Shot taken at the Lysakov Gallery in Pacific Grove - 65° Magazine

PERSONA 60
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?” °
Putting on the Dog
Photography by D.M. Troutman
Todd Harris of Suds ‘N Scissors
PRESENTED BY SUDS ’N SCISSORS
SPECIAL 61