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Hall of Shame Amarillo Independent Awards for 2007 By The Amarillo Independent Staff People in the public eye sometimes deserve the awards they get. But, the "Man of the Year" and "Woman of the Year" titles seemed too staid and cliched for the Indy staff. Public figures should still get their just desserts. So, in consultation with a major polling organization that has requested anonymity because of its high-level ties with powerful and influential people — well, really the staff sitting around eating doughnuts and drinking coffee — The Amarillo Independent has scoured the Panhandle for worthy recipients of the Indy special awards. After being hermetically sealed in an Al Gore 2004 Model Lockbox, here are the winners for 2007: • The Inaugural Manny of the Year Award, given to the person who most exemplifies flying in the face of all logic and reason — Manny Perez for his single-handed resistance to the Tax Incentive Reinvestment Zone. • The Foot in Mouth Award, for the most ridiculous quote by a public official — Becky McIlraith, spokeswoman for The Amarillo Independent School District, when asked about a rumor that a student was planning to bring a gun to shoot people at Tascosa High School: "It was investigated, and a whole lot of time was wasted on nothing." • The "I Am Not a Crook Award" — Sheriff Mike Shumate, under indictment on public corruption charges. • The "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" Award — John Hicks, Baptist St. Anthony's Health System president and chief executive, for his $2.1 million 2005 salary. • The Hogan's Heroes Sgt. Schultz "I Know Nothing, Nothing" Award — The Family Support Services Board for ignoring overwhelming evidence about the executive leadership of the organization. • The Don't Let the door Hit You on the Way Out Award — Christine Nusser, former executive director at Family Support Services • The I Forgot to Wash My Hands Award — The Amarillo Chamber of Commerce and the booths at the barbecue that were cited by the city's Environmental Health Department • The What the Buff Award — KWTS, the West Texas A&M radio station, for dropping the F-Bomb and N-word on the air Oct. 18. • The I Was Not Aware, Let Me Check It Out Award — Dr. Leigh Browning, a professor of communications at West Texas A&M University and adviser to the radio station. • The Best Disappearing Act — Local news in the Amarillo Globe-News and High Plains Hospital (tie). • The Hot Air Award — Rep. David Swinford for his initiatives on wind energy. • The What's Left of Your Civil Rights Award — President George W. Bush • The Howdy-Doody Marionette Award — Rep. Mac Thornberry, for his unquestioning loyalty and following instructions of his GOP masters. • The I Wish I Was in Dixie Award — The Ku Klux Klan, for its visit to Amarillo • The Building an Airport Is So Taxing Award — The Amarillo City Commission • The Round Up the Usual Suspects Award — Those who started the St. Mary's Church fire and the Horace Mann fire (tie) • The I Don't Know What Community Colleges Do With Their Money Award — Gov. Rick Perry • The Half Full-Half Empty Water Glass Award — T. Boone Pickens for lassoing the rights to Roberts County water. • The Ask Me No Questions and I'll Tell You No Lies Award — Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison for her lack of availability to the media during her visits to Amarillo. The Indy is accepting nominations and suggestions for additional awards. E-mail them to george@amarilloindy.com. E-mail
comments about this story Posted: January 3, 2008
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