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Remembering Jennifer Gale

Jennifer Gale resting under a tree in Austin TX
Photo courtesy flickr.com/Patrick Dentler
Jennifer Gale was ever-present at Austin city council meetings

The Austin city council opened today's council meeting with a tribute to Jennifer Gale.  Gale was ever-present at council meetings and ran for Mayor and several other elected positions over the years.  She was also homeless.  Gale was found dead two years ago tomorrow in front of a church near the UT-Austin campus.

Gale often sang songs to the council.  Today's meeting opened with video of Gale singing Silent Night.  Austin mayor pro tem Mike Martinez told the audience the video was not only to honor her but to remind all of Austin about the plight of those who do not have a place to stay in central Texas as winter weather sets in.  Martinez also announced the city is going to permanently affix a name placard in her memory on a front row seat at City Hall Council Chamber.

You can watch the tribute to Gale here.  The tribute starts about 1 minute into the video.

Ben Philpott is the Managing Editor for KUT. Got a tip? Email him at bphilpott@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @BenPhilpottKUT.