Jason N. Tillery
Candidate for Amarillo City Council, Place 1 (Open Seat)
Tillery/Photo by Campaign
Question: What is your age?
Answer: 42
Q: How long have you lived in Amarillo?
A: 1 year and 8 months, previously lived in Amarillo from 2009 to 2012.
Q: What is your educational background?
A: MBA in Business (Emphasis in Management) from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, currently pursuing a Masters of Arts in Executive Leadership from Liberty University.
Q: What is your occupation?
A: Retired Navy
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: Member of the Panhandle Christian Homeschool Education Association, was a Randall County Assistant Deputy Registrar, and member of Hillside Christian Church.
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: Facebook Page: Jason Tillery for Amarillo City Council Place 1
Website: votetillery.com
Email: jtilleryamacitycouncil@gmail.com
Q: Why did you decide to run for this office in 2021?
A: I wanted the opportunity to make a difference for our community and be a voice for our citizens.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?
A: 1.) Bring transparency to local government.
2.) Promote economic growth.
3.) Streamline government processes and cut down on red-tape.
Q: What is your opinion on taxpayer-funded lobbying? Please explain.
A: Taxpayers' should know where their money is going and that their money is being utilized for their best interests and not in contrary to what is in the best interest of the community. If the community agrees to funding a lobbying effort then that is one thing, but the citizens should have a say in where there money is going.
Q: Do you support moving municipal elections to November of even-numbered years? Please explain.
A: Yes I do. I feel that having these elections during odd-numbered years and not during a statewide/national election you miss out on voters. It was reported in the 2020 Congressional runoff-election for District 13 between Ronny Jackson and Josh Winegarner that less than 6% of the electorate voted. We must have city issues and candidates on the ballot when the majority of citizens are voting.
Q: Do you support single-member districts for City Council representation? Please explain.
A: I do support single-member districts as I believe this allows for citizens to be represented to the best of their interests by a person who understands their needs/concerns.
Q: In what cases would you support efforts to raise property taxes? Please explain.
A: I would take a measured approach to raising any taxes, but would generally normally only support a tax increase if it meant total growth for all of the city and benefitted all citizens, with their support that is. If the public didn't support the measure then I would work to find other way to increase revenue.
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 supported it because in the long-run this could provide a great deal of income, both local and tourist, for the city of Amarillo. A modern Civic Center allows for more prominent entertainers, sporting events, conventions, etc. that bolster Amarillo's image in the state of Texas and in the Colorado/Kansas/Oklahoma/New Mexico/Texas panhandle region.
Q: What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?
A: Transparency in government. Citizens should be afforded every possible avenue to address the Mayor and City Council on a regular basis. Citizens should know who is representing them, know their representatives are not "bought and paid for" by special interests, and citizens should know how and where their money is being spent.
Q: Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?
A: I spent 20 years in the Navy working to provide my junior Sailors with an equitable playing field. I worked to make sure they had the tools to succeed and were set on the right path. Even if the cause or issue looked to be a losing fight, if it was worth fighting then I fought hard. I will bring that same passion to bring honestly, common sense, and a fighting desire to make this city better for all Amarilloans. I will be an advocate and a voice for what my citizens want, not my own desires. I believe firmly is Service Before Self!