WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas — A City Council member is out and the cat he tried to oust now has a job for life at the local library.
After leading the charge to remove Browser, a cat who had worked as pest control and reading helper at the library for six years, Elzie Clements lost his bid for re-election Nov. 8.
Even at his last meeting Dec. 6, Clements tried to take a swipe at the feline.
"My view hasn't changed — I don't believe we need animals in our buildings," Clements told the Star-Telegraph. "We just can't take a chance."
The dust-up started over the summer when a city employee wanted to take a dog to work but was told it wasn't allowed, according to KTVT.
A viral campaign helped save the cat's job. Clements led a council vote to allow the cat back in July; however, there was nothing to be done for Clements who was handily defeated by Evelyn J. Spurlock in November.
Mayor Ron White not only stuck up for the cat, he noted that Browser has lifetime tenure, security usually reserved for Supreme Court justices.
"Browser is still employed and will be as long as he wishes to continue his duties as mascot and reading helper for the children at the library" White told KTVT.
In addition to helping reduce the rodent population, Browser is the focus of the library's 2017 calendar, which sells for $5.
Cox Media Group
