By Thomas Warren III, Editor-in-Chief

Since the Amarillo City Council is kindly planning on ordering a massive tax rate ratification election for November, might I suggest a few other items that should go on the ballot? How about voters have the opportunity to vote on recalling Mayor Ginger Nelson and Councilmembers Freda Powell, Eddy Sauer, and Howard Smith.

Of course, we all know a recall election, or even a successful petition for such an election, could never happen in Amarillo due to petitioning restrictions and signature thresholds making such elections virtually impossible. I thoroughly believe, however, that citizens would be justified in asking for such elections. With the Amarillo City Council now giving their most daring show of fiscal irresponsibility yet, attempting to pass a 24 percent tax increase, despite voters turning down a 49 percent increase last year, this seems like it would be the prime moment to ask whether a recall should happen. Additionally, this tax increase comes on the heels of close re-election fights for all four incumbents in which none of the officeholders would have ever told the public that they wanted such a large tax increase.

And, beyond the tax issue itself, none of the incumbents were elected by margins that were all that impressive, even against poor opposition in some races.

Recalls are very unlikely in Amarillo and likely will never happen until a future City Council shows a commitment to reducing petitioning requirements, which is also unlikely. Still, I would like to know how many voters who voted for the incumbents under the belief that they would be fiscally responsible are in support of a 24 percent tax increase.

While we can’t recall the City Council, we can do the next best thing and reject their tax increase this November. Vote against the Amarillo Matters tax increase on November 2.