Sure, canine mayors are old hat at this point – but a feline mayor? (Record scratch!) It's true! Ronnie the Cat was elected as the first feline mayor of Concord, and we've got the scoop on this story, too.
You are a native of Florida. Have you found Concord to be more or less feline-friendly?
I am a native of Florida, but my people are not. They told me stories of these wonderful places in the North where there is white stuff and it is called snow, not sand, the trees change color, and the people don't complain all the time about it being so hot. (They don't even have big fluffy coats to carry around like I do!)
I thought it was just a fantastic bedtime story, but no, Concord and our little patch of woods is just as beautiful as they said! The situation for cats and other animals where I am from is very sad. Let's just say there is a “Scary Building With No Exit” for kitties in that county. But Concord and the surrounding area is much more feline friendly. I love living here and am proud to represent the kitties of Concord!
Did Florida's importance as a swing state give you the political experience to campaign successfully here in equally-important New Hampshire?
I must have brought some of the Florida issues with me because there were some last-minute complications with counting electronic absentee votes. I thought we were going to have to take it up to the Supreme Kitty Council of the Arts Market, but at the end I won and that's all that really matters.
Besides, my lawyer just passed away (he was a rat) and I would have had to find a new one. Too much work for a cat. (Noooo, I did not eat him.)
We hear you were causing all sorts of mayhem on the beaches of Florida and ended up in a trap. Tell us a little bit about that mayhem, and what sort of cathartic soul-searching you might have done in the trap?
Those were dark days, I was a different kitty back then and I'm not proud of it. I was unneutered, loud, rude, eating junk food, roaming around and fighting, and just a mess. My people were afraid I would get the kitty po-po called, and then all the neighborhood cats would go to the “Scary Building With No Exit” along with me.
I picked the right house to be bad at, because the people were already volunteering in trap-neuter-return. So, out went the trap, in I went, a quick surgery, some shots, and I was on my way to becoming the refined gentleman I am today.
You are dubbed “the ladies man.” Can we expect an Anthony Weiner/Bill Clinton type scandal to come out of your office?
I am proud to be neutered, so there's no risk of scandalous or rude behavior from me! I think every cat should be spayed or neutered – there are too many kitties already awaiting homes.
Do you have any plans to work with the canine mayor, or will you be bitter rivals?
I look forward to working with Merlin! I'm larger than he is, so I'd really like to try to sit on him and squish him just for fun. We cats are actually very social animals. So, I bring a full kitty crew with me to the mayor's office.
My city managers are Douglas and Olive (awesome kitties!) and Yumi is my “purrlitical consultant.” I think this will be a great year with lots of sleeping in sunspots, playing with catnip, and skidding across wooden floors. And hopefully increased awareness of trap-neuter-release and kitty adoption.
You are the first ever feline mayor of Concord. How will you blaze the trail for future feline mayors?
I thought this was a lifetime appointment?! If there is ever a coup de cat, I challenge my usurper to try and sleep more than I do. It's just not possible!
What particular skills does a cat bring to the table that would help in governing the city of Concord?
My people told me I'm not supposed to bring things to the table. TabbyPants, the outdoor kitty, brings the people mice and they don't like that too much.
Besides, I thought people were supposed to bring yummy treats to the table for me. If you're offering, I'd like a rotisserie chicken.
