Broad Ripple set to elect a mayor, kind of

They want to fix the potholes around town. They say they will be tireless advocates for local bars and shops. And, if they get a chance, they just might enact some eye-opening laws.

In reality, they can't.

But they can boast something most people can't. They can call themselves mayor – of Broad Ripple, no less.

This beloved area of Indianapolis will elect a mayor June 14. The title will mean little more than a key to the village, a few gift cards and a VIP pass that gets the victor (plus one) into all the bars and restaurants with no wait or cover charge, but it's a definite bragging right.

Plenty of people in the history of Broad Ripple have served as self-proclaimed mayors. There is Greg, the guy who calls himself mayor now, who roams about taking photos.

There was D. William Brink who died in 2011. The title of his obituary read "D William 'Mayor of Broad Ripple' Brink."

But this time, the area is making it official with an election night on the outdoor decks of Sabbatical and Triton Tap, both on Broad Ripple Avenue. There will be a mayoral debate starting at 7 p.m. followed by the casting of votes.

"There are people who self-label themselves the mayor of Broad Ripple," said Daniel Samons, owner of Ripple Effect Social Magazine, which is organizing the event. "We thought, 'Let's make it official and have an election.' "

The magazine's callout for nominations resulted in more than 200. Those were narrowed down to four: Chez Roberts, Daniel Barry, John DeFosse and Josh Emmans.

It's up in the air whether Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard will recognize the winner.

When asked, Ballard's spokesman Marc Lotter did a good job of circling around the question.

"Mayor Ballard often runs into his fellow Mayors of the Coke Lot (at Indianapolis Motor Speedway), Wanamaker, Haughville and others," Lotter said in an email, "and he always enjoys hearing their insight about what is happening in their area."

That's OK. These guys will be glad to fill Ballard in. They're in the heat of campaigning time with less than two weeks to go.

"They're probably out shaking hands and kissing babies," said Samons.

Not exactly. A couple of them are handing out buttons and fliers.

Take Barry, 24, who works in turf management for Circle City Outdoors. He's asked businesses if he can hang up his fliers. The business owners have mostly obliged.

On those fliers, he talks about being a people person and how he'd like more people to frequent Broad Ripple's eclectic mix of shops.

Barry, who lives at 65th Street and Keystone, even promotes those businesses on his social media pages.

"Those business owners work hard," he said. "I'm always trying to help them out."

As for being named mayor? That would be the ultimate honor, Barry said.

"I just think Broad Ripple is a cool little town," he said. "If you get to know one person, you get to know everybody."

One of his opponents, Emmans, 34, wholeheartedly agrees. But he is taking the campaign even more seriously.

"I used to be known in Indianapolis as Mr. Broad Ripple from just knowing everyone and being out so much," said Emmans, who works at Angie's List. "I am probably the best candidate, but I am not sure I want the responsibility."

He wants the title to mean something. He wants to be able to enact changes.

Emmans wants more powerful policing. He wants bar bouncers to go through training. He wants a safer Broad Ripple.

"I miss old Ripple," he said. "This is not the Ripple I used to love. If I can change that, then I will run."

Samons says the debate will likely be lighthearted. There will be funny questions posed to the candidates, although each will get a chance to give a short speech.

And at the end of the night, around 9:30 p.m., a winner will be declared.

If you want to cast a vote, just show up. There is no absentee voting. You must be present to cast a ballot.

Call Star reporter Dana Hunsinger Benbow at (317) 444-6012. Follow her on Twitter:@danabenbow.