My Appearance on Anderson Cooper 360

A lot of you around town are giving me grief about me recent appearance on AC360. Look folks, I don't really watch the national debates. I have enough problems of my own to deal with here in town (you think running unopposed takes the pressure off? I can assure you it does not!). So I was not ready for Mr. Cooper's "gotcha" question about all this binder stuff. Here is a little taste:

RIP, Andy Williams

Mr. Williams was always very nice to me.  I first met him many, many years ago -- and as you can see from this campaign video, he figured prominantly when my ex-wife tried to use his name against me in the last election -- she was kind of mad about the way I... oh, forget it, this post is about Mr. Williams. But it really wasn't fair of her to release that personal video. Anyway, like I was saying -- with Mr. Williams, it was always "the most wonderful time of the year"! Unlike with my ex-wife, as you can see in the video. But I digress. God Bless Verne, and God Bless America.

My Meeting With the President

The good folks up in Oskaloosa hosted me the other day, because the president was coming to town, and they needed a few dignitaries to sit in the second row (the first row was taken up by "people of importance", which means "people most likely to show up at council meetings and complain about their lousy seats").  I've got to say two things about President Obama: 1) the man knows when to wear a tie and when to go without (I was wearing a tie the whole time out of respect, but I could have taken it off, as it was hotter than blazes out there), and 2) he's got a good firm handshake and he looks you in the eye. I tend to be afraid I'm going to squeeze too hard, and to shift my eyes away from anyone I think might ask me a direct question. So I'm going to work on that, and study this tape I was lucky enough to shoot. God Bless Verne, and God Bless America.

My Big-Time, Donor-Supported, Brand-tastic, Red-White-and-Blue Campaign Ad

I love asking people for donations.  Why?  Because I believe in the cause I'm fighting for. And there's nothing better than getting the word out with a big, expensive campaign ad. So, when a big-time donor (who wishes to remain anonymous) came to me with a script for a campaign ad and the means to produce it, I couldn't say no. Here's the result -- I think you'll agree, it's as all-American as me.  God Bless Verne, and God Bless America.

Let's Look Back to Move Forward

Hey Folks -- now that the campaign is heating up, it's good to think back -- way back -- to my first election.  I was just a fresh-faced former tv personality turned real estate developer, who wanted to do some good for his home town.  How far I've come!  Here's a clip from a special Barbara Walters produced called "Home Town Heroes".  God Bless Verne, and God Bless America.

Back To School! A Message from the Mayor!

Well, it's time for the kids to head back to school, and Bonnie has showed me how to share this video with you. Enjoy my back-to-school message, and try not to get on the bad side of a bus driver.



God Bless Verne, and God Bless America.

How d'ya Like Me Now!!

Oh, everybody said I was finished. But check out the show I'm doing from Mr. Quinn's living room, and you will see I am very much still cooking! And you can believe when election season rolls around, I'll be right back in the thick of things here in Verne!

Until then, keep watching these pages for my updates and opinions. As a great man once said, "I'm back, baaaaabyyyyy!!"

God Bless Verne, and God Bless America.

URGENT UPDATE ON THE MAYOR'S CONDITION!

There's been a lot of renewed traffic on the mayor's website recently -- I guess folks get kind of nostalgic when someone's been gone awhile -- so I thought I would report some BIG NEWS from the Mayor's hospital room:

It's the first day of Spring today!

And while this doesn't mean he'll be out of his coma tomorrow and back to his duties at Town Hall, it is a wonderful and positive thing!

In the meantime, Joe Browning has been doing a wonderful job standing in for the Mayor, but let's all keep in mind that Joe still hasn't accepted the job full time (see his post below)!

So to the person who sent that one card back in February, keep those cards and letters coming! And if you've already forgotton how we got to this point, go back and look at our weekly updates from the campaign.

Bonnie Yoder
Acting Mayor's Secretary

God Bless Verne, and God Bless America!

NOT FUNNY, MARCINE!

BONNIE SAYS: Why can't some people just leave well enough alone?! The Mayor's ex wife, Marcine St. John, has been circulating the above photo of the mayor around town. Land sakes, let the man be in a coma in peace Marcine!

God Bless Verne, and God Bless America.

A MESSAGE FROM JOE BROWNING

After all the excitement last week, I know a lot of you citizens of Verne are wondering what's happening with the Mayor's Office. If you saw our last Weekly Update, you know that Danforth Quinn is better at evaluating tax forms than he is at evaluating someone's medical condition!

Right after the election, I took a week off to go far away and visit my uncle and his family, help him with a little work on his house, and clear my head. When I got back, I found things pretty much as I left them: I'm the acting Mayor, Bonnie is still running day-to-day operations here at Town Hall, and Mr. Quinn is working on the 2009 budget.

This was not my plan when I asked some of you to write in my name. We have averted Mr. Blank's scheme for a new mall/megastore, but I have other plans which don't necessarily include serving as your Mayor. Right now, the most I can promise is that I'll be here until a suitable replacement can be found, or the Mayor comes out of his coma, whichever comes first.

Until then, please keep checking this blog, and the Mayor's website for more details. As he used to say...

God Bless Verne, and God Bless America.