New Marion Mayor "Can't Say No" to Construction Projects

What did you expect going into the mayoral position?

What I was hoping for is that I would have more support within the city and the council. As it turned out we are a couple votes shy of changing any major situations in the city. You had to qualify that statement to say that not everything that is done by this city is wrong or controversial. It is like Abraham Lincoln — everyday you learn something new. It is the controversial items that everyone listens to, $20  million here, $20 million here, pretty soon that doesn’t mean anything, that's Monopoly money.

After taking the mayor seat, do you think you had any misconceptions on how the job worked?

I understood. There aren’t any surprises. This city is run by the city manager; the mayor is only one vote. The city manager is supported by the city council. That’s how it is.

Where do you disagree with the council?

Capital projects. They are set in place by the previous council so they are going to continue. Some of the capital expenditures are worthy and others I would like to see some cost controls and a better thought process gone into them. There wasn’t enough transparency involved. 

In what way is the city not being transparent?

The city does everything by the book. The average people don’t get involved very often. There is just a lot that is missed by the public.

Is it frustrating that you don’t have the support for your projects that you hoped for prior to the election?

I went into this understanding that. There are somethings you realize that you can’t accomplish. The people have to realize that the mayor is only one vote — they have to be more vocal with council and city manager because the city manger is the one running the city.

 If you aren’t in support of these projects then why have you voted for them?

You can’t say "no" to these things. I am for a Seventh Avenue Project but, the concept as it is now could be tweaked. 

How would you tweak it?

I talked about having an economic survey for the businesses on Fifth (Avenue), Sixth (Avenue) and Seventh (Avenue) (to see the economic impact of reconstruction). They need to increase the amount of traffic on Seventh Avenue, because 70 percent is too much. They say that they will regain a percentage of that back through pedestrian and bicycle traffic, but how many times do you see people driving down the road with on a bike? You can drive a car (to KFC) with four people; that is going to take four bicycles to replace them. I am concerned about that. 

Before, you stated that the Seventh Avenue project was a "sinister plan" to get rid of old businesses. Now that you are involved in the planning process, would you say that’s a fair characterization? 

If the concept continues the way, (yes). 

But do you feel it is a sinister plan?

It is not a good plan.

What did you mean when you explained that you wore a hat made of folded newspapers for your state of the city address to, "Deflect all negative remarks?" 

I knew that it was a controversial election even though I won every precinct through the city. I knew there would be a lot of (detractors) sitting in the audience, so therefore, I gave presentation with a lot of mirth and levity, but I have to "subscribe" to my supporters. 

You were also quoted as saying, "A lot of you don’t know anything about me. This is what you get." What did you mean by that? 

It is just the first of nine times I will be there. I’ll let them figure out the rest.

How did you get the nickname of “Snooks?”

I have had it since I was three years old. Baby Snooks was a radio personality. My class had three Allens. There was Al, Al and Snookie. A couple kids stayed with me and the name stuck. I flew in the Navy; you need a nickname. In sales, you always need, a hook. In sales, I used Snooks and they remembered me.