Every now and then you see evidence of local government listening to and acting on what it hears from the constituency it serves.
So it happened up yonder in Amarillo, where the city council has postponed any action on relocating its City Hall.
According to a statement published on Amarillo Matters’ site:
After listening to feedback from Amarillo residents, the City Council voted 4 to 1 to withdraw their intent to issue $35 million in certificates of obligation for a City Hall project. In the meeting, Mayor Ginger Nelson said, āThere were enough citizens who reached out to say I still have questions.ā Nelson added that, āWe can take time; I do think it is diligent for us to take more time and spend time answering those questions…I think itās important for us to listen to what the citizens are telling us and figure out what the best approach is.āĀ In a flip-flop from his earlier vote, Councilmember Cole Stanley was the lone vote to continue the issuance of certificates of obligation and the project.
How about that?
The council had floated a notion of relocating its City Hall. The idea, as I understand it, took more than one form. There was talk about adding it to a bond issue proposal that included renovating the Civic Center. Then the council thought it would issue the COs, which do not require a citywide vote.
Now it has backed off altogether. I guess the current City Hall will have to serve the residents for the time being while the council wrestles with what to do, where to go … and how to pay for it.
That’s a satisfactory, if only temporary, outcome.
John,
Are you aware of Craig Gualtiereās petition drive to protest the issuance of the certificates of obligation? He collected over 10,000 signatures (which was far more than the roughly 5,800 he needed). He did this at great time and expense to himself. But the City leaders have refused to acknowledge Craig and his efforts. They refuse to say anything about the petition – they refuse to say how many signatures are valid. Cole Stanley asked specifically during the Council meeting about the petition and was rebuffed.
I was unaware of that, Ted. Thanks for the update/info.