Carl Karas
Challenger for Amarillo Mayor
Karas/Photo by Campaign
Question: What is your age?
Answer: 63
Q: How long have you lived in Amarillo?
A: 4 years
Q: What is your educational background?
A: Registered Architect State of New York; Masters in Architecture UT Austin; Bachelor of Environmental Studies U of M Winnipeg MB Canada; Certified Lead (Pb) Inspector TX; Advanced Weatherization Certification TX
Q: What is your occupation?
A: Currently retired
Q: If you are a business owner, please list the business or businesses that you own.
A: N/A
Q: Please list any civic boards or commissions (non-profit, government, union, political, etc.) on which you have served as a board member or equivalent.
A: American Institute of Architecture competition judge NYAIA '99; City of Abilene TX public sculpture selection committee '01
Q: If your campaign has any online campaign resources where voters can learn more about you, such as social media accounts or a website, please list them below.
A: Instagram is best
Q: Why did you decide to run for this office in 2021?
A: I want to retire here but am not satisfied with the direction the city government is taking. I believe I have the vision and leadership necessary to make a change in course possible
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?
A: I'd like to see a comprehensive city plan for growth, not just for the downtown.
I'd like to see a complete moratorium on sprawl growth to the Southwest. Recent development is now too far from the city center to be sustainable for a city of this size. The extension of services is not fair to taxpayers closer in. Other parts of the city meanwhile are crumbling.
Lastly I'd like to see barriers of systemic rascism removed. Railway tracks which have defined and locked in place segregated neighborhoods to the East and North must be relocated, whether it takes 10, 20 or even 50 years.
Q: What is your opinion on taxpayer-funded lobbying? Please explain.
A: I'm against it
Q: Do you support moving municipal elections to November of even-numbered years? Please explain.
A: No, the Spring allows us to focus better.
Q: Do you support single-member districts for City Council representation? Please explain.
A: Yes, 6 districts
Q: In what cases would you support efforts to raise property taxes? Please explain.
A: Not very many as they are already high
Q: In the 2020 general election, did you support or oppose Proposition A ($275 million Amarillo Civic Center and downtown projects bond)? Please explain.
A: I opposed Prop A. It was not a good design as the building was shoe-horned onto an unwelcoming site. The budget was too high.
I'd like to see the present building reused and repurposed for the expanded arena and the present city hall reused and expanded.
Another possibility is to place a large convention center with ample parking on the current rail yard to be accessed at 10th Ave. shifting the rail yard to the East of Grand Ave. Admittedly a more expensive solution but anticipating more city growth.
I'd also like to see a national or even international architectural competition for the project with local and national judges invited. It's that important.
Q: What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?
A: We are already receiving climate refugees here and more are on the way. We are in a sweet spot as it relates to climate change, although being at the South end of it we're vulnerable to drought. We will need to welcome them the refugees, not turn them away. Their skills, talents and perspectives will be invaluable for our future in order that we not only survive but flourish. We need to make Amarillo a more attractive and exciting destination, for refugees and for young professionals.
Q: Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?
A: I believe I can provide the vision, leadership and compassion required in a time of radical change. As Robert Kennedy once said, 'I see things that never were and say why not?'
Moving forward, it's not the time to continue on simply seeking 'stability' or a false 'unity'. Those who need to taking responsibility for the threats to our health and our democracy must realize there are consequences. And drastic change is called for if we're to survive global warming. And we will have to work together, better.