Paul Harpole
| Paul Harpole | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Mayor of Amarillo, Texas | |
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Assumed office May 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Debra McCartt |
| Member of the Amarillo City Council for Place 2 | |
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In office May 2005 – May 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Terri Stavenhagen |
| Succeeded by | Brian J. Eades |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1950 (age 66–67) Deer Lodge, Montana |
| Spouse(s) | Jenny Harpole |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Amarillo, Texas |
| Alma mater | University of New Mexico |
| Profession | Automobile salesperson |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1968-1971 |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Army Commendation Medal, Army Air Medal |
Paul Harpole (born 1950 in Deer Lodge, Montana) is an American politician and businessman who has served as the Mayor of Amarillo, Texas, the largest city in the Texas Panhandle, since May 2011. His current term expires May 2017. Before serving as mayor, Harpole was the Amarillo City Councilmember for Place 2 from May 2005 to May 2007.
Throughout his political career, Harpole has focused on improving downtown Amarillo. He is the vice-chairman of the downtown Amarillo Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone board, which diverts property tax revenues in the zone to projects with the goal of improving the area. 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.
Harpole was born in Deer Lodge, Montana in 1950, and raised in Denver, Colorado. After finishing high school, he joined the U.S. Army in 1968. From 1969-1971, he served served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War as a crew chief on a medevac helicopter. During his time in Vietnam, he received an Army Commendation Medal and nineteen Army Air Medals. After finishing his service, he enrolled in the University of New Mexico in 1971, where he was involved with Kappa Alpha. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Anderson School of Management in 1976.
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