By Bonnie Culverhouse
If you think the mayor is barking up the wrong tree, maybe your pet can sniff out a better solution.
Do you have a “royal” pet? A dog, cat or any other that you know in your heart is capable of a prestigious honor?
Here is your opportunity … the 2024 Inaugural Pet Mayor Election nominations are now online.
According to Ashlee Drake, Minden City Hall, this is a fundraiser for the Animal Shelter and they are currently seeking sponsors and nominations.
“We want nominations of the cutest and smartest pets in our area to submit their photos for voting,” Drake said. “Cats, dogs, and all other pets are welcome to run for this prestigious honor. The winning pet may be owned by a resident of Minden or surrounding towns, and local businesses may sponsor pets.”
The Pet Mayor serves as an ambassador of goodwill for Minden for one year. The Pet Mayor may be asked to make occasional public appearances throughout the year.
Register your pet(s) to become a candidate online from April 20 through May 8. Nominees will go to mindenpetmayor.com to register and post a photo for $25 per pet.
The Pet Mayor Election will be held strictly online from May 9 through May 27. Each $5 donation will count as one vote. On May 28, votes will be tallied and the pet with the most votes will be elected Pet Mayor.
First Runner-Up will be named Chief of Pawlice, Second Runner-Up will be Fire Chief and third through 7th Runners-Up will be Pet Council.
Call for sponsorships are now through April 19. Those interested in a Sponsorship, the following are costs and descriptions:
TITLE SPONSOR – TOP DOG
$1,000
Premier top-tier logo placement in all event materials: printed, online, voting platform, and sponsored social media posts. Title Sponsor Top Dog will participate in the collaring ceremony. Available: 1
PAW-SOME LEVEL
$500
Business Name included on event materials, online, and recognized during collaring ceremony.
O-PURR-TUNITY LEVEL
$250
Business name will be included on all online materials.
City of Minden hopes to build a new shelter on the current site using American Rescue Plan Act monies, as well as donations.
District D Councilman Michael Roy said he has been telling folks about the plans and has already received close to $4,000 in donations.
“The more we raise, the less it will cost the taxpayers,” Roy said, referring to the new building. He said he intends to talk with the Animal Shelter director concerning construction plans soon. At Tuesday night’s council meeting, it was approved to allow the mayor to begin researching building costs.