Win Some Lose Some

NO ELEPHANT BAN IN CLATSOP COUNTY

A measure to ban exotic animal displays in Clatsop County failed Tuesday with about 60 percent of voters opposing it.

The measure, which would have been the first of its kind in Oregon, sought to ban the display of elephants and other exotic animals in circuses and similar events.

 Janice Robertson first sought the ban about two years ago when she presented Clatsop County commissioners with a petition for the ban. Commissioners opted to leave the decision to voters.

“I applaud the people who voted for this ban,” Robertson said. “I did everything I could to tell people of the cruelty to animals in circuses, which is horrific. That’s all I can say.”

Voters cast 5,905 votes against the measure, with 3,962 voting in favor. 

 Robertson said she will not try to get a ban approved again.  



Courtesy of Casey Gibbs




CIRCUS WON'T COME TO RIO RANCHO

It's been known as the Greatest Show on Earth for decades, but despite selling nearly 1,000 tickets, the circus won't be coming to Rio Rancho.
Mayor Tom Swisstack said all performances of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus have been canceled.
The circus was supposed to perform at the Santa Ana Star Center in a couple of weeks.
"We never like to cancel a show," Swisstack said. "This is one of those things that is unfortunate."
Last year, Rio Rancho passed an animal welfare ordinance, part of which doesn't allow any traveling shows with animals to get a city permit if that company has any recent violations or settlements with the United States Department of Agriculture. Ringling Brothers does, and it looks like the event center that booked the act didn't do its homework.
"If you're not knowing what ordinances are passed, then it's kind of out of sight, out of mind," Swisstack said.
Management at the Star Center said there is a conference call Friday morning to see if they can find a last-minute deal, but the mayor said what is written on the books is very detailed.
"This is the first time in my history I've had to deal with something like this," Swisstack said.
It's unclear what the conference call will accomplish. Some speculate an amendment could be made to allow performances without wild animals.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, the performance was slated to bring in nearly $20,000 of badly needed profit for the Star Center and $8,000 for the city.

Courtesy of Mike Naughton



Circus Moving From Rio Rancho to Albuquerque

The circus is moving to Tingley Coliseum(which host's both the Arabian Nationals and the Arabian Youth Nationals) in Albuquerque. 
Ticket holders can exchange their tickets at the Tingley Coliseum box office starting Monday.
Refunds will also be offered wherever tickets were purchased.

'SO THERE, RIO RANCHO!!!!!!!   THE TINGLEY COLISEUM CAN HAVE THE 20 GRAND, AND ALBUQUERQUE CAN HAVE THE 8 GRAND.'