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Who won last year?
Bovine April was named the official winner of the Honorary Eastsound Mayoral Race, a fundraiser sponsored by and benefiting Childrens House. An obvious favorite of Orcas locals, April ran as a true write-in and captured 57 percent of the vote in a five-week campaign that raised in all nearly $5,000 for the early learning center.
April had run as an official candidate in the previous two years and spurred on by her sponsor, Trading Co., stampeded to the finish line in her first win. In a rare interview following the election, April was quoted as saying she found the outpouring of community support, Mooving.
Inaugural Ball (Bawl) and Barn Dance (ice cream social) was held in September to celebrate her success.
What is the Eastsound Mayoral Campaign?
The race is an annual fundraiser sponsored by and benefiting Children’s House, a childhood early-learning center supporting island families for more than 40 years. Last year'scandidates included canines Pogo, Oliver, Paycey and Grace, feline Ember and OICH’s own bunny, Pearl Boy. Bovine April entered late but was listed as a write-in. Despite occasional mudslinging, the race is always good-natured and offers both the community and island visitors an opportunity to support an establishment committed to early childhood development.
Do I have to be an island native to vote?
No. You don’t even have to be an American citizen or human. (Is this a great island or what?) You do have to buy your candidate into office using American currency (or by pledging full shares of your Berkshire Hathaway A stock.)
Where on the island can I vote?
The easiest way to vote in the privacy of your own home is online via oich.org, which - thanks to our merchant provider PayPal charges $.32 cents for the first $1 pledge. To get more bang for your buck, pledge more than $1 there or drop your donation of any size off at any of the polling boxes in businesses around town.
Where are these boxes placed?
Boxes are strategically placed from Deer Harbor to Olga in local businesses, including Rainbow Services, Ray's Pharmacy, Wood's Cove, Village Stop, Washington Federal, Islanders Bank, Fire, Orcas Island Physical Therapy, Driftwood Nursery, The Office Cupboard, Outlook Inn, Crow Valley Pottery, Pawkis, Moon Glow, Orcas Village Store, Mia's, The Kitchen, Chimayo's, Home Grown, Tres Fabu and Smith & Speed. (April has her own special box at Trading Co. but you can write her in anywhere!)
Will the candidates be televising debates?
No. Due to tight deadlines, each candidate will be campaigning individually, dishing dirt and refuting charges via their Web sites, Twitter or blogs. The best way to learn about each candidate’s platform is through their communication sites (links via and http://mayor.smalldognet.com/ and FAQ "THE CANDIDATES?"). These links will keep you up-to-date on each candidate’s background, their endorsements, grooming habits and diet, as well as issues they stand for. Also, read the latest gossip via Twitter by searching #OrcasMayorsRace or twitter.com/ChildrensHouse1 where tweets are frequently unleashed, biased and strangely informational.
What happened to bovine April?
She's running -- or at least standing! April entered the race late. Write her in anywhere votes are collected or visit her sponsor at Trading Co. and chew the cud with her campaign manager Jo Ann Frances.
When does the election end?
The election process wraps up Sat., July 2 at 2 P.M. when the Web site closes, ballot boxes are collected and votes are tallied. Minute-by-minute updates are posted live at the Children’s House Mayoral Race booth in the Farmers Market. (Later that week, ballots will be discovered in a missing box in Florida and added to the total, so final results will be posted online and tweeted.)
What if I don’t know who to vote for?
Consult your Ouiga board, a palmist or psychic. Then put a $1,000 on Pearl Boy anyway because.... well, he’s just cool. If you’re hare-phobic, select a candidate based on actual platform. If still undecided, choose the candidate with longest tongue, funniest ears, sweetest disposition or biggest hairball. It doesn’t matter. Every vote counts and directly benefits the children of Orcas Island Children’s House.
Paycey
 “More than just a pretty face and great voice.”
The Papillion rescue originally from Kent, WA, is sponsored by Island Irrigation and Kaleidoscope Preschool and Childcare Center.
Paycey passionately supports youth sports, the dog park, the senior center, coffee, golfing, the gardening club (he loves to stop and smell the flowers) and of course education! He's full of ambition and determined to raise money (and votes) for Children's House! After being elected the Mayor Of Eastsound, he wants to go on to compete in the Orcas Idol, where he feels he can fully showcase his "singing voice".
Follow Paycey4Mayor on Twitter
Pearl Boy
 “It’s about green spaces, man!”
This clever, hip bunny is a native of Orcas Island and resides on Pea Patch Lane at Children’s House. He is sponsored by the kids of Orcas Island Children’s House.
An environmental advocate, Pearl Boy believes in protecting our green spaces to ensure our island children will always have a place to play in natural places, to run with the deer and hop with the bunnies.
Always tech-savvy, Pearl Boy can be followed online via PearlBoy4Mayor on Twitter on Facebook and read his Blog on Wordpress, featuring photos, video and his deepest thoughts. (Watch his latest YouTube video!)
Pogo
 “A small dog for small government. “
This mixed-breed canine cutie is sponsored by Orcas Village Store.
Pogo likes people and has never met anyone he doesn't want to know better and claims to have the fastest wagging tale on the West Coast. He seriously considered a job as a doorman, until the opportunity to run for Mayor of Eastsound came along. Now he feels he can provide a service to the community.
Follow Pogo – and his bouncing ball.
Oliver
 “A happy, healthy, playful future.”
A mixed breed canine, Oliver is known to be loyal, kind and devoted to his family. He is sponsored by: Christian and Megan Heisinger.
Though he is very serious about his work, like many islanders, he has a profound need for recreation and enjoys hiking and running. He expresses concerns with inter-species access issues and hopes to see a doggy-restaurant in Eastsound much like the one in Seattle where dogs and their human companions can break bread together. Last but certainly not least, Oliver loves children, and would like to see more recreation spots for the smaller kids. He has heard that Moran State Park and the Funhouse are each considering putting in play structures for the 0-7 year old crowd and heartily supports their efforts.
Follow Oliver on Facebook.
Ember
 “Don't let Eastsound go to the dogs! The Cat is where it's at!”
A mixed-breed feline, Ember was orphaned at an early age and began her career as a rat catcher in a hard-scrabble Seattle neighborhood. She is sponsored by The McKenney/Wolf Family.
Ember likes to lead by example. When asked how we will benefit from her leadership. Ember said: “I’ll solve the fresh water shortage by teaching you to lick yourselves clean,” and noted she’s the only candidate on the slate with extensive foreign policy experience. ”I may not be able to see Russia from my back porch,” she said, “ but I can sure see Lopez Island, and if those people aren't communists I don’t know who is!"
Follow Ember4Mayor via Twitter.
Grace
 “Grace the Ace in the mayoral race.”
The Rhodesian/Lab mix originally from Orange County, CA, joined her family eight years ago after being adapted from a shelter. Grace lives with 3 other adapted members of the family, Weezer the Cat, Miss Lulu, and Mr. Toad. All are orange tabbies. She is sponsored by: Upon this Rock Artisans/Don Pencil Woodturning
Grace is a very quiet, kind and friendly dog. She loves to be with her friends as well as always looking to make new ones. (She misses her long time friend and neighbor Chika but has found a new companion in Lulu the Dog from Eastman Road.) Grace loves children and hopes her participation in the mayoral race will be of great benefit to children everywhere. Grace says, “Go out and vote often! Children everywhere will be the winners. We, the candidates, are just the ambassadors.”
Campaign manager Don Pencil says readers can follow Grace -- everywhere.
April (write-in)
“Outstanding in the field.”
Write-in candidate April is a Brown Swiss and sponsored by Trading Co. (The proud American has posted at her stall pedigree papers for those requiring “prooof.”)
April was adopted as a calf by two young sisters from the San Juan County Fair many moooons ago. Throughout her life she has cultivated a strong bond with children at the education hub of Eastsound. “I have a steak in this race! I love little bipeds.” As the only write-in candidate, April threw her horn in the ring late because her followers were “bellowing for me to run” and she could not in good “cowscience” ignore them. She is udderly confident she’ll win the youth vote and is running as an early-education advocate but adds, “Hay, I’m also a green candidate.”
Follow April -- but watch where you’re stepping.
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