Brevard, North Carolina Officially Named 'White Squirrel Capital of the World'
The 'Squirrel Wars' escalate as five towns fight over claim of "The Home of the White Squirrel"
Brevard, NC (PRWEB) May 10, 2005 -- In an attempt to finally put an end to
the question "Where is the true White Squirrel Capital of the World?", Mayor
Jimmy Harris has officially crowned Brevard, North Carolina with that honor.
While cities like Kenton, Tennessee; Olney, Illinois; Morionville, Ohio; and
Exeter, Ontario have all made claims to be the "Home of the White Squirrel";
according to Harris and other leading experts, this is "pure nuts".
Harris makes a strong case, pointing out that only Brevard, North
Carolina can claim the following:
1. The largest white squirrel population
(25% of all their squirrels are white squirrels)
2. A festival dedicated
soley to White Squirrels (The White Squirrel Festival is held Memorial Day
weekend of each year. This year May 28th - May 29th)
3. A commissioned white
squirrel marble sculpture in front of city hall.
4. An offical white squirrel
weather vane at the county courthouse.
5. A White Squirrel Shoppe at the
corner of downtown Main Street.
6. "Real" white squirrels and not the albino
imitations.
7. An official white squirrel theme song.
8. An official White
Squirrel Day.
9. The national headquarters of the White Squirrel Research
Institute.
10. Future home of the International White Squirrel
Museum.
To further support his case, Harris relies on experts such as Bob
Glesener, Associate Professor of Biology and Ecology at Brevard College.
"They're not genetic mutants," he said. "Our squirrels have some gray markings
in the coats, and their eyes are dark in color. Albino squirrels have pure white
coats and pink eyes."
The escalting effect of these squirrel wars has led
Harris to issue a standing invitation to debate any other mayor which may claim
to be "The Home of White Squirrels". "I will have an open mike here during the
White Squirrel Festival, and I challenge any other city to send their mayor to
debate the hard facts."
Mentions of Brevard's White Squirrels made the
Jay Leno and David Letterman shows last year, and this year the coverage has
intensified. "We invite Good Morning America here to our beautiful town and to
verify for all America, once and for all, that these creatures do exist and that
they call Brevard, North Carolina their home". Tony Perkins could not be reached
for comment.
With international tensions already high, some question
Harris's timing, noting that one of the four other "white squirrel" cities is
the Canadian town of Exeter, Ontario, a close US ally. "While I understand their
claim, I repectfully disagree" Harris continues, aware of the possible
repercussions. "But the truth has to be stated."
Could there be a
coaltion of white squirrel cities in the future? That possibility remains
uncertain while the squirrel wars rage on. For now, Brevard, North Carolina has
staked its position and holds firm. "We may be able to come to an agreement and
admit that some white squirrels may migrate seasonally or have second homes, but
the true home of the white squirrel will always be Brevard."
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/5/prweb238329.htm