Vote Erik Williams For Amarillo City Commission

I have not lived in Amarillo for long, but I am really starting to like living here. In that spirit, I wish to endorse Erik Williams for City Commissioner - Place 4. I doubt if enough Amarillo residents read this site to be any real help to Erik in the upcoming May 12th election, but I've never been known to let little things like that stop me.

One of the main reasons I'm supporting Erik Williams, other than the fact that I've met him and like him a lot, is the fact that he supports the single-member district concept for the City Commission. I must admit that I was rather shocked to find that Amarillo does not have single-member districts. This is a concept that has already been established in most cities of Amarillo's size (and larger). Single-member districts are the only way to assure that all parts of a large city receive equal treatment.

Here is what my candidate, Erik Williams has to say on the subject:

Single Member Districts are the future of political representation for our city. We need a modern system of citizen participation in government, one that recognizes a century of growth and diversification in our community’s population. Representation by a member from our own district is a fundamental organizing principle of republican government.

The defeat of single member districts at the ballot box did not happen because most of Amarillo wanted it defeated. Most of Amarillo does want single member districts. Only one area of Amarillo seems to want to keep things as they are, and having managed to turn out more voters, has told the rest of Amarillo how it will elect its commissioners.

The system may not be broken but it is starting to break, and that has been recognized by some. I believe Mayor Debra McCartt has done well moving the commission from its chambers to its meetings out in the community. But personalities alone cannot solve the problem inherent in a century-old institution. In time the easy path will lead them back to council chambers and the historic neglect of our neighborhoods.

We are often reminded of how important it is that only someone from our region can represent the interests of the Panhandle in Austin or Washington, not someone from across the state in Houston or across the country in Oregon. Yet we are told someone from well across town can represent our neighborhood. It only takes a phone call. But isn’t it just as easy to call someone living in Houston or Oregon?

Our commissioners cannot just represent the few who contribute or vote. In a democracy the interests of the many must be considered. We should have commissioners in our own neighborhoods that can assure us of direct and fair representation.

Other issues supported by Erik Williams are the revitalization of the downtown area, and the modernization of vital city services. If you also believe in fair representation and a vital and growing Amarillo, I urge you to consider voting for Erik Williams on May 12th. For more information, drop by and visit his website.