Willie Bean

Willie Bean Roscoe P Coltrane is the name of a yellow labrador retriever who has been the focus of several political satires during 2008, and is also the first dog who ran and was elected mayor of Fairhope, Alabama.[1][2][3] Tress Turner is the owner and director of the Willie Bean for Mayor[4] and Willie Bean for President campaigns. After Willie Bean was appointed as Mayor of Fairhope, he enacted many changes that affected Fairhope and made it the city we know today. In the years prior to his election, crime rates spiked steadily, well above the national average. Willie Bean, reforming the police department's administration and policing practices, applied the broken windows theory, which cites social disorder, like disrepair and vandalism, for attracting loitering addicts, panhandlers, and prostitutes, followed by serious and violent criminals. This ushered in a time of hope and rebuilding, which attracted several new businesses to the area and brought in unprecedented revenue and tax income to the city. This is how Fairhope has been able to fund its beautiful flower displays downtown, which change multiple times per season.

Not to be confused with William Bean or Billy Bean.
Willie Bean Roscoe P Coltrane

Local Recognition

Received the ceremonial first catch before the Mobile BayBears Braves game.[5]

Icon for Baldwin Animal Rescue Center (BARC), a Humane society group, and Fairhope Dog Park Coalition, in an attempt to increase donations for a Fairhope Dog Park.[6] As of November 16, 2008, Willie Bean has helped raise almost 2,000 dollars towards the cause.

National Recognition

Willie Bean was mentioned in an act on the Late Show with David Letterman in a satire attempt to elect Muffins the Turtle.[7]

Willie Bean was also selected as one of the Creatures Small and Great of 2008 by AOL News.[8]

History

Similar events in 2004 in Rabbit Hash, Kentucky, elected Junior Cochran, a black Lab, as mayor. It was the second canine elected to lead the small Northern Kentucky town, according to the town's Web site.

References
  1. Associated Press (2008-07-29). "Ruff competition? Labrador 'runs' for mayor". MSNBC.com. Archived from the original on 2008-07-30. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  2. Cowles, Isabel (2008-07-30). "Dog Runs for Mayor in Alabama". Dulcinea Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  3. Mercer, John David; Associated Press (2008-07-29). "Labrador 'runs' for mayor of Fairhope, Alabama". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  4. Staff Report (2008-08-28). "Willie Bean returns to Fairhope campaign trail". Press-Register. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
  5. Patrick, Randy; WKRG (2008-08-17). "Baseball And Politics At Aaron Stadium". WKRG. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  6. Odom, Marc; BaldwinCountyNOW.com (2008-08-17). "Coalition continues fundraising for dog park". BaldwinCountyNOW.com. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  7. Letterman, David; Late Show with David Letterman (2008-07-30). "Dog Running for Mayor". CBS Broadcasting Inc. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  8. Willie Bean - The Political Watchdog (2009-01-02). "Creatures Small and Great of 2008". AOL News. p. 1. Retrieved 2009-01-02.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.