PERSONA The Man Behind the Mayor While inadvertently learning to be comfortable as a leader of baseball and basketball varsity teams, or in his role as Valedictorian of his class at the University of San Francisco, becoming a politician never occurred to the charming and energetic Dennis Donohue, Mayor of Salinas. Summer 2008

BARBRA ALEXANDER

He saw himself more as the captain of a high-tech company. Or, while obtaining an advanced degree in Religious Education, perhaps as the spiritual head of a distinctive, metropolitan parish.

It’s equally unlikely that he pictured himself married to the proverbial farmer’s daughter, using his sales talents in a variety of agricultural businesses. But, alas he and his wife, Paula, a teacher at Harden Middle School, celebrated their 25th anniversary on June 11th of this year.

Their daughter Emily, who at the moment works in produce, loves to travel, has taken a semester of courses at Oxford, and is planning to study in India. Meanwhile, their son Allan is now headed for the Navy and will begin his military career studying at the Defense Language Institute, after earning a degree in business administration earlier this June

Considering his lack of interest in the produce industry and his vacillation over whether or not to become a priest, Donohue’s decision to marry and raise a family won the inner battle mainly due to the “indelible mark Salinas had made on his soul” during his formative years. Though he continues to appreciate and enjoy his faith because he sees it as one of the “key elements to who he is,” somewhere during that process he also came to understand that “perhaps faith doesn’t make any sense unless you can live it out through your daily routine.”

Donohue credits his wife with having the “patience of Job” by allowing him the freedom to pursue his various career interests more or less at will. That meant he wasn’t home much — something he says he would never have done if “home and children would have suffered by his many absences.” It also meant that he was able to conduct his business efforts globally, making him a two-million-mile American Airline flyer.

It seems that Donohue has been working for the betterment of Salinas since he took the helm at European Vegetable Specialties. The interesting part is that he did it right. Not by protest or opposition but rather, through a systematic rise in public visibility through his efforts on everything from volunteering for the Steering Committee for Rally Salinas, to his political appointment, and work on the Planning Commission; as well as participating as a Director on a veritable plethora of Civic Boards. That said, he does have a penchant for rising to the top in all of his endeavors; once he set foot into the political arena it made perfect sense that he would eventually arrive at the pinnacle position of his chosen city.

Salinas has many challenges for its newest Mayor but he’s up to it and well prepared. Speaking at the third annual faith luncheon he told the audience that he likened the city to the story of David and Goliath, which, in this case, means a collection of gang-related social difficulties. Additionally the growing city is faced with upgrades and changes unlike any that were faced by previous leaders.

Donohue’s vision is included in the title of his weekly radio broadcast “Imagine a Great City.” He is amazingly approachable to constituents as long as they are willing to talk through whatever problem occupies their minds. If they’re willing to discuss a challenge, it can be solved. When asked recently if he wants to go to the state legislature after being a Mayor, his answer clearly exemplifies his working style and enthusiasm for his current job: “Why should I take a demotion?” °