1993_05 Insight May 1993

              Page 8
Brian Setencich:T act Shot befo
Story and photographs by Eric Johnston
D
Picture and Graphics Editor
o many who saw him, he
was "that guy who is run
ning for mayor."
To others, he was Brian
Sctencich, former basket
ball player and freshman
cily councilman hoping to
be the next mayor of Fresno.
Just weeks before, he came in second behind Jim Patterson, a religious radio station
owner, ousting Karen Humphrey from her
post, aftcrmorc than adecade in city government.
All he had todo, over the course ofthe next
six weeks, was convince the voters of Fresno
to mark the spot next to his name on April 27.
His method to victory was to appeal to as
many citizens as possible, explaining how
the government represents the people, and
how he would assume responsibility.
Sctencich spoke of change in Fresno and
the need for a "back to basics" type of
government; one that was entirely responsive to the citizens of Fresno.
Perhaps the idea that Setencich held most
important in the campaign was to keep free
ofthe "payback" generally associated with
the acceptance of large contributions from
developers, including favors once elected.
Weeks before the election, he and his armada of volunteers began ringing doorbells
in the early moming hours of weekends,
answering questions, trading stories, and
perhaps even sharing a cup of coffee.
One of his staffers, Jeannie Jones, began
supporting Setencich when he first ran for
city council and recalls when city elections
would pass by, without evoking even the
slightest response.
"I am doing penance for all the years I
didn't do anything," said Jones.
Fund-raisers were staged almost every
week, with every available staffer gathering
at the Blackstone and Shaw headquarters.
One of these events, a sock-hop complete
with women in poodle skirts and men in
white tank-tops, motorcycle boots and leather
jackets, featured a performance by an Elvis
Presley impersonator, backed by a karaoke
machine.
On the final weekend before the election,
Setencich and helpers stood on the corners of
Van Ness and Olive avenues, waving to drivers which elicited honks and waves of approval. Had the election results been tallied
from support, it would have been a landslide.
Real votes did not come in as easily.
On election night, Setencich and supporters
ate, danced and cheered as results began to
come in. As the hours progressed, the outlook
became more and more bleak.
Whenever the news anchor announced the
current precinct count, a silent sigh befell the
crowd as all activity stopped. Everyone gathered around the half dozen television sets,
anxiously awaiting the count.
The candidate could not stand still, constant
pacing from one end of the headquarters to
the other guaranteed interaction among all of
his guests.
Votes were vacillating through the middle
of the evening, some with Patterson in the
lead by more than 20percent, then 20 minutes
later, that lead dwindled to a mere two percent
At 11:15. Setencich supporters began to
leave, each receiving either a handshake or
hug from the candidate. The months of work
seemed to be over, all wondered what the
results could have been with just a little more
effort, a few more doorbells rang, a few more
hands shook.
Sctencich then asked advisers when he
should begin to make the drive down to the
Holiday Inn and congratulate Patterson. Wait
a while they told him. It is not over yet.
Around 11:30, Setencich began to admit
that he was not going to be victorious, and
told the television crews how he foresaw city
hall at the hands of his opponent. Animosity
aside, he vowed to work with the man who
called his proposals "on cloud nine," and to
continue on a path to improve life in Fresno.
The clock is now ticking down forSctcncich.
With two years left on the city council, he
looks positively toward the future, despite
the fact that he will not run for another term.
Throughout the evening, Setencich payed nonchalant attention to television reports of
the precinct results, pausing only momentarily before talking with more supporters
and reporters.
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Finding a quiet place to
stop Setencich from pP<
Setencich steps outside
Relying on his 1968 Cadillac Coupe de Ville for transport, Setencich travels the town looking
for people to talk to and places to plant one of his signs.