“Land, water, fire and traffic safety continue to dominate the conversation. Precinct 3 stretches from downtown Austin to beyond Briarcliff on SH 71 to Jonestown on SH 1431 and growing communities along 620 and 183. Precinct 3 is challenged to balance growth with environmental stewardship amidst the jurisdictional soup that oversees transportation, land use and water. My office will emphasize customer service so we can help our neighbors understand which governmental agency governs what, what policy options exist, and how we can work together to move real solutions forward.”
Commissioner Ann Howard will have a team of experts leading her office’s initiatives: Chief of Staff Vicki Ashley, Policy Advisor Mick Long, and Director of Constituent Services and Communications Lucy Oglesby.
Vicki Ashley, Chief of Staff, has lived in Precinct 3 since moving to Austin in 1987. An attorney and graduate of Baylor Law School, Vicki has dedicated her professional career to public service at the Travis County Attorney’s office, most recently as Director of the Criminal Trial Division. In that role, she was responsible for developing and implementing various jail diversion programs and specialty dockets for misdemeanor offenses, in addition to her administrative duties. Vicki has extensive experience working with all county departments. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and looks forward to the day when it will once again be safe to travel.
Mick Long, Policy Advisor, has lived in Precinct 3 for 30 years. An attorney and graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, Mick has worked in both state and federal government for many years. Most recently, he served as the Director of the Oversight and Enforcement Division of the Texas Public Utility Commission. He has also been in private practice in Austin. An outdoor enthusiast, he loves the beautiful parks and recreational activities that Travis County provides. His new grandson is presently the center of his attention outside of work.
Lucy Oglesby, Director of Constituent Services and Communications, is also a long-time resident of Precinct 3, and she looks forward to assisting its residents with any inquiries they may have. She is a veteran of many political campaigns, including President Barack Obama, Governor Ann Richards and Ann Howard, and has worked for several years with political consultant Alfred Stanley. She also has served as a Development Director for the People’s Community Clinic and a volunteer for the first Lake Travis Film Festival. Her favorite place to hang out in Precinct 3 is Graceland Grocery at Circle Drive and Highway 290. You can often find her there, grabbing a coffee made especially for her by her teenage son, who works behind the counter as a barista and clerk.
Ann, Vicki, Mick and Lucy all look forward to continuing their community work as dedicated servants to their neighbors in Precinct 3.
Dean Max Sherman will administer the Oath of Office to Ann on January 1 at 2pm. They plan to meet outside, with masks and social distancing, at the Barbara Jordan statue on the UT Campus. Sherman was Dean of the LBJ School of Public Affairs when Ann was a student there and the late Honorable Barbara Jordan held the LBJ Centennial Chair in National Policy.