Who's Next for the LGC?: Names of Applicants Released to the Amarillo Pioneer

The City of Amarillo is currently seeking applications for eight advisory boards which feature vacancies. And one of the most influential boards in the City sports a wide array of applicants.

Following Les Simpson's resignation from the board of the Local Government Corporation, the City of Amarillo began searching for new applicants to take Simpson's place. The board holds an astounding amount of influence in City business as it has been instrumental to the movement of the MPEV, baseball, parking garage, and hotel projects.

According to records obtained by the City of Amarillo, 15 candidates currently have applications pending for the Local Government Corporation. At least one candidate's application dates back to 2015, while the majority of other candidates have been waiting on the bench since 2016 to get the call for the LGC board.

According to the City Secretary's office the candidates currently vying for a spot on the LGC (listed with date of application) are:

• Rob Parker

• Alpesh Patel

• Mary Bralley 5/16/2014

• Mariah Strong-Woods

• Christopher Walker 4/21/2017

• Cindi Bulla 8/26/2015

• Joshua Raef 4/20/2016

• William (Bill) Bandy 4/22/2017

• Brennan Leggett 5/2/2017

• Gary Jennings 5/31/2017

• Ronnie Walker 5/22/2017

• Ludell Hill 6/6/2017

• Roy Urrutia 6/22/2017

• James Schenck 5/24/2017

• Paul Matney 7/10/2017

The list of candidates includes the former president of Amarillo College, a downtown real estate investor, an insurance broker, a restaurateur, a menu consultant, and an attorney, among others.

Several of the candidates have also been influential in campaigns and hold political ties to the current members of the City Council. One candidate was even the treasurer for one City Councilman's successful campaign. Paul Matney served as the treasurer for Howard Smith's City Council campaign, James Schenck previously ran for City Council, and several other candidates have previously been donors to Council campaigns.

The date that the new seat will be appointed has not yet been released, however following previous comments by Mayor Ginger Nelson on Facebook, it is expected that the appointment could take place in August or September.

To apply for the vacant seat on the Local Government Corporation Board, please visit the City of Amarillo's website.