Todd Barton is one of several Wabash men to serve their alma mater’s hometown as mayor.
Will Hays Jr. ’37 served as mayor from 1964 to 1972. He brought a distinctly personal touch to the office, writing letters that encouraged and inspired, and mentoring young people, including the state’s first female Secretary of State Sue Ann Gilroy. She says her political philosophy of “bringing as many people as you can to the table” stemmed from her days working with Hays.
Dave Gerard ’31 took the municipal reins in 1972 at the same time his Citizen Smith syndicated comic was appearing in more than 100 newspapers across the country. His experiences as mayor often found their way into the strip.
An article in Kiplinger’s Changing Times magazine wondered aloud why Gerard took the mayor’s job.
“He is 64 now, successful in his life’s work, and it might be a time for the slower pace…a season for leaving trouble to others. Yet there he is in the middle of a busy, vital life replete with puzzles, problems, and unanswered questions.”
The motivation wasn’t the money—Gerard made $12,000 as mayor. He already had some fame as a cartoonist. And a craving for power? Others had to push him into running for the office.
One of his Citizen Smith cartoons featured the hero awaking one morning and declaring, “I had a nightmare last night. I dreamt I was the mayor!”
The only answer the writer could come up with: “He believes he owes something to others and that he can pay his civic dues by serving.”