Doug Vagim has experience; he needs hype

Candidate says he's in best position to make smart, steady moves.

Published online on Friday, Apr. 18, 2008

Doug Vagim joined the race for mayor because he felt three things set him apart from the other candidates.

"I'm the only one who is not too young, not too inexperienced or not too spend-happy," Vagim said. "I believe I have the experience to be mayor, because representing a large part of the city as a county supervisor, I worked on many common issues."

Vagim believes Fresno is on the edge of a financial crisis, and tightening the budget would be a priority for him from Day One.

"If runaway spending and mounting debt continue, the quality of life here will be drastically affected," Vagim said. "Reducing the city's debt is a most important act to ensure future generations won't be strapped with a huge bill."

Vagim also said the city has grown without a readily identifiable plan for the future.

"There have been some real snafus we've wound up with, like Running Horse," Vagim said. "I'm concerned that on the government side of the city, they aren't asking the right questions before these projects begin. Number one should be 'Do you have the money to finish it?' "

Vagim was the last candidate to announce his campaign for mayor and knows that his timing may have hurt him. Most of the other candidates had been campaigning for months by then.

"I don't know anyone who brings in more experience, however," Vagim said. "Every job I've ever tackled has been a success."

Tom Holyoke, an assistant professor of political science at California State University, Fresno, said that to succeed, Vagim has to increase his name recognition.

"I know so little about him," Holyoke said. "He's more serious than the bottom tier of candidates, but unknown. At the local level, name recognition is very big."

Vagim believes he can reach out to every voter. He believes his time on the county board and his involvement with numerous local nonprofit groups, from tennis to historical societies, will be his strength as he campaigns.

"I love this city," Vagim said. "I've already served in so many ways. I'm ready now to hit the road running as mayor, and move this city in the right direction."

Vagim said that while it's exciting to see so many people interested in becoming mayor, he believes he is the top candidate.

"We have some bright, young people in the race," Vagim said. "Their time will come. But I have the experience, and the hands-on leadership skills they may lack. I believe it's my time now."