Amy Smith retiring from Pool’s office

Amy Smith, who has served as District 7 Council Member Leslie Pool’s chief of staff for the past five years, will be retiring from the city in early January. Smith worked as a reporter for The Austin Chronicle for 18 years prior to leaving that job in 2014. After that, she worked in Pool’s campaign and came to City Hall at the same time as Pool. Smith told the Austin Monitor Tuesday that she will take a break when she retires, but she plans to continue her political involvement, including volunteering with Pool’s reelection effort. She said, “I’m proud to work for someone who consistently stands up for her constituents,” noting that she and Pool have been friends since 1997. Louisa Brinsmade, who has worked in the District 7 office since October 2015, will become Pool’s new chief of staff upon Smith’s departure. Smith will hold her retirement party at 4:30 on Thursday at Taverna.