They’re narrowing the search area in the southern Indian Ocean where it is believed Malaysia Air Flight MH 370 went down. Does that mean an end to the nightmarish uncertainty that breaks the hearts of those awaiting word of their loved ones’ fate? Let us pray it is so. http://www.connectamarillo.com/news/story.aspx?id=1023038#.UzK2PFJOWt8 Without a conclusive discovery of … Continue reading Search narrows; conclusion near?
Nancy Tanner reminded us today of something that seems to have slipped under the radar. She made history by becoming, pending the election this November, Potter County’s first female county judge. I have to take pains to avoid getting ahead of myself. Tanner at this point only is the Republican nominee to be county judge. … Continue reading County to get its first female judge
First, I have to stipulate that I don’t have an electoral voice in Potter County, given that I live in Randall County. But I’m going to weigh in anyway on the Potter County judge’s race, as I am acquainted with four of the five candidates and I know two of them quite well. The fifth … Continue reading Some thoughts on Potter County judge contest
I’ve said many times that election cycles are learning experiences for me. The lessons are taught to me by candidates for public office. Many of these candidates have long years of public service under their belt when they seek another office or seek to return to the office they occupy. They know about their community … Continue reading Learning curve continues
Lynn Tate, head of the High Plains Water District, gave the Rotary Club of Amarillo some good news Thursday. Amarillo is in excellent shape with regard to its long-term supply of water. We’re in far better shape than almost any other significant city in Texas, he said. T. Boone Pickens once had this idea of … Continue reading Water supply excellent … for now
As is quite often the case, my attempt at political prognostication proved pointless. I had posited a notion that two candidates for Potter County judge would vie against each other the seat being vacated by long-time incumbent Arthur Ware. Silly me. I didn’t anticipate a field of five Republicans running for the office next year. … Continue reading Field of five emerges for Potter judge race
Republican Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who’s running for governor, had this — among other things — to say to a North Texas tea party group: “Both the advocates of red light cameras and their detractors have a point. One emphasizes safety, and the other emphasizes privacy.” Let’s hold it right there. http://www.texastribune.org/2013/12/05/governors-race-draws-spotlight-red-light-cameras/ I am … Continue reading Red-light cameras become campaign issue
I dislike commenting on business matters, but the news today about the future of the grocery business in Amarillo is disturbing on its face. Albertsons is buying United Supermarkets. Albertsons is based in Boise, Idaho; United is based right here in West Texas, in Lubbock. We’ve been shopping at United almost from the day we … Continue reading Supermarket chain swallows another one
Potter County commissioners went into closed session this week to discuss a complaint about County Judge Arthur Ware. They came back out and said there would be no action taken. End of story, yes? No. http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2013-08-19/potter-commissioners-considering-complaint-against-judge-arthur-ware Ware’s tale is getting very strange. He suffered a stroke in 2010 and has been unable to communicate verbally … Continue reading Courthouse intrigue mounts
Potter County Judge Arthur Ware has announced — in a statement delivered by his wife — that he won’t run for re-election in 2014. He is to be commended for realizing the obvious, that his 2010 stroke has rendered him incapable of campaigning for his office, let alone performing the duties that go along with … Continue reading Potter County judge race could get testy