Peggy Carter Thomas
Challenger for Amarillo College Board of Regents
Thomas/Photo by Campaign
Question: What is your age?
Answer: 58
Q: What is your educational background?
A: 1980 Honors Graduate of Canadian High School, Rank #3
1980 - 1982 Gulf-Coast Bible College
1998 - 2001 Amarillo College AAS Occupational Therapy Assistant
2006 Trinity School of Natural Medicine, Certified Natural Health Professional
Numerous Continuing Education Credits (30 hours every two years to maintain licensure as Occupational Therapy Assistant
2019 Klose Training - Certification - Certified Lymphedema Therapist
Q: What is your occupation?
A: Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant, Certified Lymphedema Therapist
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: Trump 2020 Campaign Volunteer under Vance Sander II,
At Trinity fellowship Church:
* Life Group Leader for Singles x 12 years
* Facilitator for Whole Again Divorce Recovery Workshops x 7 years
* Victim Impact Speaker for Bridges to Life Prison Ministry x 4 years
* Served as Facilitator for Bridges to Life Prison Ministry x 3 years
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: Peggy Carter Thomas for Amarillo College Board Of Regents
Q: Why did you decide to run for this office in 2021?
A: I am running for Amarillo College Board of Regents for my grandchildren, my community, and in obedience to what I know God has purposed for me. This past fall, I volunteered for the first time in a political campaign, both for President Trump and for Ronny Jackson, and was later asked to join the team in the run-off campaign in Georgia for over 30 days. The experiences quickened something within me. If I learned anything in this past election season, it's that local elections matter. I feel a responsibility to serve in this capacity.
Our community is known for conservative values in the areas of politics, spending, morals, and work ethic. I will advocate for those values at Amarillo College. Parents need to know that their children who attend Amarillo College will receive the best in education at an affordable price with values that reflect those of our community. Adults returning for education have unique needs that I will be sensitive to. (I was one of those adults myself.) I will work with other board members to serve the community and the college from a conservative perspective.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?
A: I want to see Amarillo prosper and make sure Amarillo College is being effective and efficient in extending the greatest opportunities to industries and corporations, to supply excellence in the workforce in Amarillo and the surrounding communities. To do this the following will be my top priorities:
* I commit to finding innovative ways to save taxpayer's dollars.
* I commit to keeping education affordable and a degree or certificate more attainable for anyone who wants to attend Amarillo College, thereby improving the percentages of completion in AC programs and degrees.
* I commit to seeking out fresh ideas and "outside the box" thinking to assure we retain the highest level of education professionals at our college.
Q: In what cases would you support efforts to raise property taxes? Please explain.
A: Taxpayers are already paying more than "their fair share." Prioritized budgeting rather than increased taxation is important to taxpayers. By putting effort into trimming excesses and targeting spending to benefit our students and professors, I commit to avoid tax increases.
In the average home, if the budget doesn't allow for something, choices must be made between discretionary and non-discretionary spending. ("wants" vs. "needs.") We should hold this same standard as elected officials, making decisions with taxpayers' dollars in mind. Sometime this requires reevaluating priorities and eliminating or delaying projects. This is a difficult but sometimes necessary task. However, if we firmly commit to this, I do not believe raising property taxes will be necessary.
Q: What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?
A: Amarillo College is one of the best junior colleges in the country, and I am proud to be one of its graduates. I continue to gather information, ask questions and learn from the people I will be serving. One thing I feel that has been overlooked in this race, as it gets started, is the burden on the taxpayer. Secondly, we can and should work to retain top-rated educational professionals.
With a joint focus on making Amarillo College effective in its mission and efficient with its budget, we can do it!
Q: Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?
A: I am not a politician looking for a place to run. I am a citizen looking for a place to serve.
As a newcomer to the political arena, I will bring fresh ideas blended with conservative Christian values to the Amarillo College Board of Regents. I have adequate time to serve in this capacity, and I bring no hidden agendas.
I've had to overcome adversity on my way to achieving success in my life. I have developed perspectives that will benefit the community, the students and the institution of Amarillo College.