This summer's most unusual criticism of Governor Kulongoski comes from an unlikely source, Bow-Wow! Dog News, which describes itself as a monthly newspaper for dog lovers on the Oregon and south Washington coast. In the June issue, its editor, Trish Nevan, reports that in April the Governor's wife, Mary Oberst, arranged a hike at Fort Clatsop on the Fort to Sea Trail for some family members and friends. Parts of the trail prohibit dogs. A few days before the hike, Ms. Oberst called Fort Clatsop to ask for permission to bring their dog, named Hershey, for the hike. Permission was granted. The governor and a family friend each brought their dog. Ms. Nevan tells what happened on the day of the hike (I've abridged her story slightly):
Less than 100 feet down the trail, the park ranger noticed the two dogs race past everyone with typical dog enthusiasm.
Oops.
The ranger said something to the effect of, "Oh hey, sorry, but dogs have to be on leash on the trail -- park rules, you know."
It was at this moment that the governor's happy demeanor changed. Apparently he had no intention of holding onto his dog's leash for six miles. He was no longer a happy camper.
His wife offered to walk Hershey on leash. The park ranger offered to hold onto the dog's leash. But the governor refused.
After a few awkward moments of stalemate, Gov. Kulongoski made an executive decision. He asked if the ranger was required to accompany their party along the trail (answer: no) and then dismissed the park ranger from the group just so he could break the Fort to Sea Trail's rules about dogs without getting caught.
How many dog owners have hedged the rules regarding leash laws? Probably most of us. However, using political clout to get special permission to bend a rule is one thing, disregarding the rules totally is a disappointing character flaw in anyone, especially someone in public office.
I missed this story when it first came out in Bow-Wow! Dog News, and learned of it only when the Cannon Beach Gazette reprinted it on August 23. The Governor's office didn't respond when asked for comment, and rightly so: there's a time and a place to exercise restraint.