The cat's out of the bag
The Russian town of Barnaul wanting to elect a cat as mayor (Herald, December 21), is 15 years behind the precedent set in Alaska by the town of Talkeetna, declares Max Cryer. "Citizens there were less than impressed by the potential candidates for the 1997 election for mayor. The Talkeetna mayoralty is an honorary position - so Stubbs the cat, a much-loved local stray, was nominated, and won the election paws down. Based in the local general store as his Council Chambers, Stubbs' mayoral duties were fulfilled by roaming about town, inspecting bars and drinkers (himself drinking from a wineglass of water laced with catnip). He endured unusual mayoral hazards such as being chased by the occasional dog, and once falling into a restaurant fryer. Because of his unique position, dozens of tourists came to the small town, wanting to see Stubbs go about his mayoral duties. The mayoral cat has his own Facebook page, and is so favoured by the Talkeetna citizens that he is rumoured to be a nominee for election as a Senator."
Ho Ho Ho ... No No No
A reader writes: "I apologise to the elderly lady at the Downtown Warehouse, to whom I wanted to give my spot in the long payment queue, only to be told by people behind me that you had to stand at the back and wait your turn. I saw that you were struggling to hold your bag and the DVDs while you waited. Christmas doesn't always bring out the best in people."
