Incumbent City Commissioner for Ward 1 Gary Winton has decided to not seek re-election and now Pam Martin and Paul Searl are running for his place.
Pam Martin graduated Pampa High School in 1990 and decided to run for city commissioner as another way to become more involved in the community.
“This was the right time for me to run as city commissioner,” Martin said. “I think that it’s time for new and fresh ideas on the commission.”
Martin feels like the City of Pampa has great leadership in place at Pampa Fire Department, Police Department and administration. While she praised the Operation Community Pride App, she would like to see Pampa citizens come together and help each other, especially when it comes to the stray animal issue.
“I hear there are vacant properties that need cleaned up and are unpaved streets in the city,” Martin said. “There’s a stray animal issue and that’s one of the main reasons I’m running. People need to help with controlling the animal population.
“People also need to help the less fortunate. There are homeless people here. The City needs to work with the VFW to make sure the veterans have access to the resources they need to get the help they need.”
Martin has looked into other cities similar to Pampa and how they handle the animal situation, and the solution starts enforcement.
“We have laws and ordinances in place,” Martin said. “But one of the problems are they are not being enforced. We need to have some changes made in our ordinances, not costly to pet owners but responsible.
“One place I looked at has it to where the pet owner has to register their animal for $2 and they have to be chipped. If you want to have puppies you can, but you have to have a license. Not a big, expensive fee. But it’s affordable and is a spay/neuter program.
“I’ve spoke to one of the veterinarians here and they are all for helping to make a program.”
Martin added that whether she is elected or not, she will do what she can to help the community with the animal issues.
Martin would like to see new businesses continued to be brought in but also the existing businesses get the help they need to grow.
“I would like to see businesses brought in that can employ our community,” Martin said. “Not necessarily bring people in but employ the people that we have here. I would also like to see our City employees are taken care of, because that is what keeps turnover low and morale high.”
Martin is a third-generation business owner for Pampa Communications, and continues to sell satellite phones to clients across the Texas Panhandle.
Martin volunteers for Pampa Animal Welfare Society and several rescues in the area.
She ultimately wants to follow in the footsteps of her late father, Danny Martin, in helping the community.
“I want to help the community all the way around,” Martin said. “It’s something he taught me, to be kind and helpful to everybody. I don’t care who you are, where you live, etc. I value people.”
Martin raised her three boys in Pampa and has two grandchildren. She attends Briarwood Church.
Martin looks to bring her leadership qualities and experiences to the City Commission.
“I owned my own business,” Martin said. “I was involved in the football booster club for many years and was the president for two years. Since I was young I have always been involved in community things, from school, Lions Club and other various civic organizations.”
Martin has lived in her house in Ward 1 for 22 years.
Martin would love to hear the concerns of the citizens whether they are supporting her or not.
“I would love to hear their concerns, positive or negative,” Martin said.
Martin can be reached at 806-663-6770 or on her Facebook page “Pam Martin for Ward 1 City Commissioner Pampa.”
Early voting locations will be weekdays April 19 through April 27 at the Pampa ISD Administration building, 1233 N. Hobart.
Election day, May 1, Voting from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. MK Brown Auditorium 1000 N Sumner.
Pampa citizens are not required to vote only in their Ward they can vote “At Large” for all the Candidates.
