Latest news with #TomScherlen
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Amarillo welcomes new councilmember amid election and transparency debates
After a runoff election decided by just 50 votes, David Prescott was sworn in Tuesday, June 24 as Amarillo's new Place 3 councilmember, replacing outgoing member Tom Scherlen. The ceremony marked a new chapter for the council, but debates over election procedures and city transparency, led by resident Michael Ford, underscored lingering challenges. Mayor Cole Stanley, addressing the controversy, outlined steps to boost openness and defended the city's growth strategies, setting the stage for a pivotal term. Prescott, a newcomer to the council, took the oath of office with a pledge to prioritize teamwork over politics. 'The citizens elected five individuals to work together,' he said. 'Politics is a four-letter word — I don't want any part of it.' With three decades of experience leading large boards and serving on state-appointed panels, Prescott emphasized readiness. 'You don't invent yourself the day you're sworn in,' he said. 'I bring skills I'll use from day one — data-driven decisions and collaboration.' Unlike Scherlen, known for his vocal stances on contentious issues, Prescott said he hopes to bring a more measured tone to council debate. 'Am I going to be boisterous? If needed,' he said. 'But we can govern professionally, using metrics — not authoritarian tones.' More: Prescott reflects on runoff win, campaign spending and plans for Amarillo Still, Prescott said he respects Scherlen's commitment to public service and praised the former councilmember's passion and presence. 'Tom was incredibly dedicated and brought energy and heart to the council,' Prescott said. 'He fought for what he believed in, and I respect that. I know he'll still be involved in the community, and I look forward to working alongside him in a different capacity.' Prescott acknowledged the steep learning curve but noted he's been preparing for weeks by attending council meetings since the runoff began. 'God gave us two ears and one mouth — listen twice as much as you speak,' he said. While Prescott's election win marked a smooth transition, the process that certified the runoff results has become a source of debate. The June 16 canvassing — when councilmembers officially reviewed and approved election results — was conducted by only two councilmembers in Stanley's absence. That drew criticism from Amarillo resident Michael Ford, a frequent critic of the council who previously served as Stanley's campaign treasurer during his initial mayoral run. Ford argued that the canvass violated the Amarillo City Charter, which he said requires three councilmembers for any official action, including certifying election results. In a memo presented to council, he also alleged procedural issues — such as the failure to publicly open sealed precinct returns or present vote totals by polling location — amounted to a violation of both city and state law. 'The canvass was not only incomplete, but conducted in violation of both state and Amarillo law,' Ford wrote. 'The council was misled, and immediate action is needed to preserve the integrity of the election.' Stanley defended the process, citing Texas Election Code Section 67.004, which allows a two-member quorum for canvassing in certain circumstances. He said city staff confirmed the legality of the process with state officials. 'We followed the law,' Stanley said. 'Another councilmember even called the state and got a second opinion — it was confirmed.' Still, Stanley admitted the optics were poor. 'I would've preferred to be there to avoid speculation about election integrity,' he said, adding that the certification was necessary to allow for any legal challenges. Ford, who has previously raised concerns about the city's use of executive sessions, potential Open Meetings Act violations, and transparency practices, called on the council to reconvene with a full quorum and re-certify the vote. He also asked the city to notify the Secretary of State and publish sealed precinct returns and polling location reports for public review. As of Wednesday evening, no official challenges had been filed against the election outcome or the canvassing process. Transitioning to broader priorities, Stanley also addressed questions about Amarillo's use of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ), which redirect property tax revenue to support development projects. Critics have questioned whether areas like downtown still qualify under state definitions of 'slum or blight,' a condition required for TIRZ designation. 'There's room to interpret the law,' Stanley said. 'When that land was added to the TIRZ, it qualified, and the council approved it.' He warned that overly strict interpretations could limit future investment. 'TIRZ is a tool we need to keep Amarillo moving forward,' he said, citing downtown revitalization and business development projects. To improve financial transparency, Stanley announced plans to publish monthly check registers and general ledger data on the city's website within two weeks. 'It'll be an easy link showing where your money goes,' he said. The city also plans to explore uploading 36 months of historical financial data, although Stanley said that process may require additional staff time and will return for future council discussion. As Prescott begins his term, the council faces growing pressure to address both election integrity concerns and long-standing calls for transparency. Ford's memo, while not triggering legal action so far, reflects rising public demands for accountability. Stanley's disclosure initiative and Prescott's emphasis on collaboration mark early efforts toward transparency — but whether those efforts build lasting trust will depend on how consistently the council governs in full view of the public. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: David Prescott sworn in to Amarillo City Council
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- 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
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
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
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tom Scherlen Q&A: Place 3 councilmember hopes to build on foundation set over past 2 years
Editor's note: The Amarillo Globe-News is running several Q&As involving Amarillo city candidates ahead of the upcoming May 3 election, with early voting starting April 22. The first three involved the race for mayor, and the next series will focus on the city council. Look for more of these questionnaires to run in future editions of the Globe-News. Tom Scherlen, the incumbent City Council member for Place 3, is running for re-election with a focus on infrastructure improvements, public safety staffing, and prudent budgeting. A longtime Amarillo resident, Scherlen worked for 38 years at Austin Hose — rising from an entry-level position to become CEO — and currently serves as president of the Amarillo Senior Citizens Association. He hopes to build on the progress he says the current council has made. In this Q&A — edited for clarity and brevity — he discusses his track record and outlines the projects he hopes to advance if voters return him to office. Q: What specific infrastructure projects would you prioritize if re-elected? A: Sewer lines, water lines, and the Hollywood Road Wastewater Treatment Plant top my list. That plant hasn't had a major upgrade since 1996, and it's time for a serious overhaul. We've already broken ground on the Northeast Interceptor to alleviate the load on Hollywood Road. Meanwhile, we have a 15-year street-funding plan in place, so we aren't reliant on bond issues to fix roads. There's still work to do, but these steps should significantly improve Amarillo's overall infrastructure. Q: How do you plan to support police and fire, especially after the recent pay increases for first responders? A: The pay hike is paying off with larger academy classes and improved retention. We've also introduced a Regional Crime Center and a liaison position to coordinate with Randall County, Potter County, and federal agencies. With better staffing and closer cooperation between departments, we're on track to fully meet Amarillo's public safety needs. Q: What's your strategy for attracting new businesses while supporting existing ones, especially in underserved areas? A: Location is Amarillo's biggest selling point. We sit at the crossroads of I-40 and I-27 and have solid rail access. Many companies already know where they want to expand before reaching out. Our job is to highlight what we offer: ample land, improving infrastructure, and a robust workforce pipeline through Amarillo College and AmTech. We don't need to give away the farm with incentives if we're upfront about these strengths. More companies moving in boosts our tax base and helps local businesses thrive. Q: Given the region's reliance on the Ogallala Aquifer, how would you secure Amarillo's water future? A: We estimate 300 years of water supply at today's usage rates, largely due to our well fields, especially in Roberts County. We continue acquiring additional water rights whenever possible. The next step is constructing or extending pipelines to deliver that water, which will be costly. But once our wastewater upgrades move forward, water infrastructure will be the next major priority. Our ample water supply sets us apart from many Texas cities, giving Amarillo a competitive edge. Q: Many residents are concerned about transparency. How would you keep local government open and responsive? A: I believe this council has been the most transparent in recent memory. We debate issues publicly — no preset deals — and invite everyone to speak. Some call our open disagreements 'infighting,' but I see it as democracy in action. We don't always vote the same way, yet once a decision is made, we all stand behind it. I'd rather have that than a rubber-stamp process where everything's predetermined. Q: The Civic Center bond has divided voters in past elections. What's your stance on a potential renovation or expansion? A: Voters must have the final say when it comes to spending big on something like the Civic Center. If they approve it in a referendum, we'll move forward. If they reject it, we respect that. I'm against bypassing voters' wishes, as happened in 2020. Major expenses need to be put to a public vote. Q: How would you balance affordable housing with the city's growth so our resources aren't overextended? A: We use Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) to guide new development beyond existing city limits. This allows developers to tap favorable financing for water and sewer installations — while sticking to city standards. After a set period, those areas can be annexed. This keeps expansion orderly and prevents older neighborhoods from losing out on essential services. Q: What's your plan to connect with residents, especially in older neighborhoods like North Heights that feel overlooked? A: I'm fully accessible — being retired lets me devote 40 to 50 hours a week to council duties. If someone reports a pothole or drainage issue, I can drive over there the same day. Taking swift action shows people their concerns matter, which is critical to rebuilding trust in local government. Q: How do you plan to fund essential services without raising taxes? A: Amarillo doesn't have a tax problem so much as it risks a spending problem if we're not cautious. We need to focus on needs before wants — essentials like water, wastewater, roads, and public safety. In the last two budgets, we found ways to fund core initiatives by curtailing less critical spending. Big-ticket proposals must clear a simple hurdle: do they genuinely serve residents? Q: What do you hope Amarillo will look like in two years, and how will you measure success? A: I want a fully operational infrastructure plan that's transparent to the public. A city 'dashboard' showing project timelines and costs would offer real accountability, letting residents see exactly where their money goes. If we get that dashboard up and running while making strides on roads, water, and wastewater, I'll consider these next two years a success. Q: Why seek another term, and what do you hope to accomplish? A: We've started vital projects on infrastructure, economic development, and public safety, but two years isn't enough to finish them. My 38 years at Austin Hose — where I rose from entry-level to CEO — taught me how to build strong foundations that endure. As president of the Amarillo Senior Citizens Association, I've also seen firsthand the value of active, engaged local leadership. I want to continue laying the groundwork so the city keeps improving well into the future. First elected to the City Council in 2023, Scherlen emphasizes open debate, transparent spending, and a hands-on approach to city governance. Early voting begins April 22 and continues through April 29; Election Day is May 3. For more information on Amarillo's municipal elections, visit the official city website or contact the local election office. Amarillo council candidate Q&As More: Patrick Miller Q&A: Council Place 1 candidate focuses on city's core needs Amarillo mayor candidate Q&As More: Cole Stanley Q&A: Amarillo mayor outlines city projects he wants to see through More: Jason Herrick Q&A: Infrastructure, water, and growth in Amarillo's mayoral race More: Misty Collier Q&A: Public safety, housing, and her vision for Amarillo This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo City Council Place 3 incumbent Tom Scherlen QA
