Dog wins mayoral post in Divide
DIVIDE • A three-legged dog beat a three-legged cat to become the new mayor of Divide.
Spright, a pit bull mix, won the ceremonious post in an election where votes were bought.
The former stray, known as “Mighty Sprighty” in the campaign, received 4,755 votes. At her heels was runner-up Walter, an orange tabby, with 4,213 votes.
Walter will serve as vice mayor in this unincorporated mountain town with no governing body — that is, until now.
The dollar-a-vote election raised $14,084 for Teller County Regional Animal Shelter. “Everybody really got into it,” said Mary Steinbeiser, shelter manager.
The race had four Republi-cats and 21 Dog-ocrats on the ballot. All candidates had jobs. That was the only requirement.
Walter, a former stray hit by a car, works at Animal Clinic of Woodland Park.
Spright travels with Dr. Lisa Berg at The Mobile Pet Vet in Divide. “She’s my vet truck dog,” Berg said. “I needed to have someone be with me. I’m lonely.”
Berg described Spright as “high-energy, sweet and everybody’s friend.”
As mayor, Spright will preside over parades and other events in Divide and Woodland Park (where, incidentally, the winning two-legged mayor, Steve Randolph, received only 712 votes in this week’s election).
The political animals’ official inauguration ceremony will be noon Sunday at the shelter, 308 Weaverville Road. People and leashed pets are welcome. For more information: (719) 686-7707 or tcrascolorado.com.
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Call the writer at 636-0253.
