Moooove over, April's in the running!
Orcas Islanders are serious participants in the fund-raising Campaign for Mayor as they horse-trade their votes to see who truly is the cat’s meow. But for those who think this campaign is going to the dogs, consider ALL the candidates for this auspicious position.
The Eastsound Mayoral Race is a fundraiser sponsored by and benefiting Orcas Island Children’s House (OICH), a childhood early-learning center supporting island families for more than 40 years. This year’s candidates include canines Pogo, Oliver, Paycey and Grace, feline Ember and OICH’s own bunny, Pearl Boy. Additionally running as a write-in vote is bovine April.
APRIL
A late addition to the race, write-in candidate April is a Brown Swiss and sponsored by Trading Co. (The proud American has posted at her stall pedigree papers for those requiring “prooof.”)
April was adopted as a calf by two young sisters from the San Juan County Fair many moooons ago. Throughout her life she has cultivated a strong bond with children at the education hub of Eastsound. “I have a steak in this race! I love little bipeds.” As the only write-in candidate, April threw her horn in the ring late because her followers were “bellowing for me to run” and she could not in good “cowscience” ignore them. She is udderly confident she’ll win the youth vote and is running as an early-education advocate but adds, “Hay, I’m also a green candidate.”
Candidates for Eastound Mayor, buy your vote and support Children's House!
PAYCEY
The Papillion rescue dog, originally from Kent, Wash., is sponsored by Island Irrigation and Kaleidoscope Preschool and Childcare Center.
Paycey passionately supports youth sports, the dog park, the senior center, coffee, golfing, the gardening club (he loves to stop and smell the flowers) and of course education! He’s full of ambition and determined to raise money (and votes) for Children’s House! After being elected the Mayor Of Eastsound, he wants to go on to compete in the Orcas Idol, where he feels he can fully showcase his “singing voice.”
PEARL BOY
This clever, hip bunny is a native of Orcas Island and resides on Pea Patch Lane at Children’s House. He is sponsored by the kids of Orcas Island Children’s House.
An environmental advocate, Pearl Boy believes in protecting our green spaces to ensure our island children will always have a place to play in natural places, to run with the deer and hop with the bunnies.
When he isn’t working, the teachers, parents and staff of Children’s House say he knows how to let his ears down.
POGO
This mixed-breed canine cutie is sponsored by Orcas Village Store.
Pogo likes people and has never met anyone he doesn’t want to know better and claims to have the fastest wagging tale on the West Coast. He seriously considered a job as a doorman, until the opportunity to run for Mayor of Eastsound came along. Now he feels he can provide a service to the community.
Win Rhodes, Pogo’s “handler” and best friend says, “When Pogo isn’t working he is an athlete. He likes to run. He runs in front of my car up White Beach Road at speeds of 15 MPH – though not for long. He is a ‘rescue dog,’ and came with the name Pogo, which I believe describes his joyful leaps through the weeds or chasing a ball. He is a joyful fellow.”
EMBER
A mixed-breed feline, Ember was orphaned at an early age and began her career as a rat catcher in a hard-scrabble Seattle neighborhood. She is sponsored by The McKenney/Wolf Family.
Ember likes to lead by example. When asked how we will benefit from her leadership. Ember said: “I’ll solve the fresh water shortage by teaching you to lick yourselves clean,” and noted she’s the only candidate on the slate with extensive foreign policy experience. ”I may not be able to see Russia from my back porch,” she said, “ but I can sure see Lopez Island, and if those people aren’t communists I don’t know who is!
Campaign manager Cindy Wolf commented Ember “doesn’t do downtime. She likes to be hunting, eating or clawing her cardboard box.”
OLIVER
A mixed breed canine, Oliver is known to be loyal, kind and devoted to his family. He is sponsored by: Christian and Megan Heisinger.
Though he is very serious about his work, like many islanders, he has a profound need for recreation and enjoys hiking and running. He expresses concerns with inter-species access issues and hopes to see a doggy-restaurant in Eastsound much like the one in Seattle where dogs and their human companions can break bread together. Last but certainly not least, Oliver loves children, and would like to see more recreation spots for the smaller kids. He has heard that Moran State Park and the Funhouse are each considering putting in play structures for the 0-7 year old crowd and heartily supports their efforts.
GRACE
The Rhodesian/Lab mix originally from Orange County, Calif., joined her family eight years ago after being adapted from a shelter. Grace lives with three other adapted members of the family, Weezer the Cat, Miss Lulu, and Mr. Toad. All are orange tabbies. She is sponsored by: Upon this Rock Artisans/Don Pencil Woodturning
Grace is a very quiet, kind and friendly dog. She loves to be with her friends as well as always looking to make new ones. (She misses her long time friend and neighbor Chika but has found a new companion in Lulu the Dog from Eastman Road.) Grace loves children and hopes her participation in the mayoral race will be of great benefit to children everywhere. Grace says, “Go out and vote often! Children everywhere will be the winners. We, the candidates, are just the ambassadors.”
Voting is open to both islanders and non-islanders who “buy” candidates into office placing as many votes as they want at area polling locations or online via https://www.oich.org.
