Mayors from West Texas Cities Meet and Collaborate

LUBBOCK, TX — Mayors in West Texas are joining together to advocate for the region. Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope and Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson co-hosted the first West Texas Mayors Meeting on Wednesday, July 19. Big Spring Mayor Larry McLellan, Midland Mayor Jerry Morales, Odessa Mayor David Turner, and San Angelo Mayor Brenda Gunter joined with Mayors Pope and Nelson to discuss common goals and issues for their communities. Abilene Mayor Anthony Williams was scheduled to attend the meeting, but could not make the trip to Lubbock due to unforeseen circumstances. Mayor Williams will be briefed on the conversations that took place and will be able share any additional comments with the group.

Held in Lubbock at the Texas Tech Club inside Jones AT&T Stadium, participants in the West Texas Mayors Meeting shared initiatives for transportation, water, and economic development. The group also discussed state and federal legislation impacting each city and the region as a whole.

“Our cities in West Texas share many of the same priorities,” Mayor Pope said. “We want to come together and share ideas so we can help each other thrive and ensure that our needs are taken into consideration by our state legislators and congressional members.”

As agriculture continues to help drive the economy in West Texas, leaders took part in a discussion with Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. Executive Vice President Steve Verett. Verett shared details about the organization along with insight about the industry, including its successes and challenges.

The Texas Tech University System connects the region with campuses in the Big Country, Concho Valley, High Plains, Permian Basin, and South Plains. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center President Dr. Tedd Mitchell joined the group to discuss the school’s initiatives and goals.

Mayor Pope thanks all those who attended the West Texas Mayors Meeting, and he wants to continue the collaboration for the betterment of West Texas.