Sharyn Delgado
Challenger for Amarillo City Council, Place 4
Delgado/Photo by Campaign
Question: What is your age?
Answer: 54
Q: How long have you lived in Amarillo?
A: 54
Q: What is your educational background?
A: I hold a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education and a Master’s in School Counseling & Licensed Professional Counselor from West Texas A&M University.
Q: What is your occupation?
A: educator-Behavior Intervention Counselor (25 years) & private practice counselor
Q: If you are a business owner, please list the business or businesses that you own.
A: Besides my private practice, my husband and I own an office building that leases out to other counselors.
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: I serve on the Board for Leadership Amarillo & Canyon (8 years), One Ministry (2 years), and my church board at St. Martin de Porres Catholic church (10 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: Website: www.sharyndelgado.com Facebook: Sharyn Delgado, Candidate for City Commissioner Place 4
Q: Why did you decide to run for this office in 2021?
A: In December, I felt like God was saying NOW is the time to run. I have never been in politics but love my city. I have felt frustrated that the same topics seem to be our leaders' main focus such as downtown revitalizing and the Civic Center. I think Amarillo is more than just downtown. We need to focus on growth and development in all areas of Amarillo.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?
A: My top three priorities if elected would be mental health, economic growth in ALL areas, and investing in our youth in Amarillo by providing parks that are equitable in each community and considering the possibility of new sporting complexes.
The impact of major mental health issues and addiction in Amarillo needs to be addressed. Yes, there are many agencies here in Amarillo but there are gaps in services where people fall through the cracks. Issues regarding mental health and addiction impact a variety of agencies in Amarillo: our education system, housing, law enforcement, homelessness, child protective services, our medical and mental health facilities and the overall healthiness of our community.
It cost us money, resources, and time. The most cost-effective approach is to try prevention and early intervention with both addiction and mental health issues. These two topics (mental health and addiction) are intertwined with our homeless population.
I have heard from many Amarillo citizens that everyone wants growth and development in their neighborhood. They want Amarillo Leaders to care about the development in their neighborhood just as much as downtown.
Great drug and violence prevention is providing the youth of Amarillo with activities to keep them busy. Each neighborhood should have parks that are safe and have activities for their children. Plans for parks should not be last-minute thoughts before election years. I have heard several times why do “we” have to travel to Dallas, Lubbock or Denver for tournaments for our children to play sports. I truly believe that these sports complexes would pay for themselves and bring in extra revenue by hosting tournaments.
Q: What is your opinion on taxpayer-funded lobbying? Please explain.
A: My initial thought about paid lobbyist for Amarillo is no. I think we have great state representatives that have a heart and passion for Amarillo. However, my educator’s mind always reminds me not to have a knee-jerk reaction or take a stand against something until I see the data or results. I think it is fair for citizens to ask about the results of tax payer’s dollars being sent on lobbying. Has been effective? If so, how can we measure if the cost has been worth it? How has it helped Amarillo? What does our state representatives think about us paying lobbyist?
Q: Do you support moving municipal elections to November of even-numbered years? Please explain.
A: I do not have enough information on the topic to have an opinion.
Q: Do you support single-member districts for City Council representation? Please explain.
A: I think the question is always how do we make sure each area of town is represented fairly. I think single-member district might create more diversity. Amarillo Leaders have created community advisory groups but we need to make sure their voices are being heard and action follows their suggestions
Q: In what cases would you support efforts to raise property taxes? Please explain.
A: I think the politician's answer would be to say I do not support an increase in taxes. I want Amarillo to have low taxes and all of us to be able to afford our property taxes but I also want us to invest in our community. I think we need to be frugal with our tax dollars.
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 voted against Proposition A. If we have a steady yearly growth in population, I think we would plan for our future and the size we can grow into. I think the cost was too high for the capacity it would hold. I do believe we need a new Civic Center. However in 2021 when so many of our neighbors are struggling, our food banks are struggling to have food, there is a shortage of affordable housing and businesses are struggling to stay open, my question is this the year we need to focus on it? Yes, down the road but maybe not this year. NOW if Proposition A had passed, being a true person that loves Amarillo I would support it. Just like the Sod Poddles, I didn’t vote for an outdoor event center but when it passed my family fully supports it.
Q: What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?
A: I think mental health, addiction and homelessness have been overlooked. I think some great things are happening in Amarillo. The Continuum of Services meetings held by the Amarillo Community Development Office is helping to bring agencies together in working with our homeless. We still need to find ways to bridge the gaps between these agencies and services. Affordable housing is a must to help with our homeless situation. I think Panhandle Behavioral Alliance is doing AMAZING things for our community. We as a community have to attract and keep not only mental professionals, agencies but also other leaders to the Amarillo area.
Q: Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?
A: Not only do I love Amarillo but I love people. And maybe neither of these two things make me qualified to be your city commissioner but I do believe my mental health background and communication skills are assets that would benefit our city. I think the 25 years working in education serving students with special needs in our neighborhoods and with families gives me some insight into the needs of our community. Good communication, conversations with our neighbors, finding our common ground to make our city better is what I think we need. For all of us, to come together for a greater good. Regardless if I am elected or not, I plan to invest in my community to make it better. Why because I love it.