Mayor for a Day!

Ready for some civilized politics where the candidates respect each other, prefer compliments over name-calling and put community over ego? Then you’re ready for Pioneer Days’ Mayor for a Day.

This year there are three women running for the coveted holiday gig. That’s a first for the contest where every vote means cash for local charitable organizations. The candidates distribute collection boxes all over town, share their cause on social media, speak to organizations and hold events to raise money at $1 a vote. The winner is announced at the Cardboard Boat Race on September 1. She gets to donate 100% of the money she’s collected to her charity. The runners-up donate 75% of their dollars and the remaining 25% is distributed to other area charities by the Pioneer Days Committee. 

The winner’s duties include awarding the Mayor’s Trophy at the boat race and car shows, and of course, riding in the Pioneer Days Parade. Oh, and there’s a sash. 

But first, all three had to negotiate the first of two Mayor for a Day debates, held August 22 at Howard’s Restaurant. 

Bobbi Sue Burton is representing Project Phoenix, the non-profit she founded with Bill Werner, where Burton dedicates her time to help struggling families and individuals get back on their feet. She arrived at Howard’s wearing a red, white and blue shirt, Statue of Liberty leggings, red suede booties, and a homemade Liberty crown. Running a non-profit, a weekly community meal and the Project Phoenix store, Burton threw her crown in the ring at “the last minute,” because she said she’s a fan of the tradition and knew it would be fun. 

“I didn’t know there were debates,” said Marg Greeson as she relaxed before the debate. Greeson said that her friends and partner talked her into running three weeks ago. Greeson is an active community volunteer; Eagle, Elk and Moose. “I’m all the animals,” she joked. She is also all about the animals, representing the Suncoast Humane Society. “Most people we know are animal lovers,” said Greeson, whose own dogs, Buddy and Henry, star in a series of short and amusing videos Greeson made to promote her campaign. 

Greeson had a fan club of staff and volunteers from the SHS at Howard’s to cheer her on. “It’s just so exciting and generous,” said Jacqueline Elliott, director of community relations and volunteer services. “It’s nice that she thinks so much of the organization.” 

Sarah Whitten-Grigsby serves as chaplain and public information officer for the all-volunteer Peace River K-9 Search and Rescue, which is based in Englewood, and was out in force to support their candidate. She also runs her own hospice placement service for homeless animals. She was the first one to announce her intentions back in June. “I had a lot of coffee and said that sounds like fun.” A former “Snowdrop Queen” and “Peony Princess,” Whitten-Grigsby is no stranger to parades or sashes. 

Chris Phelps, Pioneer Days Committee Chair, welcomed the candidates who appeared relaxed and upbeat as panelists Chris Porter, Sherrie Cook, Jeff Joyce and The Beach Guy asked them a series of mostly light-hearted questions in a format that is more Q&A than debate. Moderator Jeannie Joyce also took questions from the audience. “What is your favorite place in Englewood?” “Who is your favorite singer?” “If you were a character from “Gilligan’s Island” who would you be?” “Do you believe in aliens?” All three agreed on one question; chocolate milk is better than regular milk.

Greeson got the biggest laugh of the night from the packed room, when the candidates were asked to name their hero and she replied, “Amelia… what’s her name.” 

There were some tougher questions. When asked, “If you received a grant for $1 million for Englewood, what would you spend it on?” Two of the women replied they would fight red tide. And when asked, “Twenty years from now what is your vision for Englewood?” Both Greeson and Whitten-Gribsby said they would like to see development slow down so Englewood could recapture that small-town feeling.
Burton said her wish was for a “real community center” where people could get services and resources they need at no charge. 

Phelps reminded the crowd that Mayor for a Day is really Mayor for a year, as the winner won’t surrender her sash until Pioneer Days 2019. And it was announced that, in a break from tradition, all three candidates would get to ride in Monday’s parade. 

None of the candidates seemed at all concerned about how well they did. They were mostly focused on how to raise as much money as possible for their agencies in the last week of the campaign. Burton probably put it best, “A vote for every one of us is a vote for Englewood.” 

For biographies of the candidates and information on their causes, and to vote for Mayor for a Day, visit englewoodpioneerdays.com and open Mayor for a Day under EVENTS. You can also vote at collection points around Englewood.