Balch, Glenna

Glenna Balch is a South Austin resident active in addressing quality of life concerns in Austin, Texas. She served as the Zilker Neighborhood Association representative to the Austin Neighborhood Council, the campaign treasurer in Save Austin's Neighborhoods and Environment (SANE)- A People's PAC, secretary and chair of United South Austin, and as a member of the executive committee of the Zilker Neighborhood Association.

Austin Neighborhoods Council (ANC) was organized in 1973 to be the city wide umbrella organization to support neighborhood interests. Austin has a wide variety of neighborhood and other organizations committed to preserving the quality of life in their particular area. The ANC's motto is "Strength Through Unity" and reflects the successful collaboration that has been fostered between a wide range of separate associations. For 35 years the ANC has participated at all levels of government, and many ANC officers have gone on to serve at the City Council and on numerous Boards and Commission helping to shape public policy as it effects our neighborhoods.

Save Austin's Neighborhoods and Environment - the People's PAC (SANE) was founded in June of 1984 by a group of Austin, Texas citizens who had been active with neighborhood, energy, environmental, housing, civil rights and union issues. The group Save Austin Neighborhoods and Environment merged with the People's PAC in late 1984 and adopted the name Save Austin's Neighborhood and Environment - the People's PAC. The citizen's lobby was formed because individually most voters can't make the large contributions to political campaigns that other well-financed special interest groups make or get the attention of elected officials. As an organized group of voters SANE felt they could influence on candidates and be listened to by elected officials. SANE was concerned with issues such as protection of air and water quality, sensible growth, property tax reform, protecting and extending affordable housing, cancellation of STNP, neighborhood integrity, single member districts, and the enforcement of civil rights ordinances. SANE also hosted candidate forums for the membership to examine the candidates firsthand and published a voter's guide.

United South Austin (USA) was an umbrella group organized in 1982 whose membership was open to neighborhood and business associations, civic clubs and other community groups based in the area south of the Colorado River and which work on matters of community, business and neighborhood concern. USA had its roots in the South First Street Coordinating committee and was made up of representatives from local groups including the South First Corridor Business Association, the Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association, the South Austin Advisory Board of the Multipurpose Center, the South Austin Neighborhood Council and the Becker Community ACORN group. The organization formed because it was felt that "South Austin has historically been ignored at City Hall" and they were "tired of the overloaded and broken down sewage treatment plants, absence of parkland, incompatible development, undesirable land uses and South Austin's 'step-child' status to Austin." James Pinedo, the organizer, wanted to work on problems that went beyond the boundaries of individual neighborhoods. The group grew to include such organizations as Cooper Lane Neighborhood Association, Dawson Area Neighborhood Association, Manchaca Estates Neighborhood Association, Nuckols Crossing Neighborhood Association, South River City Citizens, Southwest Austin Neighborhood Association, Travis Heights Improvement Association, Zilker Neighborhood Association, Montopolis Neighborhood Association, among others.

The Zilker Neighborhood Association (ZNA) was established in 1981 with the mission of protecting the character of the neighborhood and enhancing the quality of life for all of the residents. The ZNA is a volunteer organization that works to ensure appropriate code enforcement, resolve traffic safety issues, maintain our historic and cultural resources, protect our environment and ensure that the neighborhood's interests are heard at City Hall.

From the guide to the Glenna Balch Papers AR. 2007. 001., 1944-1995, 1981-1987, (Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, )