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City Council receives update regarding potential broadband internet initiative
The Amarillo City Council recently heard an update on the potential of a city initiative in the works that would give all area residents basic access to broadband internet.
According to previous Globe-News reports, the model city officials are exploring would have open access for Amarillo residents for essential services on the internet, including education, healthcare, social services and banking.
Other services, including watching movies or television on streaming platforms and gaming, would require a subscription, which officials hope would pay for those community members using the network solely for essential services.
Tuesday’s meeting of the Amarillo City Council served as a milestone for two reasons.
First, the meeting was the first in-person meeting of the council in more than a year, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic causing council meetings, and many other public meetings, to be conducted via video conferencing software.
Second, Tuesday s meeting served as the first one after May’s general election, where individuals cast their votes for the mayoral position as well as the city’s four council seats. The votes cast by Potter and Randall county residents were canvassed and official after unanimous approval from the city council.
Based on the results of Saturday’s election, city of Amarillo voters showed that they wanted consistency both on the city council as well as who was named the city’s Mayor.
According to unofficial results from the Election Administration Offices for Potter and Randall counties, Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson, Place Two Councilmember Freda Powell, Place Three Councilmember Eddy Sauer and Place Four Councilmember Howard Smith were all re-elected for their respective positions.
“I am very pleased that voters have seen the work that we have done. We have been working for four years, and now they have said, let’s go two more years,” Nelson said. “I’m hopeful that we can use the next two years to get a lot of things done in the city. The message that I have heard over and over today from being at the polls is, ‘Thank you for the progressive way you are leading the city. Keep moving forward.’ We will do that.”
Based on the results of Saturday’s election, city of Amarillo voters showed they wanted consistency for both the city council and mayor positions.
According to unofficial results from the Election Administration Offices for Potter and Randall counties, Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson, Place Two Councilmember Freda Powell, Place Three Councilmember Eddy Sauer and Place Four Councilmember Howard Smith were all reelected for their respective positions.
The only addition to the council will be Cole Stanley in the place one seat. This comes after Elaine Hays, the place one incumbent, announced in December she would not seek reelection.
“I am very pleased that voters have seen the work that we have done. We have been working for four years and now they have said, let’s go two more years,” Nelson said. “I’m hopeful that we can use the next two years to get a lot of things done in the city. The message that I have heard over and over today from being at the polls is ‘tha