Driving the news: Mayor Wilbur was sworn in this month as the town’s first dog mayor after winning the “Pawsitive Politics” election alongside Trouble Man, its first Cat Police Chief.
* Wilbur promised to “always be a good boy,” listen even when squirrels are near and to promote “joy and frequent outdoor walks,” per the oath recited at a Jan. 20 council meeting.
* Trouble Man solemnly swore to protect “laps, and porches and sunny windowsills,” investigate “rogue red dots,” and enforce laws around treats and naps.
* Then they both made it official with a signature (their paws) and the support of Ashland’s human mayor and human police chief.
The latest: Trouble Man is already hard at work, per his Facebook post on Wednesday, which says “I am always watching so be a good citizen.”
The intrigue: Nearly 2,000 people voted in the pet election, but signs may or may not point to nepotism. Records (the dog’s public Instagram and multiple press releases) show Wilbur’s dad being none other than Randolph-Macon’s president, Michael E. Hill.
* That means that, in this economy, even the college’s First Pup is working two jobs.
And fun fact: There’s also a dog mayor named Wilbur in Rabbit Hash, Kentucky. That one is a French bulldog.
What’s next: Mayor Wilbur and Chief Trouble Man will serve for one year. You can watch their swearing-in ceremony here, starting around the 4-minute mark.
The bottom line: Ashland now has a drunk raccoon, a canine mayor and a feline police chief.
