What People are Saying About Commissioner Daugherty

"I have worked with Gerald on a wide range of issues. While we have not always agreed, I have found Gerald to be accessible, open and honest. Gerald always acts from his heart rather than what is the most politically expedient course of action at the moment."

I am writing to thank you for your quick response to a small group of taxpayers here in Northwest Travis County. The Upper Bull Creek Neighborhood is located on Old Lampasas Trail, just across the street from larger subdivisions recently annexed by the City of Austin and receiving full city services.

Early last year, our trash collection service was abruptly discontinued by a private refuse company, which had served our area for many years prior to the annexation by the the City. We are only a handful of customers down the south side of the street and they felt it was no longer economical for them to travel so far out of their way to service our trash and recycling needs.

In a panic, our neighborhood got together to discuss our options, from a community dumpster to asking the County for permission to burn the trash in a nearby pasture! I suggested we contact you and was given the go ahead by the Association to do so. The rest is history.

Within 24 hours of my first call, you found a refuse company that was more than willing to go out of its way to service our little row of homes. You had a representative from the company contact me and get the names and addresses of the others in our neighborhood needing service. Within a couple of days, all of the neighbors were set up with new accounts. The cost was actually equal to the previous supplier and by the time the next week's trash was ready to go out, we were taken care of.

Thanks for looking out for the interests of your constituents. There are probably a few more Democrats than Republicans on my street, but you were not concerned with any party affiliations, just that you could do what you were elected to do - help the people. That seems to be a trademark of your tenure in office.

Over the years I have worked with Commissioner Daugherty, I have come to respect his willingness to work together with the Court members to achieve practical solutions to County issues. He listens to the members of the Court, the Travis County staff and constituents who appear before the Court, giving fair consideration to all.

“Although we have not always seen eye to eye, he has always listened to my concerns. His open-door policy allowed me to voice my objections and feel that he listened and I always felt that my opinion mattered to him. And he has done more for our home school of Menchaca Elementary than anyone else I know. The kids and the school will be forever grateful.”

“I’m as blue a democrat as you can find. Gerald Daugherty and I have some fundamental political differences but he always deals with me in a straight-ahead and open manner. With Gerald Daugherty, at least you know where you stand.”

I second Perry Lorenz's comments. I, too, am true blue. Gerald, you have been an absolute delight through all CC71 efforts to arrive at good decisions and outcomes for Hwy 71. You have been so responsive and so positive. It is also delighful to work together in an amiable way when confronting problems. It makes it so much more likely to have a good outcome. My hat's off to you!

I'm a Democrat. I suspect Gerald Daugherty and I disagree on some important things. But, my experience is that Gerald considers issues by asking questions and seeking advice. In 2005, his support resulted in getting $15 million in park bonds for east Austin on the ballot. He has also consistently supported the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and more public access to it. I think Gerald has proven to be a good listener and leader.

“I strongly support and endorse Gerald Daugherty for re-election as County Commissioner Precinct 3. Gerald has proven himself to be a man of his word and a strong supporter of the communities that make up Precinct 3. He is accessible, listens and responds to the needs of the community. He had demonstrated a willingness and perseverance to work for improvements benefiting the precinct, the county and its diverse population. We need Gerald to continue his work on our behalf.”

This letter is being written in my capacity as president of the Oak Deer Park Homeowners' Association. As you know, Oak Deer Park is a one street subdivision, consisting of some fifteen homes along Antler Lane, off Anderson Mill Road. As you know, our little street was developed overy thirty-five years ago when Anderson Mill Road was only a lightly-traveled two-lane country lane bounded by barbed-wire fences and cattle grazing in the adjoining pastures. An important part of the character of Antler Lane has been the numerous large trees along it, creating an attractive canopy over much of its length.

In this context we were very concerned when we learned about two years ago that the County intended to construct a storm sewer down Antler Lane extending from Anderson Mill Road through the length of the entire subdivision. We feared that we would lose many of our priceless trees.

Now that the project has been completed, we would like to thank you for having been attentive to our concerns and for handling the construction so that not a single major tree was lost. We know that you and your project manager Chiddi N'Jie worked closely and carefully with the contractor Cash Construction Company to require this result.

Additionally, we would like to thank you and Chiddie for having gone to great lengths to help us accomplish the installation of a waterline for our subdivision during the course of the storm sewer project. Without that help, which was well beyond what would have been normally expected, we certainly would not have been able to acquire access to City water service. Given that our private water wells have been growing increasingly less capable of providing water for our homes, the importance to us of acquiring City water cannot be overstated.

Thank you again.

“Through your work and attention to this issue, it appears that significant, long-term remediation of the safety issue is now possible. Most importantly we know that every step along the way you shared our concern and commitment to finding reasonable solutions to this challenge. The quality of life in the Lake Travis area has been enhanced through your efforts.”

“CC71 would particularly like to acknowledge Commissioner Gerald Daugherty for his prompt response to our group. He has listened to our safety concerns regarding Highway 71 since the founding of our group. He has met with our community and has been extremely instrumental in bringing various groups together to problem solve this crisis in his district.”

“Thank you for your proactive county management of an important public safety issue!!”

“Cunningham credits Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty…with helping bring needed changes to the road. She said, “We feel our County Commissioner, Gerald Daugherty, has been the most helpful public official. He has listened to the public concerns regarding this highway. He has met with our group numerous times. He has helped set up meetings with other agencies. He has advocated for safety improvements on 71.”

“I just want to thank you for your support on the ICE matter as it pertains to collaborating with this federal organization. Travis County is committed to partnering with all law enforcement agencies in order to keep this community safe. Your support on this matter is very much appreciated.”

"Although I was very much against the toll roads, I find that I have had a change of heart. As it turns out there were no effective alternatives to the toll roads. In my case I find (the toll roads) are very important to my business. As a contractor, I must cover a lot of ground during the course of any given day. The toll road can get me where I need to be in a minimum amount of time. The toll road can turn a 45-minute trip into a 10-minute trip. I guess Gerald's insight to the matter was very intuitive. His good decisions continue to make a world of difference."

Commissioner Daugherty is a committed advocate for improved transportation solutions in Central Texas. He has tirelessly worked with both TxDOT and community groups to meet the mobility challenges in the Travis County region.