Posted on 08/24/2005 4:10:53 AM PDT by Cowman
Aug 23, 2005 8:23 am US/Eastern WEIPPE, Idaho (AP) It’s a big issue in this small town: Should Weippe bring back the gorilla?
Members of the City Council recently split on whether to repaint the gorilla caricature that for decades had been on the side of the 76-foot-tall water tank in the town. It was the council’s first divided vote since the 1980s.
The gorilla was the mascot of the old Weippe High School before it was combined with neighboring Timberline High School in 1970. It was painted over three years ago.
Maxine Johnstun, 83, has led the charge to repaint the gorilla. Johnstun wears a gorilla T-shirt to council meetings and has helped collect $1,300 in donations to pay for a new paint job.
But some residents argue the town should paint the mascot of Timberline High—the mighty Spartans—on the water tank.
“This is Spartan country now,” said Bob Hartig, a coach at the high school.
Debate over the gorilla has overshadowed other issues. At a recent council meeting, virtually everyone attending stood up and left when council members deadlocked over the gorilla. Council members on both sides say it’s gotten a little ugly.
“Personally, I feel like I’ve been intimidated,” says council member Ronnie Larson, who cast his vote in favor of the gorilla.
The gorilla is back on the agenda for the council’s Sept. 12 meeting.
We'll settle the whole Migilla right here
As a primate, I'm deeply offended that any school, town or other organization would use an image or mascot that is a primate.
It is demeaning.
\sarc
Gorilla.
That deserves its own barf alert.
The only pc solution is to paint a female gorilla holding hands with a female Spartan!
And we all know what Spartans were known for...
How 'bout a gorilla wearing a greek hat?
BTW.
The town is pronounced: We-ipe
Too much time on their hands, they have.
(it is talk like Yoda day at work)
The Geico metrosexual cavemen find this story to be "very condescending".
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