By Thomas Warren III, Editor-in-Chief

Let me ask a hypothetical question: what would have happened if in 2016, after the defeat of five municipal bond propositions for municipal projects put forward by the Paul Harpole-Randy Burkett City Council, the City Council would have voted to do the projects anyway?

I would imagine there would be plenty of angry editorials in the Amarillo Globe-News, pundits like Jon Mark Beilue screaming about the world ending, and half-rate television reporters working on their best stories to expose corruption at the City.

Now, let me ask you this: what would happen if the Ginger Nelson-led City Council voted to do the projects defeated in November’s Proposition A election, even though voters declined to back the package?

Apparently nothing.

Even after the City Council — with the exception of pro-taxpayer Councilman Cole Stanley — voted to move forward with a $35 million project for a new city hall, despite voters turning down Proposition A last year, there is little opposition generally and absolutely no opposition from our city’s political and media establishment.

There are no angry editorials in the AGN. There are no pundits screaming about disgraceful local government. There are no TV reporters taking them to task.

The only thing that has come from this action is a petition and lawsuit brought forward by businessman Craig Gualtiere to maybe give voters a say on the project.

Let me just say that I hope Gualtiere is successful in his efforts, as voters absolutely should have a say on the project, even though I thought we had our say in November. Regardless, voters should have the opportunity to decide whether they want to fund such a massive project, instead of being forced into the project on a whim by Ginger Nelson and her Amarillo Matters crew.

I just keep thinking about this project and the Ginger Nelson-led Council’s total disregard for the will of the citizens. And as I keep thinking about it, I keep considering more and more how this Mayor and her comrades have been held to a totally different standard than past elected bodies.

With the media and political establishment in Amarillo, Ginger Nelson will always get a free pass. She got one when she raised your taxes during a pandemic, she got one when she had someone arrested for clapping, she got one when she lied about her policy positions, and she will almost certainly get one now, as she adds another $35 million in debt on the backs of you, the taxpayers, and your children, the future taxpayers of Amarillo.

It’s shameful, but at this point, it’s just par for the course. Don’t expect accountability when none has ever been demanded before.