Small Group - Big Mouths

I wonder if your town, like mine, is being directed in one way or another by a small but vocal group that manages to get themselve heard in high places.

Our city government recently banned all ground audible and high bursting fireworks. My home is on high ground, overlooking the city. Last July 4, my wife and I dragged out a ladder and climbed to the roof for an even better view. Our city lies along the Rio Grande and we could see all of the valley, from north to south.

From one end to the other, there was a spectacular fireworks display. It lasted for about an hour and was something to see. But, some dog owners protested that their animals were traumatized by the noise and managed to make a lot more noise before the city council. Hence the ban.

We have a "Farmer's and Crafts Market" each Wednesday and Saturday morning. It is held on city property. Some people bring their dogs with them to visit the market. I, as a vendor, consider the dogs a major nuisance. Recently a number of other vendors circulated a petition to have the city ban dogs at the market. I was not present for the petition signing and just read of it in the newspaper.

One day I watched a man with two small dogs, on leashes, stroll through the market. One of the dogs pulled his owner toward a low grass planter on the mall. The man allowed the dog to jump into the planter and stood watching as the dog crapped in the planter. Then, the man and his dogs proceeded on their way, without cleaning up.

Recently two elderly women walked through the market with a small dog on a leash. As they approached our display, the dog edged up to our display and hiked his leg to urinate. I yelled "Hey!" at the top of my voice. That startled the dog and he stopped what he was about to do. It also startled the dog's owner, who looked at me in surprise. I said, "Your dog was about to wet on our display!" She just looked at me and said, "Didn't you ever have to go?", and walked away.

Again, the vocal dog lovers prevailed, persuading the city government not to ban dogs from the market.