In 1925, Berne was elected to the Fèves city council. He held that position until Lorraine was again annexed to Germany in July 1940. He and most of the other citizens were then expelled and sent to the southwestern part of France under the nominal control of the Vichy government headed by Marshal Philippe Pétain. These former residents of Lorraine lived in or near the village of Lavaur in the Tarn District east of Toulouse.

In 1945, some months after Fèves was liberated, most of its displaced citizens returned to their former home in Lorraine. Berne was elected mayor.

Late in 1948, after Morganville chose Fèves as its sister city and presented a pageant to raise money, the village began shipping items to the French village. The Fèves community established a committee to handle their relationship with her American sister. The three committee members were schoolmaster Henri Torlotting, village priest Louis Holveck and Mayor Auguste Berne.

Todd visited Fèves late that same year and met with the committee members. In a December 8, 1948 letter to Velma Carson written from Geneva, Switzerland, Todd wrote of Berne:

August Berne, Le Maire. He is exactly what a French Mayor should be, but don’t count on too much from him beyond good will. Here again, you can refer to my drinking habits, and assure him that his Mirabelle was the best I ever had. (I realize my comments are making it impossible to show my letters to fellow Kansans, but one obviously can't drink French water.)

Todd's comments may need some clarification for an American. Unlike many mayors in the United States, French mayors tend to be nonpartisan representatives of the community as a whole. As a result, they remain above conflict. Consequently, decisions are typically taken by others assigned such tasks.

The later sentences in the quote refer to the potent plum brandy made in the region - a product of some substantial local pride. Since Kansas was a "dry" state in 1948 - meaning the drinking of alcohol was illegal - Todd was suggesting that his drinking might not be appreciated in Kansas.

Auguste Berne died from a heart attack on November 28, 1951. How he was regarded by the townspeople can be seen in the following words from his death announcement:

He was very popular. The deceased was sympathetically known and esteemed in the village and surrounding territory. He loved his native land and left taking the regards of those to whom he ministered. All were his friends.

Emile Pierson, Berne's primary deputy, then became mayor until the next election.