BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Goofy, a mixed breed dog, enjoys his new status Sunday as mayor of Rabbit Hash.
(Patrick Reddy photo)
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RABBIT HASH -- Everybody thought the new mayor of Rabbit Hash should howl for joy following his election here Sunday, but His Honor Goofy just scratched and sat patiently for photographers.
Goofy, a mixed-breed canine of unknown origin got 5,664 votes, at $1 a vote, to become the best mayor money could buy in this Boone County, Ky., community on the Ohio River.
"If a dog was to become mayor of Rabbit Hash, it had to be Goofy," said the new mayor's campaign manager (and owner) Ed Borneman. The election was all in fun, to raise funds for the Rabbit Hash Historical Society to restore the East Bend Methodist Church building. Every vote was a dollar for the cause.
Goofy had to survive a tongue-in-cheek challenge when Bellevue Mayor Tom Wiethorn, a member of the Kentucky League of Cities serving as official election observer, announced that the Kentucky Constitution did not permit anyone with more than three legs to be a mayor.
That meant the runner-up, wood carver Clifford Pottorf from Big Bone Lick, was the mayor and Goofy was appointed parking commissioner. Then Mr. Wiethorn announced that a telegram had just arrived reversing the decision and Goofy was once again mayor, much to the relief of Mr. Pottorf. Another dog, Herb Cochran, finished third in the balloting. Barbara Fallis, a member of the historical society and the brains behind the election - fund-raiser, said she was overwhelmed when the final tally showed that over $6,900 had been raised.
Mr. Borneman, smoking a victory cigar, just laughed when it was pointed out that he probably bought the election. "Isn't that the idea?" he said.
