Fair Oaks "Mayor" Doesn't Fix Potholes—But He’s All In on Making the Community a Better Place

If you've spotted a young man in a trademark fedora presiding at a local ribbon cutting, shaking hands at a charity event or chatting with village merchants, you've likely encountered the honorary mayor of Fair Oaks. No, he can't fix that pesky pothole on your street (though residents keep asking). But when it comes to championing Fair Oaks and its prospects, Noah Wright has already made history.

Wright was just 21 when he won election to the ceremonial mayor’s post back in October, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the title. Even more impressively, the college junior raised more than $45,000 during his four-month campaign—the highest fundraising total in the program's nearly five-decade history.

For Wright, though, seeking office was never about setting records.

"The honorary mayor's race is not about winning," he said. "It's about giving back to the community."

A Fair Oaks Story, Five Generations in the Making

Now 22, Wright is a proud, fifth-generation Fair Oakian. His family's commitment to public service has deep roots, and clearly left a mark on the Bella Vista graduate.

He began volunteering at age nine, spending hours sorting produce, breaking down boxes and performing assorted other tasks at the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank. He continued as an active volunteer there for the next decade.

In 2017, Wright’s community volunteerism expanded when he was appointed to serve as the community’s Junior Honorary Mayor. He has also tutored high school students and led community cleanup projects, and now serves on the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Running for mayor, however, required a different gear altogether – and in some ways, it’s surprising that Wright threw his hat in the ring.

As a self-described introvert, he found the campaign “a real stretch, and also very tiring” as he juggled work and school. “But I was very lucky to have a phenomenal team behind me, and I’m so glad I did it,” Wright said. “It's very fulfilling, because it connects you so deeply with your community, and you’re doing a good thing.”

What is an honorary mayor?

The Chamber of Commerce created the honorary mayor program in 1979 as a fun, nonpartisan way to raise money for local nonprofits while supporting the chamber's community programs. Candidates spend several months fundraising, and every dollar donated counts as a vote. Half of the money raised goes to the candidate's selected charity, with the other half supporting chamber events and community initiatives. Wright defeated local business owner Heather Ford, who raised $26,127 for her chosen charity, the Fair Oaks Rotary Foundation.

Wright opted to funnel his earnings to the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Community Foundation, which oversees the food bank, helps sponsor the annual Big Day of Service and funds other programs. His successful campaign featured everything from poker nights and Bunco tournaments to restaurant fundraisers, sponsorships and door-to-door visits to local businesses.

"I was even selling knickknacks at summer concerts," he recalled with a laugh. "Whatever needed to be done."

His catchy campaign slogan may have helped bring in some dollars: “Vote for Noah Wright and you can’t go wrong.”

So what does the honorary mayor’s job entail? For one thing, the position is strictly apolitical, and has no formal power. Rather, Wright’s responsibility is to serve as Fair Oaks’ most visible community ambassador—and its biggest cheerleader. He’s a fixture at community celebrations, ribbon cuttings, chamber mixers, and other events, promoting the town as a great place to live and do business.

Wright describes the post as "a great opportunity to meet business people and involved community members who want to see the community flourish." He also notes that some residents assume his title vests him with certain powers.

"Someone always comes up asking about the potholes or their parking ticket," he joked. "I have no control over those things.”

Looking Ahead

When he's not representing Fair Oaks, Wright is pursuing another passion: winemaking.

After two years at Sierra College, Wright will enter UC Davis this fall to study viticulture and enology. He wants to become a winemaker, saying it appeals as a profession because it “melds science, art, and working with your hands, which I love.”

Wright has already worked at several local wineries, and completed an intensive study-abroad program in France, exploring some of the world's most celebrated wine regions. His preferred varietal reflects that experience: “I’m quite partial to Burgundian Pinot Noirs,” he said.

He’s also partial to Fair Oaks. While he calls the bluffs one of his favorite go-to spots, especially for sunsets and sunrises, Wright says what he really loves about his hometown is the sense of connectedness that defines it.

"Fair Oaks is an incredibly tight-knit community,” he said. It's a wonderful, wonderful place to live and work, and I'm so glad I’ve been able to get involved and give back.

It’s a good bet his fellow Fair Oakians are glad, too.