FROM LEFT: Tipps, Stanley, Scherlen/Photos by campaigns
The City of Amarillo has published the agenda for next Tuesday’s special meeting of Amarillo City Council, during which Mayor-elect Cole Stanley, Councilman-elect Don Tipps, and Councilman-elect Tom Scherlen will be sworn-in.
The meeting will open with an invocation by Bob Schroeder of Hillside Christian Church, followed by the pledge of allegiance. The public will then have one final opportunity to address the current council before the results of the May 6th election are officially canvassed. Runoff elections will officially be called for Place 1 and Place 4. (More information about the runoff elections can be found at the end of this article.)
Mayor Ginger Nelson, Councilwoman Freda Powell, and Councilman Eddy Sauer will then be given an opportunity to give remarks before Stanley, Tipps, and Scherlen are sworn in. These newly elected members will then have an opportunity to give remarks.
(As we have previously reported, City Council Place 1 will remain vacant pending the runoff election between Josh Craft and Dean Crump, as incumbent Cole Stanley will be leaving that office upon becoming Mayor. Incumbent Howard Smith will remain in Place 4 pending the runoff between Les Simpson and Claudette Smith.)
The meeting will close with a benediction from former Mayor of Amarillo Trent Sisemore. Sisemore had attempted to speak during the April 25th meeting during Mayor Nelson’s attempt to state allegations against Stanley related to campaign finance. Nelson did not allow Sisemore to speak at that meeting, adding fuel to the controversy, with many calling Nelson’s actions a political hit job.
Members of the public will be able to sign up to speak at the meeting from Sunday at 8:00 am to Tuesday at 12:45 pm at this link. The city’s page with information about the meeting, including the full agenda and agenda packet, can be found here. The meeting is scheduled for 1:00 pm and will be held in the Council Chamber on the 3rd Floor of City Hall.
The new council will have their first regular meeting on Tuesday, May 23rd at 1:00 pm, following an orientation workshop scheduled for 8:00 am.
Runoff Information
The runoff election for Place 1 and Place 4 on Amarillo City Council will be held on Saturday, June 24th. According to a draft ordinance, early voting will be from June 12th through 16th, with an additional opportunity for early voting on June 20th.
For voters in Potter County, early voting will be available at the Santa Fe Building, Casey Carpet One, the Northwest Branch Public Library, and Cornerstone Outreach. These locations will be open for voting from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from June 12th to June 16th and 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on June 20th. These locations will all also be available on Election Day, in addition to Kids, Inc., Pride Home Center on NE 24th, and the Tri-State Fairgrounds. Polling places will be open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Election Day.
For voters in Randall County, only the Randall County Annex and Comanche Trail Church of Christ will be open for early voting. Both locations will be open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on all early voting dates. These locations will also both be Election Day locations, in addition to Southwest Church of Christ, the Southwest Branch Library, the Texas Panhandle War Memorial Center, Arden Raod Baptist, and Central Baptist Church. Polling places will be open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Election Day.