By Thomas Warren III, Editor-in-Chief

Look around you and you will see that we are officially in the Christmas season. This year’s festivities look a little different than previous years thanks to the ongoing pandemic, but it is Christmas nonetheless. Just look at Mayor Ginger Nelson’s Facebook page to find her recent post featuring a Christmas-themed sign promoting her new mask ordinance, which carries a $2,000 fine for failure to obey.

How festive, right?

But, with Nelson’s Santa Claus themed mask mandate sign comes another treat from the big man at the North Pole. It’s that time of year when we start talking about Santa Claus’ naughty or nice list!

The long-fabled list is among the hallmarks of Christmas lore, but with the happenings of the past year, it got me wondering if a naughty or nice list exists for elected officials. If such a list exists, I think I know where the Amarillo City Council will land this year. But, if Mr. Claus still needs a refresher on the naughtiness of Mayor Ginger Nelson and the City Council this year, allow me to provide a rundown of some of the highlights:

Raising taxes during a pandemic after promising to oppose tax increases during campaigns for office? Naughty.

Attempting to extend your own terms after claiming a year prior that you did not call for such a change? Naughty.

Issuing over $7 million in debt without taxpayer approval to build a water park as the economy was shutting down thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic? Naughty.

Decrying the defeat of Proposition A as being a result of “incorrect facts” and negativity, without owning up to the trust issues at City Hall and the impact of a 39% tax increase? Naughty.

Issuing debt to finalize warehouse purchases to establish a new city hall following the overwhelming defeat of Proposition A? Naughty.

It’s clear that 2020 has been among the naughtiest of years at City Hall. No amount of talk about loving Amarillo will change that. However, while the Amarillo City Council will hopefully be receiving coal in their stockings this year, Amarillo voters will soon have the opportunity to leave the most important present under the City Council’s Christmas tree — their walking papers.

See, beginning on January 12, 2021, candidates can begin filing for seats on the Amarillo City Council. Amarillo needs a positive change, but we can only deliver such a change with the right candidates.

I’m calling on anyone who is concerned about the direction of our great city to step up and run for office. If you have ideas for improving our city and are ready to discuss the issues on which the Amarillo City Council has kicked the can down the road, such as single-member districts and moving election dates, then you should consider stepping up to run for office.

Let’s let Santa Claus take care of the coal in Ginger Nelson’s stocking. We, the citizens, can show her the door.

Step up to run for office and let’s make the changes Amarillo needs at City Hall. Believe me, strong candidates and engaged voters are the two gifts the Amarillo City Council really doesn’t want to see under their tree this Christmas.