Editorials On Eli

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Northeast Tarrant's Talk About Town

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Northeast Tarrant's Talk About Town

Star Telegram
2001

PIG IN THE CITY - Now that Eli the pig has chosen the political path in his effort to stay at home in Hurst, NETworking has developed a questionnaire.

Is Eli really a pig, or at 225 pounds, does he qualify as a hog?

Is he into slinging mud? Or does he just like to roll around in it?

How smart is this pig? Can he name the mayor of North Richland Hills? The city manager of Colleyville? What are his thoughts on Grecians? Can he say the word "subliminal"?

If elected, could he, in good conscience, cut the pork from budgets?

Mainly, we want to know whether this swine has a scandalous past. Any pig paternity lawsuits out there? Has he ever stolen from the community trough? Lost the farm to risky investments?

That'll do pig.

PIG POWER

The Hurst story of a porcine pet isn't over yet.

Eli the potbellied pig was about to lock up a victory at Hurst City Hall, but it slipped right through his little cloven hooves. Politics are like that sometimes.

The issue was whether Hurst will enforce its ordinance that says livestock like Eli can't live within the city on lots smaller than 1 acre. Last month, the City Council approved a special exemption for Eli. But the measure required a second vote, and by the time that vote came around this week, two council members had decided that they couldn't go along with the special treatment.

So does that mean the Eli must leave, with only a wistful look back at Hurst as he crosses the city limit line?

The pig's owner, Cynthia Wynne, says "no". She had already given the city petitions with more than the 600 signatures required to call an election to amend the 1990 animal control ordinance. Her version would label potbellied pigs like Eli as "exotic pets," not livestock.

The council will consider calling the referendum on May 5 to coincide with the scheduled municipal elections. Wynne says she many even run for a council seat in that election.

Democracy lives in Hurst. Let the people decide.

DR. PEPPER GOING WHOLE HOG FOR POTBELLIED PIG'S PARTY

HURST - In Texas, Dr Pepper is usually served with pork - rather than to it.

But convention takes a holiday today when Eli - Hurst's celebrated swine - basks in the bliss of his own party thrown by owner Cynthia Wynne and the maker of his favorite soft drink.

During a four-month dispute with city leaders to keep Eli's hooves planted on Hurst soil, the 225 pound Vietnamese potbellied pig turned to the sweet brown soda for comfort, chugging about a bottle a week, Wynne said.

"If I put water next to Dr Pepper, he'll take Dr Pepper every time," she said.

Dr Pepper officials heard about his predilection for the pop and sought his services, if not as a Pepper for decades, the company knew of no other animal with the acquired taste, spokesman Robert Morales said.

Company officials concede that there was some risk.

"This story was begging for attention," Morales said. "But we had to keep our distance until there was some resolution. After all, we didn't want anyone to think we were pro-pig."

With the eviction threat behind him, Eli's allies are invited to the 2p.m. bash at 1321 Norwood Street, where he will get 15 cases of Dr Pepper, a storage cooler and a couple of beach towels.

"He also gets a T-shirt that reads, 'Be a Pepper,' but I can't figure out how to get it on him," Wynne said.

By Bill W. Hornaday