From the desk of Mayor Jeff Stanley:
Leading up to the Polack Brothers Circus, that was in Howe for a one day show, the city council and I received a dozen or so emails claiming that the city was “just about profit and not concerned for the citizens”. These claims also included claims of an abused elephant that is riddled with arthritis, malnourished and has a horrible skin condition. I will not claim to be a elephant expert, but I have been around a few animals in my life and have come across some that have been beaten, starved and abused, and I can tell you that the animals that the Polack Brothers Circus have do not fit that category.
These concerned people chase this circus all over the country and have kept them from working more than once with their claims. I am from the school, believe but verify. I verified that the veterinarian records were up to date on all the animals. I checked the animals. I went to the circus and watched the animals perform, and had a great time doing it, and there was nothing that was done to show abuse, arthritis, or undernourishment. The big claim, “the elephant has TB”. The vet report says a different story.
You see a picture of me with the elephant, but my daughter and two year old granddaughter also took a picture with the elephant. I am telling you this because I am confident that this is a healthy elephant that would not hurt anyone intentionally.
For you folks that don’t live here and could care less about the City of Howe unless an elephant shows up, don’t worry about us when an elephant does show up. For those like me and my family and the 100-150 that watched the circus with us, we will invite this circus back again.