Goat sworn in as mayor of Vermont town

The Associated Press

6 years ago

Lincoln, a Nubian goat, runs around with pasture mate Lucy at their home in Fair Haven, Vt. Lincoln was recently elected "Pet Mayor" on town meeting day. (/The Rutland Herald via AP)

Sally Stanton, right, holds her grandson Murphy Drzewianowski as he feeds Lincoln the goat in Fair Haven, Vt. (/The Rutland Herald via AP)

Lincoln, a 3-year-old Nubian goat, is the first honorary pet mayor of the small Vermont town of Fair Haven. (Robert Layman/The Rutland Herald via AP)

FAIR HAVEN, Vt. — The new honorary mayor of Fair Haven, Vermont — a 3-year-old goat named Lincoln — was officially sworn into office this week.

Lincoln was dressed in a sash reading “Mayor” for the Tuesday ceremony at the Fair Haven town offices. Town Clerk Suzanne Dechame and the select board were present to deliver the oath of office.

Fair Haven, a town of about 2,500 along the border with New York just west of Rutland, does not have an actual mayor.

Town Manager Joseph Gunter says the honorary pet mayor idea was conceived as a fundraiser for a playground, but it turned into a civics lesson for kids.

On the way out of the offices, the honorary mayor defecated on the floor — leaving clean-up to the police chief and other attendees.