the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, known as CAMPO (which deals with our overall transportation/mobility system), the Austin-San Antonio Growth Corridor Council, the Austin-San Antonio Commuter Rail District Board, the Capital Area Planning Council of Governments, known as CAPCOG, and the Joint City/County Subcommittee. He serves on the county’s EMS Committee, the Purchasing Board, Investment Advisory Committee, and with City of Austin Mayor Will Wynn is co-chair of the Balcones Canyonland Conservation Plan Coordinating Committee. He served on the Executive Committee of the Regional Water Quality Planning Project and with the LCRA created the Southwest Travis County Growth Dialogue Process, which was designed to help shape the kind of development in Western Travis County that protects property rights and protects the sensitive environmental assets that this community deserves.
Commissioner Daugherty does not consider himself a politician. He does not intend to overstay his office nor does he have any intention of running for another office.
The breakfast will be held from 7:30 until 9:00 a.m. on Friday, March 21st , at the Austin Club. The Austin Club is located on the north side of 9th Street Between Congress and Brazos. The cost is $20.00 per person. Reservations are required. To register go to www.theaustinleadershipforum.com. Registration closes on Wednesday, March 19th at 6:00p.m.. Please don’t delay.
