About 60 supporters of City Councilwoman Elena Guajardo (top row, left photo) came together on March 28 at the home of Cheryl White and Jill Ireland (top row, center photo) for an "Elect Elena Again" fundraiser. Jan Olsen and Gerald Aves (bottom row, left photo) helped plan the party. During her speech to the gathering Guajardo spoke of her first term accomplishments and of her desire to continue the work she started. Guests at the event included gay ex-Marine Eric Alva, who is now an HRC spokesman against "Don’t Ask Don’t Tell," and his partner Darrell Parsons (top row, right photo).

Express-News endorses Gujardo reelection
The San Antonio Express-News has endorsed District 7 City Councilwoman Elena Guajardo’s reelection. Following is the text of the endorsement:

Elena Guajardo is our choice for District 7
San Antonio Express-News, Editorial Page, April 29

"Guajardo, who is retired, has demonstrated an earnest willingness to give the job her full attention. She is dedicated to representing the average people of her district.

"While we don't agree with all her votes, Guajardo is willing to build consensus and has earned a chance to finish the work she has started.

"In that vein, we believe Guajardo's opponent, youthful attorney Justin Rodriguez, should finish out his term on the San Antonio Independent School District board and consider future runs for the council."

Guajardo campaign announces endorsements
QSanAntonio, April 22

The campaign for the reelection of District 7 City Councilwoman Elena Guajardo has released a list of endorsements she has received.

Groups endorsing Guajardo include the San Antonio Police Officers' Association, the San Antonio Professional Firefighters' Association, the Service Employees International Union, the Bexar County Central Labor Council (AFL-CIO), the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, and the Sierra Club.

Guajardo has also received awards for: Elected Official of the Year from the National Association of Social Workers, Environmental Hero from the Sierra Club, and Outstanding Elected Official from the Citizen Tree Coalition.

The city election is scheduled for May 12.

District 7 candidates square off at forum
San Antonio Express-News, March 20
Councilwoman Elena Guajardo and challenger Justin Rodriguez clashed on March 19 over incentives for Microsoft Corp. and the amount of the proposed bond package dedicated to their District 7 during a candidate’s forum at St. Mary's University.

In District 7, a classic fight — with a twist
San Antonio Express-News, March 19
City elections certainly tilt to the advantage of incumbents, but in Councilwoman Elena Guajardo's case, it may not be by much. Guajardo is battling to keep her District 7 seat against a strong challenge by attorney Justin Rodriguez, a board member of the San Antonio Independent School District. It's poised to become one of the hardest-fought contests on the May 12 ballot.

Guajardo reelection campaign is off and running
QSanAntonio, February 23

Dozens of volunteer block walkers went into action on February 17 on behalf of District 7 Councilwoman Elena Guajardo. Guajardo made history two years ago when she won a seat on the San Antonio City Council by garnering 55% of the runoff vote, making her the city’s first openly GLBT office holder at the time. She now seeks reelection for her second and final term.

Guajardo officially filed on February 15 to be placed on the May 12 ballot. However, she unofficially announced her intention to run again last October during her birthday celebration. Guajardo told QSanAntonio that her campaign is off to a solid start and feels that she is in a strong position to win a second term.

Grassroots donors are funding Guajardo’s reelection efforts with most of her resources coming from small dollar contributions. Her campaign finance report shows she’s raised over four times more than her opponent, Justin Rodriguez, an attorney and member of the San Antonio ISD Board of Trustees.

Guajardo has once again been endorsed by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund which has posted the following on their Web site: "As the first openly LGBT member of San Antonio's City Council, Elena worked to build communication and understanding within the San Antonio Police Department. She nominated three representatives of the LGBT community to sit on a community panel that interviewed candidates for the new Chief of Police. Elena worked with San Antonio's Department of Community Initiatives, successfully opposing budget cuts for AIDS services."

Prior to her service on the council, Guajardo worked for 27 years at Southwestern Bell where she was the Associate Director of Staff and Support Services before retiring in 2000. She has served on the boards of the League of Women Voters, Human Rights Campaign, City of San Antonio Affirmative Action Advisory Committee, Bexar County Tejano Democrats, National Association for Women, Stonewall Democrats and the National Association of Social Workers.

Anyone interested in block walking, working a phone bank or making a contribution can contact the Elena Guajardo Reelection Campaign at (210) 681-3476 or through her Web site: www.VoteElena.com.

Councilwoman Guajardo cites first year's accomplishments
QSanAntonio, July 3

Elena K. Guajardo has served on the San Antonio City Council since last June when she captured 55% of the runoff vote making her the city’s first openly gay office holder. As she enters her second year in office, Councilwoman Gujardo has released the following list of projects she has worked on during the first twelve months. QSanAntonio is publishing this report as a public service.

COMMITTEES

Quality of Life:
-- Working to maintain a high level of standard for our communities

Intergovernmental Affairs:
-- Federal, State and Inter-local relations

Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
-- Managing state and federal transportation funds

Committee of Seven:
-- Developing county-wide projects to alleviate flooding
-- Laddie Place Regional Storm Water Facility

City/County Joint Commission on Elderly Affairs

ON THE COUNCIL

Adopted budget with:
-- No new tax rate increase
-- Increased funding for street maintenance
-- All new fire trucks,
-- Upgraded EMS -- added three new units & upgraded equipment
-- Protected funding for Domestic Violence Program
-- Funded Delegate Agencies to provide social services
-- Increased funding for Arts

Adopted historic ordinance to protect the environment (water & trees) by limiting Grandfathering claims

Authored an ordinance to prevent selling of vehicles on vacant lots (curbstoning)

Signed and supported Council Consideration Request to strengthen to bandit sign enforcement

Advocated for major reforms of Animal Care

Advanced the development of Laddie Place Regional Storm Water Facility
-- Approved funding for (Laddie Place I): a) Contract awarded June 2006 b) Groundbreaking in Summer 2006 c) Completion of Laddie Place I by Summer 2007
-- Funding approved for Laddie Place II: a) Design complete by August 2006 b) Construction to begin by December 2006

Partner in creation of the Westside Development Corporation

Hired New City Manager

Hired New City Attorney

Hired New Chief of Police

IN THE DISTRICT

Opened new Library

Opened new Fire Station

Repaving more city streets in District 7 than ever before

Funded Operation Slow-Down to reduce speeding on Hillcrest and Stonecroft

Upgrades to Woodlawn Park

Initiated the Urban Youth Art Exhibit

Organized the District Seven Leadership Development Conference
-- Developed a strategic plan for District Seven
-- Incorporated issues and concerns from across the district
-- Created a collective vision

Hosted Town Hall meeting to discuss Code Compliance and Municipal Court

Cosponsored and organized Town Hall meeting on Toll Roads

Developing long range drainage plan for District 7

Partner in Homeownership Fair

Meets monthly with Neighborhood Associations

Hosts monthly Neighborhood Presidents’ Meeting

Participated on Garbage Truck Ride-Along

Coordinated Alley Clean Ups

Working with TXDOT to facilitate changes to the intersection of Bandera and Eckhert Rd to alleviate congestion

Organized the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce District 7 Bus Tour

Worked with Traffic Engineering Department reconfigured Babcock (at Overbrook) making it safer for pedestrians and motorists

SUPPORTED

Sponsored Health Fair

Sponsored District Seven Senior Dances

Coordinated and Sponsored school field trips to Magik Theater & San Antonio Children’s Museum

Sponsored Earth-Day

Cosponsored Lake-to-Lake Run

Coordinated and sponsored District 7 Graffiti Clean-Up

Contributed to the Edgewood Family Network Summer Camp

Participated in Woodlawn Lake Clean-Up

Funded Individual Development Accounts promoting education, homeownership and savings for District 7 residents

Participated with Meals-on Wheels campaign

Sponsored three spay/neuter days with the Animal Resource Center

Sponsored "Space Teams" - a summer program for student interested in science and robotics