Whatever it is we do in Paris Texas, we don’t do it straight on.

We kinda’ slide up to it, sorta’ sideways; sorta’ like a stray mongrel begging for something to eat or, at least, a kind word. If a misguided soul pats us on the head, we start slobbering and running around in little circles and wagging out tails while barking with hopeful joy that they (or someone) will kill our fleas and ticks. Or see if there is something around that might be alright to eat. 

We always seem to be starved for baloney.

The problem is that we’re not Old Yellow or Lassie or even Rin-Tin-Tin. And we sure aren’t as smart as Goofy.

We’re so dog-gone pitiful we’ll give cash as an incentive to pat us on the head. Evidently, we don’t believe we deserve to be loved – or appreciated.

Together, we could make life better.

But we’re begging for kindness from those who we should be barking and growling at for why we’re looking for kindness.

Consider that the Three Mustyrears are paying a Florida firm to come up with a “brand” they can use to “market Paris”.

According to a firm spokesman, “What we’ve learned is that communities generally become more competitive and see improvement in their overall reputation when all the main sectors of the community are aligned around a common strategy, a common DNA and a compass that says,’ “This is where we’re going; this is what we stand for”’ and went on to say that the Three Mustyrears are, ‘“collaborating so that you’re swimming in the same direction.”’

Amazing.

They don’t know what Paris is swimming in … but water full of it still runs downhill.

For a decade, the Paris Chamber has repeatedly said, “Paris needs a vision, a theme, and the protocols to make it a highly desired destination for a large, identified segment of the market.”

And now, the Three Mustyrears are wasting $85,000 of the taxpayer’s money to hear the same thing in slightly different words.

The difference is that the Paris Texas Chamber has known what is needed and what would work for Paris for years; the firm from Florida doesn’t have an idea now; nor, will they have a workable idea when they collect the rest of their money.

But that’s okay.  We’re not one of the “the main sectors of the community – “

It’s one of our bragging points.