W.A.N.G. Newsletter

By Holly Reed

Past President

A Tribute from the West Austin Neighborhood Group

The West Austin Neighborhood Group (W.A.N.G.) mourns the passing of Frank Cooksey, a former mayor and longtime Tarrytown resident whose life was marked by service, integrity, and a deep love for Austin.

Frank was not only a public figure, but also a neighbor. In Tarrytown—one of the historic neighborhoods that make up W.A.N.G.—he lived among the community he cared so deeply about. Those who knew him best remember a man who listened first, spoke thoughtfully, and believed that good governance begins at the neighborhood level. Whether walking local streets, attending civic meetings, or engaging in thoughtful conversation, Frank carried himself with humility and purpose.

As mayor, Frank brought a steady hand and a principled approach to leadership. He valued collaboration, respected differing viewpoints, and worked to balance growth with preservation—values that continue to resonate strongly in West Austin today. His public service reflected a belief that cities thrive when residents are engaged, informed, and treated with respect.

Beyond City Hall, Frank’s legacy lives on in the way he showed up for his community: as a neighbor who cared about quality of life, a steward of Austin’s character, and a citizen who understood that lasting progress is built on trust and participation. His commitment to civic life set an example for generations of Austinites who followed.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Frank Cooksey’s family and loved ones. West Austin is better for his having called Tarrytown home, and our city is stronger because of his service. He will be remembered with gratitude, respect, and affection by the W.A.N.G. community he helped shape.

Frank Cloud Cooksey (June 3, 1933 – December 15, 2025) was an American lawyer and Democratic politician who was the mayor of Austin, Texas, from 1985 to 1988.

After attending the University of Texas, where he was student body president, Cooksey worked as an attorney in the Civil Rights division of the U.S. Attorney's office, the Texas Attorney General's office (under John Hill) and in private practice. He served as mayor of Austin, Texas from 1985 to 1988.[2] He was also an environmental activist, and was known for his progressive stance during his term as mayor.[3][4][5]

Cooksey died on 15 December 2025 at the age of 92 from complications of a fall in which he sustained a head injury.

THANK YOU! for sharing the Holiday spirit in the Neighborhood

by Blake Tollett

Secretary

3 December 2025

The Board of Directors (BoD) of WANG came together for our monthly neighborhood association meeting on Wednesday 3 December 2025. BoD members in attendance were:

Craig Lill,

David Bolduc,

Heidi Gibbons,

Darcy Gardiner,

Kris von Rosen,

Joyce Basciano and

Blake Tollett. (Blake led the meeting)

No minutes from the Annual Meeting were presented.

Under Neighbor Communications:

· The John Lohr family at 2205 Quarry Road is looking to rebuild a free-standing single story two car garage that was destroyed a couple of years back in a fire. This rebuild will require a variance from the Land Development Code (LDC) due to its proposed placement on the lot. From their email to the WANG BoD:

In late 2022 we had a fire limited to the garage structure only, that caused enough damage that was not repairable. We demolished the garage and then had to remove the foundation due to the inability for engineers to verify the condition of the sub surface foundation integrity.

We are requesting consideration to replace the garage in its original location. The structure would be the same dimensions, square footage, shape, height, size and basic design as the original. We are not adding any plumbing or any bedroom space. The improvements will be limited to the framed structure and electrical to service the building.

A representative from the Mark Hart Architecture firm, Sammi Riddell, came to talk with us about this to be filed variance. After discussion, the sentiment on the WANG BoD was to not oppose what we understand at this time the variance being requested. It was noted that the LDC has a provision that would have allowed the rebuild without a variance request if the rebuild had been done within a year from the fire.

· Craig related to us that the Rawson Saunders School apparently has purchased a new site for the school and they should be moving out of the neighborhood in the next year or so.

· Conner Greissing came to talk with us about help in getting a four-way stop at the intersection of Pecos and Bowman. He submitted the request last year and has resubmitted it again this year. Although there is another four-way stop one block south of this intersection at Pecos and Windsor, with the ongoing increase in traffic on Pecos due to congestion on Mo-Pac along with construction and pedestrian traffic, Pecos is a dangerous road. We lost a good neighbor, Allison Baker, a couple of blocks away from this intersection on Hillview a little while back. We told Conner to keep us in the loop and to continue to reach out to his neighbors for their input.

Under Land Matters, Darcy gave us a brief update on the Girls School of Austin (GSA) expansion plans. The GSA has purchased the large residential lot just to their south along McCall and would like to increase their current enrollment cap from 150 to 200 students, increase commensurate staff, and add a library. The Conditional Use Permit (CUP) the school is currently operating under will need to be redone with public hearings before the Planning Commission and the City Council. Over the years, traffic associated with the school’s operation has become a problem for neighbors and they are asking that this issue and some other concerns be addressed prior to the hearings. The GSA has retained the Ron Thrower Group to represent them and a representative should be coming to meet with the WANG BoD early next year.

The Annual Meeting on November 9th was a success; a nice large crowd, good food with help from our friends at HEB Lake Austin Boulevard, and some words from our City Council member Marc Duchen.

Heidi reported that the Austin Neighborhood Council has a new president, Jeffrey Bowen. She also reported that the 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force Working Groups have been meeting with their recommendations go to City Council early next year.

Our January 2026 meeting will be held at Howson on Wednesday the 7th. We then adjourned.

THANK YOU! for sharing the Joy of the Season in the Neighborhood

Marc Duchen

Council Member

Questions? Send us a note at district10@austintexas.gov or call us at 512-978-2110.

I hope to see you there!

THANK YOU! for adding Cheer throughout the Neighborhood

WE NOW ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS THROUGH OUR SQUARE ACCOUNT

by Wizzie Brown, BCE

Organized 1973......"To preserve our neighborhood and protect it from deterioration"

• President (Interim): Cathy Kyle President@westaustinng.com
  
• Secretary: Cathy Kyle Secretary@westaustinng.com
• Assistant Secretary: Blake Tollett AsstSecretary@westaustinng.com
• Treasurer: George Edwards Treasurer@westaustinng.com
• Past President: Holly Reed PastPresident@westaustinng.com

All Current Members (click on name to send email)

• • Cathy Kyle.............................member since 2010 (Interim President / Secretary)
  • Holly Reed ............................member since 2015 (Newsletter)
  • Blake Tollett .........................member since 1994 (Zoning Chair)
  • George Edwards ..................member since 2004 (Treasurer)
  • Mary Arnold .........................member since 2006 (Muny Tract)
  • Open Board Seat
  • Craig Lill ...............................member since 2017 (Transportation Chair)
  • Joyce Basciano ...................member since 1999
  • Open Board Seat
  • Heidi Gibbons.......................member since 2020 (Austin Neighborhood Council)
  • David Bolduc ........................member since 2023
  • Kris von Rosenberg..............member since 2025
  • Darcy Gardiner......................member since 2025
  • Open Board Seat

Honorary Committee Members

• Honorary Mayor Kirk Watson
• Honorary Marc Duchen

At-Large Members

• Haider Khazen (Website / I.T.)
• Joseph Bennett (E-Newsletter)

L to R: George, Heidi, Mary, Cathy, Darcy, David, Kris, Holly

Photos by J.Bennett

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD