The City of Pampa Commissioner Seat for Ward 4 is being contested between Bryan Fisher and Laura McGrath.
Fisher, who has lived in Ward 4 for 35 years, said the timing seemed right for him to put his name in the ring.
“Instead of saying I wish people would make this change or make that change, I think it’s time for me to jump in and make some changes myself,” Fisher said. “I’ll voice my opinion and speak for the others. My saying on my cards is ‘Fighting for the Forgotten.’ I don’t mean for that to offend anyone but I feel like sometimes some folks are forgotten and their voices need to be heard.”
Among Fisher’s issues is the up-keep of Pampa particular at the city limit entrances.
“Pampa has done a good job of knocking old buildings down and cleaning up some of the trash,” Fisher said. “I see the entrances coming into the Pampa, and I feel like we could do better than that. I feel like it’s time to clean it up and we need to take pride in Pampa.”
Fisher said growing up as an 80s child in Pampa, he remembers when Pampa “was shining” and would like to see changes to clean the city up, which will have a contagious effect on the positive attitude.
“When you live in a clean area, people have a better attitude,” Fisher said. “They see cleanliness in their area and they want to take pride in where they live and clean up their area, as well. I would like to see a lot of community involvement and we can have fun in this town again. The City Lake is a beautiful area and we can have a fundraiser to stock the lake with more fish and have an awesome community event and have a good time out there. People need smiles on their faces.”
Fisher worked for Operations Management International on the City’s Water Treatment Plant for 12 years. In 2011, he went to work for Chesapeake Energy for some time and for the last four years has been an operator for Cabot. In the community, he is also known as Fish on Fire DJ Service.
“We love to do community involvement with Fish on Fire DJ Service,” Fisher said. “We love to put a smile on peoples’ faces and for people to just escape reality for a little bit and have a good time.”
Fisher would like to see some improvements in various departments of the City that affect parks and cleanliness.
“I don’t want to sound like I’m dogging the City, I know there doing the best they can currently,” Fisher said. “But there is room for improvement. We could use people working off tickets/fines. The City would benefit from using the ones incarcerated.”
The role of the City Commissioner is to identify issues and listen to their constituents’ needs, Fisher’s knowledge of Ward 4 and it’s people will help him should he be elected.
“I’ve lived in Ward 4 for more than 35 years,” Fisher said. “I know the ins-and-outs of Pampa and my area. I know the complaints and have had several myself. I don’t want to just be a complainer, I want to be an ear for the people and take their complaints to the City.”
Another duty of the City Commissioner is to oversee the City’s budget. Having spent some time at the Wasterwater Treatment Plant, Fisher said he has worked with City officials on their budget.
“I did go to Department Head meetings when I worked for OMI at the wastewater plant,” Fisher said. “I do have an understanding budgets and what it takes to make a facility run. Being a business owner I have dealt with taxes and have an understand to make a company run. But, I also understand running the City is a completely different thing.”
Fisher said he has seen Pampa shine and would like to see it back to wear it’s “shining again.”
“It’s gonna take some doors opening and people to speak up,” Fisher said. “A lot of people have said, ‘Whatever you do, grow up and get out of town.’ I’m tired of hearing that. I have four grandbabies with one on the way. I don’t want to have to tell them to grow up and get out of here. I want to be able to tell them to make this their home and be a part of them making it their home.”
Fisher would like to see more money on the tax roll and bring in more local businesses.
“Downtown is the heart of Pampa, it needs to sparkle and it needs to shine,” Fisher said.
Fisher has helped out with a number of non-profits and attends Briarwood Church. Fisher has been married to his wife for 20 years and the pair have four children and four grandchildren with another on the way.
Fisher will start putting signs out soon and has a Facebook page for the campaign.
“I want to get in here and help this place out,” Fisher said. “Let’s make Pampa shine again. I know so many people here and I can get them to help.”
Early voting in this election begins on April 19 through April 27 and will be held at the Pampa ISD administration building. Hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on April 26-27 when voting will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. This is a city-wide election and citizens can vote for all of the candidates, not just the ones in their ward.
