Another incumbent has bailed from the Amarillo City Council.

The latest to call it quits — perhaps if only temporarily — is Place 2 Councilwoman Lisa Blake, who announced this week she will not seek election to the seat to which she was appointed in 2016.

This is a loss for the city, as is the upcoming departure of Mayor Paul Harpole.

Blake said “family priorities” are taking precedence over public service, but let’s not close the door, lock it and toss the key on the chance of her returning to municipal politics. In the meantime, she has thrown her support behind Freda Powell, another fine and capable candidate for Place 2.

Two years ago, voters elected three new council members, all of whom vowed to be change agents for the city. This election season might produce at least that many new council members, depending on voters’ mood. Two years ago, voters expressed anger — or so many of us were led to believe. To be honest, I’m still a bit baffled at the reason for the anger, given the city’s robust economic health and the progress it has made toward the redevelopment of its downtown district.

I am not at all sure what will drive this year’s election. But with two incumbents calling it a public service career, there appears to be momentum to a huuuuge municipal ballot in May.

The more candidates the better. That’s my unofficial political motto at any level of the political process.

The more candidates we have, the more choices will be available for voters. The more choices we get, the more ideas we get to hear. Thus, we’ll be grazing along a smorgasbord of guiding principles.

That’s a good thing for everyone.

I’ve already saluted Paul Harpole for his service to the city. He isn’t likely to return to elected public service. As for Lisa Blake, thank you for your brief time in the municipal arena. Here’s hoping you’ll return to the fight one day.