Following a jam-packed 2021, it would be hard to blame Midlanders if they are ready for a break.
Still, it appears 2022 won’t provide rest for the weary.
Governments will be ready to return to normal, but 2022 also provides Midlanders ample opportunity to decide on the direction of government. Midland ISD, the city of Midland and Midland County will be among the entities with elections. Even if there wasn’t a local election of note, there will be plenty of region and statewide elections. A new state senator for Midland-Odessa? Midlanders will have an opportunity to cast a ballot there. The same will be said for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, which might be the most competitive of them all.
COVID will again be in the community. Will there be the higher death tolls of 2020 and 2021? That is tough to forecast as are the total number of cases. At the beginning of 2020, few people would have known about delta or omicron.
Still, there will be things we do know will take place, and here’s a first look of the things to look forward to in 2022.
City elections
2021 told us there wasn’t much to the power of incumbency. Two of the three incumbents in competitive elections were voted out. This year, the mayor and representatives of District 3 (central Midland) and District 4 (west Midland) have their turn with the electorate. Those elected officials are Mayor Patrick Payton, District 3 Councilman Jack Ladd and District 4’s Lori Blong.
County elections
For those on the commissioners’ court, there are three spots up for grabs. Because Democrats won’t have a candidate in November, all three will be decided in the Republican Party’s primary. The seats up are Precinct 2, Precinct 4 and county judge. All three have competitive races.
Midland ISD elections
Three of the seven seats will be on the ballot in November. They are District 3 (Tommy Bishop), District 5 (John Trischitti III) and District 6 (Rick Davis has already stated he will not seek reelection).
Will there be another bond election in 2022? It is difficult to get a read whether the Midland ISD board is ready to pull the trigger on a bond election. Midlanders have been told facilities and grade reconfiguration have been issues. There also are concerns whether the current administration needs more time to show what it can do and whether overall sentiment about bonds is good. Midland County voters nixed a tax election in November. Greenwood ISD voters also handily voted down a bond referendum. Also, initial polling in Odessa shows no appetite for a bond referendum for Ector ISD.
Legacy, MHS head to UIL realignment
Every two years, public high schools across Texas go through the University Interscholastic League’s realignment process to determine classification and districts. That happens in February. Will the district that includes Legacy High School and Midland High face changes? That could happen if schools around Lubbock, Abilene or San Angelo show enrollment changes one way or another. Also area schools, especially those with increasing enrollments, might be impacted.
A direct flight to Austin
Southwest has announced that direct service from Midland to Austin will return in March. Southwest announced that service to and from Texas’ capital will return for the first time since 2009. The city of Midland has stated the tentative schedule for the flights include a departure out of Midland at 6:30 a.m. (arriving in Austin at 7:30 a.m.). The return flight is scheduled to leave Austin at 7:50 p.m. (arriving in Midland at 8:55 p.m.).
Celebrating 10 years
The Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center turned 10 in November and will spend much of 2022 celebrating. Acts already on the calendar include Ron White, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Tim Allen and the center’s 10-year anniversary concert on May 5 – Jimmy Buffet & The Coral Reefer Band.
Calendar
Midland County’s 70th annual Livestock Show & Sale, Jan. 12-15
Midland Chamber of Commerce State of Oil & Gas, Jan. 26
Permian Basin Water in Energy Conference, Feb. 22-24
Midland Children’s Rehabilitation Center’s Steers and Stars, Feb. 26
Primary elections, March 1
MC’s Davidson Distinguished Lecture Series presents Bob Woodward, April 7
Midland RockHounds home opener, April 12
Permian Basin Gives, May 17
Midland ISD graduations, May 28
Midland County Fair, Aug. 25-28