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Her involvement in the El Paso theater scene began in 1952 at the Turn of the Century Theater , where she starred in a vaudeville-type comedy . She served on the board of directors of the El Paso Playhouse , helped organize the Las Americas Civic Theater and also served on the board of the El Paso Upstairs Theater . She last acted in the local production of “ The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas .”
Harris made her first run for elected office in 1977 , vying for a new place added to the City Council . She was the sixth woman to run for City Council . The first woman to be successful was Arlene Quenon , who was elected in 1975 and defeated for re-election in 1977 .
The 1977 city election reflected major changes in the electoral system and at city hall . The voters chose to vote in single districts . Before , voters elected all their city representatives or aldermen in a citywide election . Also , the ticket system where mayoral candidate and candidates for City Council ran as a slate became obsolete .
Harris was the first woman to serve three terms on City Council . She served alongside three different mayors . She was considered a moderate and a swing vote . One of Harris ’ colleagues , former state Representative Pat Haggerty , labeled her “ the Great Compromiser .” Haggerty jokingly said to the Paso Del Norte Magazine , “ I ' m convinced Polly will spend her time in purgatory halfway between heaven and hell .” In Harris ’ first term on City Council , she spearheaded the El Paso Tourism and Visitors Bureau , the Civic Center , County- City Nutrition programs , and the Civil Defense Commission departments . She worked to enhance tourism and had brain storming sessions , inviting the public to help with ways to promote El Paso . Under Harris ’ leadership , the El Paso Civic and Convention bureau won three awards from The International Association of Conventions and Visitors Bureau .
She was also an advocate for the elderly , working for more free services for the elderly and for additional senior citizens ’ centers . Harris was an advocate of the arts , founding the Art Resources Department . She supported building the former city hall and was very much involved in designing its interior . She also supported the establishment of an emergency medical system and supported the city manager form of government . Harris was also an advocate for women . She appointed women to non-traditional city boards and commissions . Harris also chaired the local chapter of the El Paso Women ’ s Political Caucus . She received the caucus ’ s support each time she ran for office .
Harris was considered a mentor to many woman politicians who came after her . She told El Paso Times reporter Ramon Renteria that , “ Not a lot of women can take the slings and arrows that befall you as a result of serving in public . But I never did the feminist thing . I served as an alderman . I had one vote that made me equal .”
On October 10 , 1978 , she abstained on an emergency vote to annex a slope of the Franklin Mountains to the Franklin Mountains National Park , which was part of an effort to block development on the mountain slope . Her action was criticized , but she stood her ground . She said in a paid open letter
28 Cenizo Spring 2022