Fargo: Will she run again?

2009-11-24T06:10:46Z

Former Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo said she has been considering running for re-election.

In news that would be welcome to many who still call her by her honorary title, Fargo said Friday she has thought about running for the seat she lost a year ago to former NBA star Kevin Johnson.

"I have," she said. "Mainly because I'm asked all the time.

"It was clearly a great honor to be elected mayor. It was very painful, very challenging and incredibly rewarding at the same time," she said during one of her first media interviews since leaving office.

It's far too soon to say whether she will run in the 2012 mayoral election, Fargo said. However, she may want more challenge than the behind-the-scenes consulting and volunteer work she's been doing for the last year. She's never been good at taking time off, she said with a smile.

"Yes, I'd rather be mayor than what I'm doing," Fargo said in an interview on current city issues. "And obviously, I still care about the city."

A year away from elected office has left her feeling more rested than she has since being elected to the Sacramento City Council in 1989, said Fargo, 56. Multiple sclerosis has made it difficult for her to walk. But during a two-hour conversation in Midtown, Fargo laughed easily and made light-hearted comments - including some about not being mayor.

For instance, some people still aren't sure how to address Fargo after she served as mayor for eight years.

"Most people still call me mayor. And I like that. But a lot of people call me Heather. I'm okay with that, too," Fargo said. "I used to say, 'You can call me anything as long as I'm sitting in the chair.' I can't say that anymore."

People have asked her to run for state and county offices. But Fargo has not been willing to re-enter politics.

"I just wanted to spend some time not being in elected office and see," she said. "I don't want to say never, but I don't have a plan right now."

Fargo has been working as a consultant for California Forward, a political and governmental reform group. She has been working on an initiative to improve the state budget process and another that would guard local government revenue from being taken by the state.

"There are some things we can do now that can make a difference," she said. "We think what we're offering is a modest but meaningful package that will make a difference as to how California is run."

Fargo also volunteers for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and helped start a National Women's Political Caucus chapter in Sacramento.

The impact of multiple sclerosis is noticeable when she walks. Fargo, who must use a cane, moves more slowly now. She also wears an electronic medical device under her right knee to help stimulate her foot to move. The device hasn't been approved for MS patients and Fargo's insurance company refuses to cover it.

She stretches and strengthens her core regularly and does physical therapy. Fargo called the disease "frustrating," but not completely debilitating.

"The body parts you need to be mayor are a brain, a heart and a backbone," she said. "Legs are optional."

But Fargo isn't ready to say definitively whether she'll make a bid to serve in city politics again.

"I don't want to discount it out of hand," she said. "But in two years, I may want to support someone else who comes forward."

On Saturday, Fargo spoke at a memorial gathering that celebrated the life of community activist Mary Brill. Fargo has kept a watchful eye on city government. Elected officials consult her on important matters.

"I weigh in when I think it's appropriate," she said.

Fargo said she believes Johnson, her successor, is getting far less media scrutiny than she did during her tenure as mayor. She said this is partly because of the loss of experience and institutional memory that has accompanied the layoffs and departure of so many journalists from The Sacramento Bee.

Much institutional memory also has disappeared from City Hall, she said.

Fargo wouldn't comment on a congressional report, released Friday, that includes detailed information about a federal investigation of the St. Hope organization's alleged misuse of $800,000 in federal AmeriCorps grants and claims of sexual misconduct that arose against Johnson, its executive director at that time. No charges were ever filed against Johnson. The organization agreed in a civil settlement to pay back half the money.

However, Fargo did weigh in on Johnson's strong-mayor initiative. Such a change would strip City Council members of much power and control, she said.

"I think it very much devalues the City Council," Fargo said. "I think it's a very dangerous proposal. It would change how we do business in Sacramento so drastically."

Fargo said she doesn't like the veto power the mayor would have over council decisions. The mayor could veto decisions without listening to the public, she said, adding that she worked for 10 years to make city government and the council process more open to residents.

"This just seems to go 180 degrees in the other direction," she said. "It doesn't sound like Sacramento to me."

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Politics

Fargo: Will she run again?