Thanks for mayor race | Letters

For the past eight weeks, all across the island signs were placed, campaign buttons pressed, T-shirts emblazoned, cookies baked, magnets made, banners hung and a good bit of money slipped into voting envelopes, placed online or negotiated for last-minute chances.

July 16, 2013 5:00 pm

For the past eight weeks, all across the island signs were placed, campaign buttons pressed, T-shirts emblazoned, cookies baked, magnets made, banners hung and a good bit of money slipped into voting envelopes, placed online or negotiated for last-minute chances. In the end, early learning center Children’s House, which sponsors the annual Honorary Mayor of Eastsound race, came out the winner thanks to the generosity of so many.

This year’s fundraising fell short of our $8,000 goal, but the race was action-packed with such spirited campaigning and last-minute voting we couldn’t help but be thrilled with the outcome.

Pound for pound Pom-Chi Panda raised incredible support through a truly grass roots effort and in the end threw her support to the Beagalitarian, pushing Jinjer to a near win.

Labratarian Lucy seemed content with her fourth place finish – as easy-going labs would.

Musically talented Winston made a late and admirable race to the finish but couldn’t top Fargo, who drew his support from Boston terrier – Fargo N.D. – and Studio Mierau-lovers everywhere.

Thanks to the big hearts and creative – but hard – work of so many in this campaign, including:

• Outgoing Mayor Murphy and his owners Jane and Dale Heisinger

• Candidates Fargo, Jinjer, Lucy, Panda, Winston (and their owners);

• Sponsors Windermere, Island Hoppin’ Brewery, Orcas Book Exchange and Crow Valley Pottery

• Office Cupboard, Chris Brems, programmer Chris Sutton, political pundits Layna Mosley and Andrew Reynolds;

• Preschooler Tess for negotiating with her parents an extra $10 on Jinjer

• Polling businesses: Westsound Café, The Kitchen, Driftwood Nursery, Trading Co., Crow Valley, Doe Bay Resort, Monkey Puzzle, Outlook Inn, Pawkis, Studio Mierau, Deer Harbor Inn, Mijitas, Orcas Village Store, Cherry Ts, Chimayos, Darvilles, Enzos, Lower Tavern, Moon Glow, Portofinos, Rosario, Smith and Speed, Village Stop, Mandy’s, Olgas, Dr. Ivans

• Amber Paulsen of Kaleidoscope who let us lead the pet parade

• Thousands of islanders and visitors who voted with their hearts and wallets!

• And last but not least Children’s House students current, past and future who remind us each and every day why this fundraising campaign is worthwhile!

Congratulations to Mayor Fargo. We wish him success! Stay tuned for opportunities to meet our new mayor in person.

Susan Anderson

Executive Director

of Children’s House