In the running for mayor is life-long Pampa resident Paul Searl, a man who wants to serve the community he loves by doing all he can to make and keep Pampa the ideal place to live and thrive.
“I wouldn’t live anywhere else, my heart is right here,” he said. “I’ve been here through thick and thin, even back in the oilfield days when I went through a few layoffs, but I stuck with it and didn’t move from Pampa. I’ve just always had a big heart for this place and I’ve always wanted to see more growth and prosperity for everyone here.”
Having lived in Pampa his entire life, Paul has witnessed the many changes our town has gone through over the years, including the fluctuations in population and the comings and goings of businesses and industries.
Through his time serving as a city commissioner for the last four years, he has gained a deeper understanding as to why these changes take place and what actions can be taken to combat the stagnancy, some that have already been taken.
One of the biggest projects to incentivize growth and prosperity for Pampa’s citizens and local businesses is the Downtown Revitalization project, and although it has only recently started its second phase, the effects have already been seen and felt, and its not uncommon to see vehicles lined up and down Cuyler Street in front of the busy locally-owned businesses that have made the beautiful downtown Pampa their home.
With big projects comes the fear of higher tax rates for the city’s tax payers, but the mayor and commissioners and many other city personnel did everything they could to not raise taxes and actually lowered them.
Just last year, the city commission voted to align the salaries of the police and fire departments to be more competitive with other towns the size of Pampa, hoping to provide an incentive for existing personnel to stay and potentially bring new ones in.
The city currently has its sights set on bringing data centers in that will create many jobs right here in Pampa and promote growth through encouraging other businesses to make their home here as well.
“I think it’s a step across the threshold and we’re going to be looking at a lot more opportunities. With the new industry, I believe it’s going to be a win-win for everyone, including for our local businesses and those wanting to start their own business, and as a small business owner myself, this is really important. I believe it will be a win for our schools and churches as well.”
“Pampa’s new slogan is ‘Welcome Home’ and that’s fitting for a place like Pampa that has the potential for big growth. I just want to be a part of that, and as mayor, I’ll be working closely with the commission and the Pampa Economic Development Corporation to make sure we’ve still got those opportunities coming in.”
Paul is also passionate about getting the community more involved with what is going on in the town they live in and to help them gain a bigger sense of trust in their local government.
“I would like to start a ‘Citizens of Pampa’ task force and just take groups of people from all around Pampa and meet with them regularly about issues and ideas they might have and for them to just kind of give us some insight on what they are thinking outside of the chambers.”
Paul’s campaign slogan is ‘For Our Future’, and with the experience he has and the love he holds in his heart for the town he refused to leave when times got tough, the future is just what Paul is excited for.
Early voting will begin on April 22 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.
