If any story has dominated the news in the last 20 months, it can be summed-up in one word: Mandeville.

                  It started with alleged misuse of a Police Department benevolent fund, evolved into accusations of perjury against the longtime mayor, and culminated in a state audit that showed financial improprieties. Along the way, sideline events included an apparent drunk-driving incident or two, some fired Causeway officials, a failed recall effort, a state indictment, and stories of a long-ago DWI by … shall we say, a “prominent elected official.”  For a while, it was impossible to pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV without seeing an “update” – often a rehashing of the situation from start to finish with a new detail or two thrown in.

                  And now… it’s over.  Sort of.

                  When former Mayor Eddie Price entered a plea of “guilty” to federal tax evasion charges and resigned his position in October, it was a turning point for the city. The news media could still skewer Price at whim – and has, and will – but now he is “former Mayor Eddie Price,” a distinction that changes everything.

                  In the short term, the City Council had the onerous task of appointing an interim mayor within 10 days of Price’s resignation – a process not so smooth itself, but one which concluded with the selection of Edward “Bubby” Lyons as interim mayor.  In the request for applications, the Council asked that those seeking the position would pledge not to run in the special election to replace Price, a request the seasoned Lyons gladly honored.  “I had no intention of running,” said Lyons.  “For one thing, the age factor will catch up with me.  I’m 80 years old.”

                  And those 80 years have included a lot of political experience, including stints as Mayor of Houma and Terrebonne Parish President.  He also served as a temporary Mandeville City Council member in 2000, filling an unexpired term until losing in a special election.  “I chose to do this because I thought I could help,” Lyons said. “I think I’m the most qualified.”

                  Qualifications notwithstanding, Lyons was chosen in the second round of Council voting over another candidate favored by Council President Trilby Lenfant.  But the outcome wasn’t embittering.  “I look forward to working with him, having dialogue about the issues involving the city, and looking at how we move forward,” Lenfant said.

                  Among those issues are two that have been central to the brouhaha: the status of the city Police Department and the process by which consulting contracts are awarded.

                  Lenfant opposes the appointment of a full-time chief of police to replace Acting Chief Ron Ruple, who has led the force since the “forced” retirement of longtime Chief Tom Buell last year.  Arguing that it would be unfair to appoint a chief who could be out of a job after voters choose a new mayor in March 2010, Lenfant thinks it can wait.  On the flipside, Lyons thinks it is unfair to Ruple for him to remain in “acting” status for so long.  (Note: Because he is a Civil Service employee and forbidden to comment on political matters, Ruple was not contacted for this story.)

                  Lyons was initially gung-ho to move forward with that appointment, among other things. “I’m the caretaker, so to speak,” Lyons said. “Still and all, I’ve assumed the office of mayor and I intend to be the mayor.”

                  Nonetheless, Lyons has capitulated a bit, suggesting now that the police chief selection process may take longer than he initially planned.  “We’re working on the qualifications and getting the Council to approve those qualifications,” the mayor said.  “If it’s not feasible to get it done prior to the election, it would be unwise to appoint someone in the waning days of this administration.”

                  The other proverbial 800-pound gorilla in the Council Chambers is the process by which city consulting contracts are awarded – a matter not overlooked by state auditors or by the media, which found multimillion-dollar contracts awarded to vendors who took Price and others on expensive golf trips and the like.  Lenfant wants to establish a clear procedure for vetting all contracts to prevent such situations from arising again; Lyons has been more circumspect, examining contracts one at a time before plunging into the waters of a “process.”

                  “We’re looking at contracts and how far along we are with those contracts,” Lyons said. “We have ongoing projects.  We’re analyzing that.”

                  But despite the conflicts – perhaps more accurately described as differences of opinion – the tenor and tone at City Hall is decidedly more positive.  “We may have disagreements, which is the very nature of the executive and legislative branches,” Lyons said. “I appreciate what they do and I intend to be able to work with them.”

                  Indeed, it’s not personal.  “Issues are issues and people are people,” Lenfant said. “I always try to separate the two.” Lenfant, in fact, is far more inclined to talk about what the city is doing now, rather than where it has recently been.  “We have a resurgence in historic preservation,” she said. “We’re going to see the city refocusing on those efforts.

                  The City is also exploring hiring an economic development director.  “We created the Town Center and the (Tammany Trace) Trailhead years ago, but it has never reached its full potential,” she said. “We have $2 million set aside to buy property at the Trailhead. I think now we’ll see some movement on that.”

                  Then there are projects to establish uniformity on the Lakefront with a master plan, rebuilding the playground at the Mandeville Harbor with components for “creative play” instead of, or in addition to, traditional swings and sliding boards, streets projects, drainage projects, and all the other ancillaries that make a city function.  They never stopped, really; they just slowed down or got lost in the noise surrounding the other unpleasantness.

                  “From a basic services standpoint, the city continued to function and there are a lot of people who made that happen.  We’re dealing with so many things,” Lyons said. “The first thing was to settle things down. Everything is going smoothly and I’m very impressed with the staff.”

                  But while day-to-day operations continued, it was not a rose garden – not that public servants are ever promised one.  “It has been very difficult,” Lenfant said.  “I think the distractions have slowed the city down. Now we have an opportunity to refocus and move forward. At least now we are in a position to look to the future. It was very hard to advance our vision. We can rise above that now and begin to refocus.”

                  Is there a silver lining? “It (the scandal) has allowed us to take steps towards reform measures,” Lenfant said. “We’re going to be better for that.  It has opened that door and it has engaged the public.  Things at City Hall are very different now.”

                  As for Lyons, he takes his position seriously, recognizing its very temporary status.  Six months isn’t a long time to leave a legacy.  “I have a good reputation if you check my past record,” Lyons said.  “When I leave, I want them to say, ‘He came in during difficult times and did a good, honest, reliable job.’”