The balloons have all deflated now, the banners rolled up and the confetti swept away.
Campaign 2005 is now mostly a memory, with the exception of the lawyers and ballot counters still toiling over the last few votes in the race for County Executive.
But for the most part it’s safe to say that the voters have spoken in favor of Mayor-Elect Joe Sinnott and (barring a court challenge) County Executive-Elect Mark DiVecchio.
Campaigning is hard work, but for these two the real work is just beginning.
It’s no secret to anyone following Erie news that the new Mayor has a craterous financial hole from which to climb.
The new budget will in all likelihood be some eight million dollars lighter than recent years past, and there are few options left that avoid more layoffs and cutbacks.
That’s particularly difficult for a new administrator who garnered much of his political clout from firefighters and other city workers who supported him hoping for a break from the wrecking ball.
There may be none to give.
The task is no less daunting for the new County Executive.
There’s the library branch issue to sort through, and the recently passed bond issue with the various projects funded there.
There’s also the desire to keep some of the economic stimulus initiatives going, but they can cost money at a time when few full pots are lying around.
The Office of Children and Youth is undergoing a post-scandal restructuring still not fully in place.
And what of this on-going request from Mountaineer Gaming to have public money foot the bill for some infrastructure costs for a new racetrack and slots project?
All of this is up against a backdrop where the vast majority of county funds are dedicated to mandated services leaving an Executive with few options when it comes to allocating scant discretionary funding.
Real work, indeed.
Campaigning is hard work, but running an efficient, cost effective government is harder.
And while it’s nice to bask in the warm glow of a popular vote victory, what remains the morning after is often more daunting and tedious than shaking hands, eating rubber chicken dinners or knocking on doors.
You probably wouldn’t say that either of these men are electrifying, engaging campaigners, there are no Bill Clinton’s here.
But we don’t need a showboat captain or cheerleader now. A steady hand to steer through choppy waters will get us much further in the four challenging years to come.