Latest news with #AmarilloCityCouncil
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Scherlen leads Prescott by 13 votes in early returns for Amarillo Place 3 runoff
Incumbent Tom Scherlen leads challenger David Prescott by just 13 votes in early returns for the Amarillo City Council Place 3 runoff election, according to unofficial results released Saturday evening. Unofficial early voting totals from Potter and Randall counties show Scherlen with 3,289 votes (50.1%) to Prescott's 3,276 (49.9%). The runoff was triggered after neither candidate secured a majority in the May 3 election. In that contest, Scherlen received 7,748 votes (47.4%) to Prescott's 7,433 votes (45.5%), a margin of 315 votes. A third candidate, Nune Perez, earned 1,157 votes (7.1%). Saturday's numbers reflect only early voting totals. As of 7:22 p.m., no Election Day precincts had reported results. Potter County listed zero of 10 polling centers reporting, and Randall County listed zero of nine. A total of 6,565 early votes were cast. Final results, including ballots from Saturday's in-person voting, will be canvassed and certified by the city in the coming days. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo runoff: Scherlen leads Prescott by 13 votes in early tally
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
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Election Day taking place in Amarillo runoff after low early vote turnout
Early voting turnout for Amarillo's lone runoff election has fallen nearly 20% compared to last year, as voters prepare to decide a closely contested race for the Amarillo City Council Place 3 seat this Saturday. A total of 5,922 residents cast in-person ballots during the early voting period from May 27 to June 3, according to election officials in Potter and Randall counties. That's down from 7,351 voters during the 2023 runoff cycle. The June 7 runoff features incumbent Tom Scherlen and challenger David Prescott, who advanced after neither secured a majority in the May 3 general election. Scherlen led by just 315 votes, setting up a highly competitive rematch. Scherlen, a longtime Amarillo resident, worked 38 years at Austin Hose, rising from entry-level to CEO. Appointed to the council in 2023, he is also president of the Amarillo Senior Citizens Association and has prioritized public safety, fiscal responsibility, and infrastructure planning in his campaign. Prescott has lived in Amarillo since 1990 and is the founder of an environmental consulting firm operating in Texas and New Mexico. He holds multiple degrees from West Texas A&M University and currently chairs the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists. Prescott's campaign focuses on transparency, community involvement, and oversight of city spending. Randall County accounted for the bulk of early voting activity with 3,912 ballots cast. The Randall County Annex led all vote centers with 1,870 voters, followed by the Southwest Branch Library with 1,725. Comanche Trail Church saw 306 voters, while RCEA logged only 11. The county's busiest voting day was Friday, May 30, with 728 ballots cast. The lowest turnout occurred Monday, June 2, with 530 voters. Mail-in ballot activity on the first day showed 665 requests and 457 returns. Potter County recorded 2,010 early votes, with Casey Carpet One drawing the largest turnout at 615 voters. Other top locations included the Northwest Branch Library (590 voters) and the Santa Fe Building (559). Lower turnout was seen at Cornerstone Outreach (170) and the Tri-State Fairgrounds Extension Office (76). Potter County's highest turnout also came on May 30, when 394 voters cast ballots. The slowest day was June 2, with just 270. On May 27, the county logged 201 mail ballot requests and 156 returns. Polls will be open Saturday, June 7, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Any registered voter in Randall or Potter County can vote at any designated vote center within their county. Comanche Trail Church of Christ – 2700 E. 34th St. Southwest Church of Christ – 4515 Cornell St. Redeemer Christian Church – 3701 S. Soncy Rd. Southwest Public Library – 6801 SW 45th Ave. Oasis Southwest Baptist Church – 8201 Canyon Dr. Central Baptist Church – 1601 SW 58th Ave. Randall County Annex – 4320 S. Western St. (north side of building) Arden Road Baptist Church – 6701 Arden Rd. Casey Carpet One – 3500 I-40 W Frontage Rd. Eastridge Lanes – 5405 E Amarillo Blvd. Northwest Branch Library – 6100 SW 9th Ave. Santa Fe Building – 900 S. Polk St. Trinity Fellowship – Willow Creek Campus – 503 E. Willow Creek Dr. Cornerstone Outreach – 1111 N. Buchanan St. Kids, Inc. – 2201 SE 27th Ave. Pride Home Center – 3503 NE 24th Ave. Tri-State Fairgrounds Extension Office – 3301 SE 10th Ave. United Citizens Forum – 903 N. Hayden St. Voters must present an accepted form of photo identification and be registered in their respective county to vote. For sample ballots, accepted ID lists, and wait time updates, visit the Potter or Randall County election offices' websites. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo runoff for Place 3 is June 7 as early turnout lags
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Early voting begins in Amarillo City Council Place 3 runoff
Early voting is now underway in the Amarillo City Council Place 3 runoff between incumbent Tom Scherlen and challenger David Prescott — a rematch prompted by a razor-thin margin in the May 3 general election. Scherlen led the three-way race with 7,748 votes (47.4%) but fell short of the required majority. Prescott followed with 7,433 votes (45.5%), while third-place candidate Nune Perez earned 1,157 votes (7.1%). With fewer than 350 votes separating the top two contenders, the runoff is expected to be one of the city's most competitive council races in recent years. Scherlen, a longtime Amarillo resident and former CEO of a local company, is seeking re-election on a platform focused on infrastructure upgrades, increased public safety staffing, and fiscally responsible budgeting. He points to ongoing capital projects and continuity on the council as reasons for voters to retain his leadership. Prescott, a business owner and environmental consultant, moved to Amarillo in 1990 and emphasizes strategic infrastructure investments and long-term financial planning. He holds multiple degrees from West Texas A&M University and chairs the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, with appointments by two governors. Prescott is also active on several nonprofit boards and regional initiatives. Early voting runs through Tuesday, June 3. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday this week and again next Monday and Tuesday. There will be no voting on the weekend of May 31–June 1. Election Day is Saturday, June 7, with polling places open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Potter County early voting locations: Santa Fe Building (main location): First Floor, Ticket Office, 900 S. Polk St. Casey Carpet One: 3500 I-40 West Frontage Rd. Cornerstone Outreach: Fellowship Room, 1111 N. Buchanan St. Northwest Branch Library: Meeting Room, 6100 SW 9th Ave. Tri-State Fairgrounds Extension Office: 3301 SE 10th Ave. Randall County early voting locations: Randall County Election Administration Office (main location): 1604 5th Ave., Canyon Randall County Annex: 4320 S. Western St., Amarillo Southwest Branch Library: 6801 SW 45th Ave., Amarillo Comanche Trail Church of Christ: 2700 E. 34th Ave., Amarillo All locations will be open May 27–30 (Tuesday through Friday) and June 2–3 (Monday and Tuesday) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is Scherlen's first runoff campaign. In the 2023 city election, he won his seat outright while two other council races advanced to runoffs. Josh Craft defeated Dean Crump for Place 1 with 60% of the vote, while Les Simpson beat Claudette Smith for Place 4 with 60.4%. Simpson went on to win re-election this May with 69% of the vote — the widest margin among contested council races. Voters must present an approved form of identification to cast a ballot. For more information on polling sites, sample ballots, or voting eligibility, visit This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Early voting begins in Amarillo City Council Place 3 runoff election
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Election Day is Saturday, May 3. Here's what you need to know to vote
Election Day is Saturday, May 3, when Amarillo voters will decide the winners of Place 1, 3 and 4 of the Amarillo City Council, as well as the next Amarillo mayor. Canyon voters will weigh in on a $14 million public safety bond election, and many Potter and Randall county residents will vote on members of school boards for local districts and members of the Amarillo College Board of Regents. In early voting, 3,757 total ballots were cast in Potter County, with 139 mail ballots received. The total amount jumped up to 7,386 ballots for Randall County, with 513 mail ballots received. Early voting ran from April 22 to April 29. Earlier story: Randall, Potter counties see steep drop in early voting turnout Polls will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. POTTER COUNTY Bushland Fire Station No. 1, truck bays, 17600 Indian Hill Road, Bushland Casey Carpet One, main entrance, 3500 I-40 W. Frontage Road Chaparral Hills Church, sanctuary, 4000 W. Cherry Ave. Cornerstone Outreach, fellowship room, 1111 N. Buchanan St. Eastridge Lanes, right side, 5405 E. Amarillo Blvd. Kids, Inc., Mary E Bivins Room, 2201 SE. 27th Ave. Northwest Amarillo Public Library branch, meeting room, 6100 SW. 9th Ave. Pride Home Center, middle back of store, 3503 NE. 24th Ave. Santa Fe Building, ticket office, 900 S. Polk St. Tri-State Fairgrounds, Commercial Exhibit Hall, 3301 SE. 10th Ave. Trinity Baptist Church, east entrance, 1601 I-40 West Trinity Fellowship - Willow Creek campus, Fellowship Hall, 503 E. Willow Creek Drive. United Citizens Forum, main entrance, 903 N. Hayden St. Valle de Oro Fire Station, truck bay, 23801 FM 1061, Valle de Oro More info: RANDALL COUNTY In Amarillo: Crossroads Country Church, 14425 FM 1541 Oasis Southwest Baptist Church, 8201 Canyon Drive. Comanche Trail Church of Christ, 2700 E. 34th Central Baptist Church, 1601 SW. 58th Randall County Annex, 4320 S. Western Southwest Church of Christ, 4515 Cornell Redeemer Christian Church, 3701 S. Soncy Coulter Road Baptist Church, 4108 S. Coulter Southwest Amarillo Public Library branch, 6801 SW. 45th Ave. Texas Panhandle War Memorial Center, 4111 S. Georgia Journey Church, 9711 FM 2186 Arden Road Baptist, 6701 Arden Road In Canyon: Randall County Justice Center, 2309 Russell Long Blvd., Canyon The Summit, 2008 12th Ave., Canyon More info: To vote in-person, you must present one of these valid forms of photo ID: Texas driver's license (DPS issued) Texas election identification certificate (DPS issued) Texas personal ID card (DPS issued) Texas handgun license (DPS issued) U.S. military photo ID U.S. citizenship certificate with photo U.S. passport (book or card) If your ID expired within the last four years, it is still acceptable for voting. If you are 70 or older, you can use your ID regardless of its expiration date. If you do not have one of these forms of ID, you can still vote with a secondary form of identification (e.g., utility bill, bank statement) and must sign a "Reasonable Impediment Declaration" form explaining why you couldn't obtain a photo ID. If you cannot reasonably obtain one of the acceptable forms of photo ID, you can still vote by presenting a secondary form of ID (e.g., utility bill, bank statement) and completing a "Reasonable Impediment Declaration" form. If you're a person with special needs, a person of your choice or an election worker can assist you at the polls, but that person cannot be your employer, your union officer, or someone who represents your employer or union. If you're physically unable to enter the polling location, you can vote curbside. Contact your county elections office to arrange curbside voting if necessary. Amarillo Mayor Misty Collier Cole Stanley (Incumbent) Luke Johnson Marek Jason Herrick Amarillo City Council Place 1 Tim Reid Patrick Miller Sherie Wood Wendy Flores Place 2 Don Tipps (incumbent, unopposed) Place 3 Tom Scherlen (Incumbent) David Prescott Nune Perez Place 4 Les Simpson (Incumbent) Sylvia Elaine Stephens Leif Kertis Amarillo ISD Doyle Corder Jr. Don Powell Thomas Werner Tom Warren II Michael Garcia David Nance Kayla Mendez Bushland ISD Justin Adams Nicki Junell Regan Hall James Gillenwaters Travis Lawler River Road ISD Michael James Melinda Powell Nikki Forrest Danielle Coleman Liz Ferris Ryan Lawson Amarillo College Board of Regents Paul Proffer David Woodburn Johnny Mize Mary Bralley Jason Foglesong Other elections: Village of Pallisades, Village of Lake Tanglewood, Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District The Canyon City Commission's $14 million public safety bond measure is set for the May 3 election. The Police Department would receive $4.9 million, or 35% of the bond. This includes such projects as renovation of 1401 4th Ave. for $4.5 million and construction of a new animal shelter for $400,000. The Fire Department would receive $8.85 million, or 63% of the bond. The funds would go toward the Fire Station 1 remodel for $4.2 million, new training classroom and bays for $1.7 million, annex addition for physical training space for $750,000, renovation of command staff offices in City Hall for $600,000, a fire engine truck for $1 million and a training burn house for $600,000. City Hall would receive $250,000, or 2% of the bond for renovations to former police station space. As previously reported, City Manager Joe Price estimated that the bond, if approved, would cost the average homeowner $200 to $300 per year, and improvements to the city's Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating could offset some of those costs through reduced insurance premiums. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: What you need to know for May 3 Election Day in Amarillo, Canyon
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Transformation Park security will include cameras, metal detectors, scanners, personnel
In a dynamic session at the new city hall, the Amarillo City Council set the stage Tuesday for a transformative era in community safety, digital governance, and public health. The council unveiled a $250,000 investment in Transformation Park's security upgrades, introduced a sweeping Digital Dignity, Rights and Privacy Ordinance with a clear implementation timeline, and advanced key public health measures — all designed to foster a safer, more transparent, and resilient Amarillo. A cornerstone of the meeting was the approval of the $250,000 resolution for Transformation Park — a community facility slated to provide safe, affordable housing and comprehensive support services. The funding will finance a state-of-the-art security system that includes new surveillance cameras, upgraded internet connectivity, metal detectors, and bag scanners, while also creating two to three security jobs. Transformation Park Executive Director Mark Zimmerman explained that these enhancements were not part of the original project plans, noting, 'It wasn't in the city's construction budget and it wasn't in our budget, so it was an essential add-on to ensure our facility can serve the community safely.' 'We want our residents, volunteers, and staff to feel safe in every way,' Zimmerman said. 'By addressing potential issues proactively, we can help minimize calls that eventually require police intervention. This system isn't just a security upgrade — it's an investment in the safety and future of our community.' The newly installed cameras will monitor the facility's perimeter and extend coverage along a two-block radius. Their positioning is designed with privacy in mind: 'Near the bus station, we have an empty field on one side and a cabinet shop on the other, so the cameras won't be pointing into anyone's backyard,' Zimmerman explained. Footage will be directly tied into the Amarillo Regional Crime Center, ensuring prompt police response when needed. 'Every step we take today lays the foundation for a stronger, more inclusive community tomorrow,' Zimmerman remarked. 'Investing in security is investing in dignity and respect for everyone who walks through our doors.' Addressing broader concerns about digital privacy, Amarillo Mayor Cole Stanley stressed that safeguarding personal data is as critical as ensuring physical security. 'Our commitment to public safety extends into every aspect of our community — from physical security to digital privacy,' Stanley said. 'As we embrace advanced technologies, we must be vigilant in protecting the sanctity of our personal data. I'm proud that our approach, likened to a 'ten commandments' on digital privacy, places human-centered technology and transparency at its core.' Assistant City Manager and Chief Information Officer Rich Gagnon outlined the newly unveiled Digital Dignity, Rights and Privacy Ordinance, detailing its robust framework designed to protect citizens' digital rights. In addition to mandating annual accountability reports, quarterly advisory board meetings with residents, legal and technical experts, and strict vendor documentation protocols, the ordinance comes with a clear timeline. Immediate actions include a complete legal review and refinement of the ordinance's language, with the draft soon to be posted on the city's digital rights website for public review. Public engagement will follow through additional in-person meetings, with the first Council reading scheduled for the final meeting in March and final adoption targeted for the first meeting in April. Implementation will then kick off with annual updates and accountability reporting, ensuring the ordinance evolves with technological advancements and community needs. 'A citizen's rights in digital spaces are as inviolable as in the physical realm,' Gagnon asserted. A public health grant was taken off the consent agenda for further review by Mayor Stanley to address public concerns. Council members reviewed the FY26 Texas Department of State Health Services Immunization Grant Renewal for $261,049 — a grant that requires no local match. Public Health Director Casie Stoughton explained that the funds will cover staffing and supplies, such as syringes and office materials, necessary for administering vaccines through the state's Texas Vaccine for Children program. During discussions, questions were raised about informed consent and vaccine safety, particularly concerning the COVID-19 vaccine. Mayor Stanley addressed these concerns directly. 'I personally am not an advocate for COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, but as your mayor, my role is to ensure that all public health measures are implemented with full transparency and robust informed consent protocols,' he said. 'We must respect every individual's right to choose while ensuring our health department exceeds state requirements to protect our community from any potential risks.' Economic development was another high priority on Tuesday's agenda. Interim AEDC President and CEO Doug Nelson presented revisions to the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation's bylaws, which now provide a more specific operational roadmap than the previous, generalized framework. 'These new bylaws not only offer clearer guidelines for our staff and board but also enhance transparency throughout our budgetary processes,' Nelson said. He emphasized that correcting redundant headings and reordering paragraphs in the public information section were crucial steps toward streamlining outdated ordinances and fostering more agile economic development projects. Councilmember Tom Scherlen, who was hospitalized following Friday's special meeting, was absent from the session. Officials report that he is showing progress in his recovery and expects to be released soon. Looking ahead, Transformation Park is preparing for its ribbon cutting on April 12, with plans to welcome the first cabin community residents by April 16. 'We are going to begin interviewing potential residents and discussing our expectations next week,' Zimmerman said. 'A few weeks later, we'll open the safe space for the first 50 individuals.' The facility is part of a broader community initiative to provide comprehensive support for vulnerable populations, including those facing mental health challenges and addiction. In an era of rapid technological change and evolving public health needs, Tuesday's meeting underscored Amarillo's commitment to a multi-pronged approach — balancing enhanced public safety, digital privacy, and transparent vaccine protocols with proactive economic development. 'Our policies must protect both our physical and digital lives,' Mayor Stanley said. 'By keeping our citizens' privacy intact and ensuring that public health measures are sound, we're building a safer, more resilient Amarillo for everyone.' City of Amarillo hosts celebration for new City Hall opening Mayor digesting 'brutally honest' AEDC metrics presented by Fairly at special meeting This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo Council approves $250K for Transformation Park security
