Mike Borger is currently in the running for Mayor for the City of Pampa and envisions growth, prosperity and fulfillment for a community he loves.
Hailing originally from Amarillo, Mike and his wife Lynnae moved to Pampa ten years ago and according to him, they immediately fell in love with our town that’s about a quarter of the size of its much bigger neighbor.
Mike spent many years in the equipment leasing business, first starting his own business, Turn Key Leasing, over 40 years ago before he was given the opportunity to help pastor the Trinity Church in Pampa.
“We really came to Pampa with the heart to give,” Mike said. “We don’t have a business here or anything like that, we just wanted to give to Pampa and really had a heart for the potential. That’s part of our slogan: Harvest That Pampa Potential. We’ve long seen Pampa as kind of a metroplex with all of the surrounding towns coming here to shop and coming to our events and things like that. Down the road, I really think that Pampa likely is going to be a metroplex. We have a big vision for what can happen here.”
Obtaining a degree in Finance from Harding University, Mike was able to successfully utilize that knowledge to start his own business, as well as become involved in land developing, home building, home rental, and real estate. Not only did Mike play an important role in such business matters that positively effected his community, but he got to know the community as well.
When he came to Pampa, Mike admits he didn’t know a single person here, but it didn’t take long for him to realize that the folks in Pampa are warm and welcoming.
“We just fell in love with the town and the people and now it’s our home. It’s a great place to live and we plan to stay here forever.”
Mike had never thought about running for mayor, but after the encouragement of close friends and a heartfelt discussion with his wife, he decided that maybe God was calling him to do it.
“Maybe He prepared me with experience in business and finance that could be really helpful,” he said. “Pampa is on the verge of doing some really great things and has a great management team in place at the City and some great leaders on the PEDC board.”
When it comes to the changes that he would like to see implemented for Pampa, Mike’s vision is two-fold.
“First is our median household income. Pampa is about $48,000 whereas the median household income for Texas is almost $70,000. Why is that? We need to do things to advance these folks’ paychecks and raise our standard of living in Pampa. The other is our median home value. Ours is around $80,000 whereas the median home value in Texas is around $300,000. It’s tied to the ability to pay which goes back to the household income. I would love to see us have an active real estate market-for people to realize the value in their homes and be able to sell or trade up and have the income to handle that.”
“We want the world to realize that Pampa is a great place to live and it’s a place that would be desirable to raise your family and have a home and stay here.”
If elected, Mike intends to become more involved with the Pampa Economic Development Corporation and help initiate growth in Pampa, all while maintaining peace and balance.
“I don’t want to create controversy or anything like that. I’m a peacemaker and a team builder and I want all of us to work hand-in-hand and help the town prosper.”
“I don’t have an ax to grind, I don’t have any complaints, I don’t have anyone I’m after, I don’t have a business that would get in conflict to make a decision one way or the other. My goal is to do true public service and to help the town.”
Early voting will begin on April 21 through April 29 in the Pampa ISD Administration building, located at 1233 N. Hobart, between 8 AM and 5 PM. Election day is May 3 at MK Brown between 7 AM and 7 PM.
