Where's Bubba?

Fresno's mayor says he doesn't need to be at City Hall to do his job; others disagree.

Published online on Monday, Sep. 10, 2007

Where's the mayor?

Don't look for Alan Autry at Fresno City Hall. He's usually out of the office.

Autry, who is paid $100,000 a year, spends most workdays in his north Fresno neighborhood -- at the local Starbucks, Gold's Gym or his house.

Autry bristles when asked how he spends his time, but readily admits staying away from City Hall. In fact, he's proud of his unorthodox style. He says he works 12 to 14 hours a day, using cell phones and fax machines to lead the city without being downtown.

"Sitting behind a desk, giving the illusion of doing the people's work, is like trying to win the Indianapolis 500 in a covered wagon," said Autry, a former actor and professional football player who has portrayed himself as a nontraditional politician since his first run for mayor.

This attitude, however, rubs some civic leaders the wrong way. Interviews with a range of political, government and business leaders in Fresno showed little support for his management style. Some critics said it has weakened his relationships with other city leaders and undermined his ability to achieve his goals -- though few could point to specific failures attributable to his absence.

"When I want to meet with him, I have to go to Starbucks on Fort Washington and Friant," said City Council Member Mike Dages, who represents southeast Fresno. "I think the mayor should manage City Hall by being present."

The mayor often misses meetings outside City Hall as well, many say. While he worked hard to get Donald Trump to buy the Running Horse golf course, he rarely shows up when lesser-known developers are interested in Fresno, said Steve Geil, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corp. serving Fresno County.

Some developers and business leaders have decided not to locate in Fresno in part because Autry didn't meet them, Geil said.

"The mayor is the one person who can make or break a deal," he said. "In exit interviews, employers tell us that in the competitive cities, the mayor is at the table."

Autry's insistence on having a deputy mayor -- a position he created in his first term -- has added to the perception that he's not fully committed.

Jerry Duncan, the only council member to offer unqualified support for Autry, said Fresno has improved under his leadership, with crime and unemployment going down, and the Fire Department and other critical services expanding. Duncan represents northeast Fresno, where the mayor lives and spends much of his time.

"Where you are physically isn't as important as performance," Duncan said. "I don't think anyone would deny that the city is a better place than it was 6 1/2 years ago."

Autry's responsibilities are spelled out in the City Charter. The charter was amended by voters in 1993 after a group of civic leaders wanted to reduce rancor in city government by switching from a city-manager form to a strong-mayor system in which the mayor would provide "decisive leadership," according to the group's report.

Once essentially a member of the City Council, the mayor can now hire and fire the city manager, veto legislation approved by the council, and submit annual budgets for council approval. The city manager runs the city's day-to-day operations. Autry says that's one reason he doesn't spend more time at City Hall -- to avoid interfering with City Manager Andy Souza.

"The best use of my time isn't to sit here and look over Andy Souza's shoulder and tell him what to do," Autry said. "It's to set a vision and have a city manager to implement that vision."