By LEON BROWNBONE
Herald-Trib City Hall Writer
BROWNSVILLE, TX - A move is underway to declare some dog as the official Town Mascot,a source close to City Hall has told this reporter. "They haven't thought it out all the way, and there is no breed leading the pack yet," said a municipal employee who requested anonymity. "But, as we say around here, the rumor is walking the halls."
What also isn't known is which member of the City Commission is pushing the novel idea.
"It would be easy to say it's Mayor Pat Ahumada, since he's been a pro-dog backer for a few years," the source went on. "But it may or may not be him."
Brownsville's long-running search for a modern-day identity, away from the bandit border wars of the last century and the close association with Mexico, has driven more than one resident to throw ideas like this one into the wind. There's the proposal to bring a touch of New Orleans to a tourist district that, as yet, isn't there. Rumors that the city wanted to build a "Celebrity Cemetery" surfaced last month.
The search for a canine as symbol is not a common for municipalities. Most of the time it's the naming of schools and parks and streets that occupy the minds of elected city leaders. But the mayor has made stray dogs and pet shelters the cornerstone of his public service, leading some wags to both harrrrruumph and praise the proposal. Said one, a semi-attractive woman wearing a red-yellow sundress while shopping for groceries at a downtown store, "I'd go for a Lassie-type of dog, and I wouldn't want a pit bull, no. Too scary for me."
Another resident, a lanky, high-throated construction worker walking on Elizabeth Street toward a popular downtown bar, said: "I'd say the name of the dog would be the key. But leave it to these guys to name the mutt Pedro or Juan or Jose. You know, some name going to the local culture. Biff would be my name for the Town Dog. Biff, yeah. That sounds cool, don't it?"
The dog committee is said to have a meeting scheduled for next Monday, where commissioners will bat-about breeds and names. According to our source, the city is budgeting $2,600 for purchase of the dog. It would make public appearances with the mayor and march in the annual Charro Days parade.
"Someone said a dog with military experience would be the best," said a City Hall secretary. "You know, one that served with the boys in Iraq or Afghanistan. I believe we're seeking input from veterans and those kind of people. It would, of course, require a certified dog handler, an expense that would also have to be budgeted."
If approved, Brownsville would become the first city in the Rio Grande Valley with an official Town Mascot...
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5 comments:
Mr. Editor:
Not that all I do, is look at the women on side bar. I am kind of curious who the gal with the leg around the guy in black and white shoes is.
She, looks pretty damn nice. Well, all, of the women displayed on your blog are nice. Execption: Las Politiqueras.
At any rate, I must confess that at first I thought, your photographer was a flake. Being an artist myself, I find the pictures intriguing. Please don't tell me she is an employee of the Herald.
Man, what is the problem with the city of Brownsville, I would think that during a recession, umployment up the your socks, dirty streets, dirty lots, tires shops all over Southmost, used car lots, shoddy restaurants, and having the dubious distinction of being the home of (DP_M) and the international renowned 1-2-3 bar and grill.
And the Mayor, is concern about a mascot!!!! Brownsville needs HELP!!
Brownsville, doesn't need a mascot or dog mascot for that matter. Brownsvile is gone to the "DOGS."
The "wrapping leg" woman is a woman from Port Isabel known for possessing the wiles of Cleopatra. On rare occasions, she calls us...and we beat feet over to her place. Stringsless love is a wonderment, yes...- Editor
Wow, you poeple have the best job in town, meeting all these crazy women, women with afflictions, group of women, young, not so young.
How does one apply for a job?? or better still can I just drive around with your crew!!!
Isabel,!!! oh, my Dearest Isabel!!!
Ops, back to reality, my compliments to your photographer. He does have the best job in town.
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