PAST RAMONA HONORARY MAYORS
Mary Kay Pinkard 1984-1986
John T. Fansher 1986-1988
Tony Lama Llama 1988-1990
(Honorary Deputy Mayor) Woody Kirkman 1988-1990
Chuck Apgar 1990-1992
Darrell Beck 1992-1994
Ellie Whitcomb 1996-2000
Dave Patterson 2000-2002
Sharon Quisenberry 2002-2004
Sharon Davis 2009-2017
John Degenfelder 2018 – 2024
Tim Connelly 2024 – present
The Honorary Mayor Contest is the official fundraiser of the Ramona Town Hall, and was first conceived and sponsored by the Ramona Sentinel in 1984. The funds raised from the contest help with unrestricted expenses, such as insurance, water, electricity, restoration etc.. Candidates “earn” one vote for each dollar they raise for the Town Hall. Unlike a “normal” election, there is no limit to how many “votes” you can cast nor how many candidates you can vote for. The candidate with the most “votes” wins a two year term to carry the title of “Honorary Mayor,” a position that carries no official power, but the responsibility to represent the town as an ambassador of goodwill.
Nominations Now Open!
Send your nominee’s name and contact information by March 1, 2026 to:
Honorary Mayor Committee POBox 1954 Ramona CA 92065 or to our facebook page, ASAP.
Mayoral Duties
1. Promote the Ramona Town Hall
2. Promote Ramona
3. Attend community events, ceremonies, ribbon cuttings, etc.
4. Chair the Town Hall Fundraising Committee
The Honorary Mayor is encouraged (but not required,) to attend local and regional events in the capacity of “Community Ambassador.” The Ramona Chamber of Commerce will assist the mayor and make suggestions as to events to attend. The Mayor may also make decisions to attend county or state events at will.
Mayor Contest Guidelines
Each dollar collected and turned in by June 30th at 11:59 pm (in election years,) to the Ramona Town Hall equals one vote. The candidate with the most votes (dollars) wins the “election.”
Each candidate is encouraged to keep a record of dollars collected and turned in. It is suggested to photocopy checks for your records and (if you please,) send thank you cards or letters for large donations. The Honorary Mayor Committee can provide a “Thank You” form letter for this use.
Each candidate is encouraged to form a letter of request for dollars by explaining why you want to be mayor (what is your platform?) and why you are interested in preserving and renovating the Ramona Town Hall. The candidates can also get creative holding “mini-fundraisers” such as jellybean counting contests, etc.
The contest is meant to have fun while collecting dollars to help pay for ongoing expenses of the Town Hall (utilities, insurance and maintenance). Some dollars also go toward actual restoration.
What is your platform? This can make it more fun by declaring some ridiculous platform such as seeking to rid the town of flies; abolishing the IRS; starting your own government; printing your own money; diverting traffic, etc.
Official Contest Rules
All proceeds benefit the Ramona Town Hall, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization restoring & preserving Ramona’s historic Town Hall.
Candidates must have the following qualifications:
- Must be a living, human, Ramona resident
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Must be able to serve a two-year term
- Must be able to:
- Shake hands
- Kiss babies
- Cut ribbons
- Swat flies
- Rub elbows with the rich and famous
- Speak tall “truths” about Ramona, and be bought for $1 per vote!
- All “Votes” must turned in by June 30th at 11:59 pm (in election years,) to the Ramona Town Hall
Sharon Davis
Ramona’s Honorary Mayor, 2009 – 2017