A small mountain town in California has become a popular place to visit after setting itself apart from other neighboring tourist spots.
Idyllwild, which sits in the San Jacinto Mountains about two hours from Los Angeles and has a population of just 4,000, has no ski resort, no Starbucks, no traffic lights. Gate of Saint Francis reported.
Chris Perreault, a 30-year resident and volunteer with the Idyllwild Area Historical Society, told the outlet: “I think we like it that way. We like being small. We like being different. We like not being huge.”
But the most unusual thing about the city is that it is ruled by a young golden retriever.
Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller III, also known as Mayor Max, is the third official animal mayor of Idyllwild.
Phyllis Mueller, 72, and her husband, Glen Warren, 59, serve as co-chiefs of staff and concierges to the mayor.
Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller III, also known as Mayor Max, is the third official animal mayor of Idyllwild, California.
Phyllis Mueller, 72, and her husband, Glen Warren, 59, serve as co-chiefs of staff and caretakers to the mayor.
Max’s appointment is part of a tradition that began in 2012, when a group called Idyllwild Animal Rescue Friends started a fundraiser to elect a mayor without any human candidates.
“We don’t have local politicians except for Mayor Max. If we need something done, we form a group and do it,” Mueller said. The Hollywood Reporter.
Local policy decisions in the unincorporated city, which is nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains above Palm Springs, are handled by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.
“The mayor is out in public every day and on the weekends. We just do nice, caring things for people. But we do it all day long,” Mueller added.
To participate in the election, voters must be residents of Idyllwild or the nearby towns of Fern Valley, Pine Cove or Mountain Center and pay one dollar.
Max successfully defeated 13 other dogs and two cats with 21,132 votes, while raising more than $31,000.
Mueller also added that with Max’s nonpartisan election and unique role, the city is seeing increased political interest and participation in events.
Meadow Mighty-Dog Mueller (right), Mayor Max’s sister from the same litter, also acts as Idyllwild’s deputy mayor.
Local policy decisions in the unincorporated city, which is nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains above Palm Springs, are handled by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.
Max successfully defeated 13 other dogs and two cats with 21,132 votes, while raising more than $31,000.
“When you become president of the United States, half the people in the country hate you from day one; that’s no fun.”
‘But it would be fun to be able to create a mayor’s office without anyone imposing an agenda on you that forces you to be one way or another.
‘If I were the mayor of Idyllwild and I told people I’d be downtown at 2 p.m. to meet with people, most people wouldn’t come and they certainly wouldn’t come every day.
“If I post that Mayor Max is going to be downtown at 2 p.m., hundreds of people will come because it’s interesting and unusual to see a dog as mayor.” She told the Los Angeles Times.
Mayor Max typically makes public appearances in downtown Idyllwild on Thursdays, Fridays and weekends, while his calendar is filled with private appearances at schools, nursing homes, hospice organizations and businesses throughout the year.
To participate in the election, voters must be residents of Idyllwild or the nearby towns of Fern Valley, Pine Cove or Mountain Center and pay a dollar
The current mayor, Máximo III, began his term on December 9, 2022 at the age of three months and remains in office.
Max also attends birthday parties and weddings, said Mueller, who manages to hand out more than 12,000 novelty ties and about 10,000 Mayor Max calendars in a year.
Taylor Brechtel, owner/curator of Recht Gallery, noted‘Just having your support, having your appeal here, will bring more people to the gallery and help spread the word about the gallery in this Idyllwild community, so I’m grateful.’
The dog is the third ‘Max’ to be mayor.
The first mayor Max, elected on July 1, 2012, was diagnosed with cancer shortly after and was removed from office in April 2013.
Mueller and Warren then adopted another purebred golden retriever, whom they named Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II.
The first mayor Max, who was elected on July 1, 2012, was diagnosed with cancer and was removed from office in April 2013.
Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II took office at two months old and ended his tenure at the age of nine, when he was diagnosed with cancer.
Maximus II took office at the age of two months and finished his term at the age of nine, when he was diagnosed with cancer.
The current mayor, Máximo III, began his term on December 9, 2022 at the age of three months and remains in office.
Meadow Mighty-Dog Mueller, her littermate, also acts as Idyllwild’s deputy mayor.
“Mayor Max III is a labor of love for me and we’re not going anywhere as long as he continues to be loved and adored as he is,” Mueller said. “As long as we believe that we’re truly helping a lot of people around the world live happier lives, I’m not going to end it.”
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