Last issue, I provided a brief and shallow overview of the mayoral contest in Fairhope and promised Daphne would be next. Before fulfilling that commitment, I need to close the loop on my open appeal to City Council President Bob Gentle to run for mayor: Bob announced his candidacy just after the previous Lagniappe came out.
So with that out of the way, let’s look at Daphne. Unlike the city to its south with its mob of hopeful mayors, Daphne has at the moment I type this, no more than two or three candidates. The certain two are former mayor Harry Brown (“Bring Back Brown”) and former executive, consultant and “Santa America” founder (also head Santa Claus), Ernie Berger. The possible third candidate is incumbent Fred Small, who at various times has stated his uncertainty on running while third parties report that he will seek re-election.
Still, it’s a couple of weeks before he or anyone else has to formally declare and be qualified to run, so no rush on coming to a decision – although the race is already on, with or without him.
In a way Berger’s candidacy makes Small’s decision only slightly relevant. Former-mayor Brown and incumbent-mayor Small are so similar when compared to newcomer Berger, that they are indistinguishable from each other. Both personify the folksy, small town Southern politico that is a staple of movies and TV. Local businessmen, they easily connect with long-established Daphne residents – residents who have seen both of them in action and can reasonably expect more of the same from either.
If not peas in a pod when contrasted to Ernie Berger, Fred Small and Harry Brown are no different, let’s say, than black-eyed and pink-eyed peas (Southern cooks: please don’t hassle me over the culinary differences – I’m not making supper, just working a metaphor). Berger is a recent arrival (2004), very much from Big Business and far-away places. If elected he will be a drastic change (a “Paradigm Shift” in business parlance) for the city both in objectives and in behavior. First, look at what makes Ernie run (from his official Web site):
In explaining his decision to run, Berger points to a truly historic opportunity presented by the upcoming mayoral election to move Daphne up and into a new era that must deal with rapid growth and infrastructure development in a responsible planned manner based on continuous citizen input and support. He says he will focus on fiscal responsibility as a top priority and intends to build on the skills and abilities of city employees, volunteer organizations and the strengths and contributions of previous administrations. Berger plans to engage citizens in developing a strategic vision that honors Daphne’s rich history and traditions while preparing effectively for a very active future.
Next, consider what he’s been doing for the city over the last few years – and who he’s been doing it with. He’s on the board of the Olde Towne Daphne Association – a public interest group often in conflict the city leaders and influential members of the community, on such issues as protecting public access to the bay, retaining the traditional look and feel of the city by enhancing the “Olde Towne” district, and opposing high-rise development.
While not always successful, this group with activist Karen Nady as its president, has succeeded in speaking up for the residents in the conduct of city affairs. Their position is enhanced by having city council member Cathy Barnette serving both as an officer of the association and as the representative of the district where the group draws much of its support. Barnette has been fairly open in communicating her dissatisfaction with the agenda and processes of the city council and has often been the sole voice of dissent in votes that affect the city’s quality of life.
There’s an additional twist in Barnette’s connections – she also works for “Santa America,” which you will recall is headed by Ernie Berger. There is nothing wrong with any of this – in fact it should be expected in places like Daphne where there is about one degree of separation, maybe less. But I suggest that were Berger to become mayor, his addenda will be in synch with the people who are now on the outside – that large group of residents from the up-scale District 2 (Barnette’s) who are often ignored by the council (but of course only in the most respectful manner).
Also in the mix is the future composition of the city council. A Daphne business owner told me that there is pressure being put on Greg Burnam to bow out and not seek re-election. Having casually discussed the operation of the council with residents, I know that I am not alone in concluding that Burnam’s service as council president has been marked by indirection and an inability to build consensus, resulting in painfully slow decision-making – sometimes virtual paralysis (recall the years-in-coming high-rise ordinance). If someone who feels comfortable with the agenda of the “Olde Towne” activists replaces Burnam, there could be a new city council that leans sharply toward the reforms that Berger, Barnette and Nady have been pushing.
And I will say again that there is nothing wrong with this kind of coalition gaining formal authority over the city. It’s probably time for the small-town myopia and me-too boosterism (resulting among other things in poorly planned growth) to be countered by reforms that will keep “Daphne, Daphne” (to borrow a phrase from Fairhope) as it moves into the future.
But if this shift in control happens, the residents of Daphne will get an exciting new agenda – something never before experienced – from their new leaders.
Contact Pete Gleszer at jubilee@lagniappemobile.com.
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