Every year thousands of dog owners and dog lovers alike flock to Madison Square Garden to witness a spectacular event, the annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The judges certainly have their work cut out for themselves, with over 2500 dogs from over 150 breeds; it is truly a site to behold. As the dogs put their best paw forward, they are judged based on appearance, performance and pedigree.
Another cluster of contenders in a different type of show, are the candidates for the 2009 Public Advocate Race in New York City. The public advocate is the city’s problem solver or ombudsman also known as the city’s ‘watchdog’. He or she presides over City Council meetings and act as a supervisory body for city agencies and at times in the past have proved to be quite a forthright check on the Mayor. Sharing in the spotlight in this race is Councilman Eric Gioia, former public advocate Mark Green, Councilman Bill de Blasio, Norman Siegel and Alex Zablocki.
Like the dogs in the Westminster Kennel Dog Show, the candidates in the race for Public Advocate certainly cover many different categories. With the returning ‘champion’, former public advocate Green (who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks), third time running contender, Siegal and a pup among dogs, Zablocki who is only 26 years old ( almost 4 in dog years), this year’s race is nothing short of exciting. These contestants stand to be judged on November 3, 2009.
May the best ‘watchdog’ win.
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