Paul Harpole | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 33rd Mayor of Amarillo | |
| In office May 2011 – May 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Debra McCartt |
| Succeeded by | Ginger Nelson[1] |
| Member of the Amarillo City Council for Place 2 | |
| In office May 2005 – May 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Terri Stavenhagen |
| Succeeded by | Brian J. Eades |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1950 (age 73–74) Deer Lodge, Montana, U.S. |
| Spouse | Jenny Zimmermann Harpole[2] |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | Amarillo, Texas, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of New Mexico (BBA) |
| Profession |
|
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1968-1971 |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Army Commendation Medal, Army Air Medal |
Paul Harpole (born 1950) is an American politician and businessman who served as the mayor of Amarillo, Texas, the largest city in the Texas Panhandle, from May 2011 to May 2017.[1] He chose not to seek re-election in 2017. Before serving as mayor, Harpole was an Amarillo City Councilmember from May 2005 to May 2007.[3]
Throughout his political career, Harpole has focused on improving downtown Amarillo. He is the vice-chairman of the downtown Center City Amarillo Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone board, which diverts property tax revenues in the zone to projects with the goal of improving the area.[4] As mayor, he has explored plans to build a baseball stadium and a parking garage in Amarillo. However, the development partners that the city worked with for three years suddenly went out of business in January 2015, causing a setback.
Harpole has also received media attention for his comments on refugees in Amarillo, which receives more refugees per capita than any other Texas city. He has expressed concern for the city's ability to accommodate the relatively large number, but has asserted that Amarillo is supportive and accepting of refugees.
- ^ a b "Amarillo Mayor: Click here for the latest returns".
- ^ "Olive Theresa Sigur Zimmermann - Amarillo.com - Amarillo Globe-News". amarillo.com.
- ^ "History of Amarillo City Officials". Amarillo.gov. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
- ^ "TIRZ boosts downtown Amarillo's fortunes - NBC12 - WWBT - Richmond, VA News On Your Side". NBC12. Archived from the original on 2017-01-01. Retrieved 2016-12-10.