Cedar Park Place 4 Race Getting Heated

CEDAR PARK, TX -- You think national politics are cutthroat? You haven't been to Cedar Park.

The race for Place 4 on the city council dais is getting personal, with candidate Kaden Norton sending out a flier showing his challenger, Cobby Caputo, wearing a digitally produced crown on his head with with the caption: "King Cobby! Crony Capitalist! City Insider."

It's not clear how Norton reconciles the authoritarian tactics of a monarchy with the free market movements of a capitalist society, but no matter. The feud between the two attorneys is heating up, reports the Austin American-Statesman.

Here's what happened: Norton, 31, sent out the flier in what appears to be an attempt at populist appeal. To buttress that sentiment, the flier notes that during Caputo's last stints on council (1996-2002 and from 2005-2010), he wasted taxpayer money by helping engineer a "massive" severance package for an outgoing city attorney, the Statesman reported.

Pow!

Then, Norton -- not Ken Norton, but Kaden -- delivers the uppercut aimed to resonate on the collective chin of the electorate: Caputo raised the property tax rate, hiked the municipal budget and increased the number of city employees after being elected the second time.

Boom!

Norton didn't end it there, delivering a final body blow: Since leaving council, Caputo has worked in a law firm that has been paid in excess of $100,000 by the city.

Down goes Caputo? The candidate seemed rather underwhelmed by the attacks, and more baffled as to their intensity in a local race for council.

"I don't know where the anger is coming from," he told the Statesman, "and why it has to be so comical and mocking.

Explaining himself, Norton justified his use of the flier in an effort to educate voters about Caputo's record, particularly as it relates to taxpayer money.

Caputo countered he was elected to council back in '05 after he helped fire former City Attorney Leonard Smith. What's more, he helped whittle down Smith's $600,000 severance package to a mere $290,000.

As for the city payments to his employer (the law firm of Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta), Caputo acknowledged payment for having helped the city win a couple of lawsuits, settling a trio of land disputes and other services, he told the Statesman.

The property tax rate hike for which he voted helped pay for a fire station and more cops on the beat, he noted. This might help explain the endorsement he recently secured endorsements from both the Cedar Park Professional Fire Fighters Association and the Cedar Park Police Association, votes of support Caputo prominently touts on his Facebook page.

Both men are vying for the contested seat being vacated by Lowell Moore, who is stepping down to run for a seat on the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Board. For the record, Moore has formally endorsed Caputo as his replacement on council.

While many are focusing on Super Tuesday and the likelihood result of presumptive nominees for president, Cedar Park residents have their own election drama unfolding in their own backyard.

The early voting period ahead of the May 7 general election started April 25 and runs until May 3. For a list of polling places and their hours of operation, click here.

Texas voters must show a form of identification, such as a driver’s license, passport or U.S. military ID in order to vote. For exemptions, visit the Texas Department of Public Safety website by clicking here.

Voters in Williamson County should consult their websitefor further information, and voters in Hays County can also find more details online.

>>> Photos of Caputo and Norton via Facebook