Rosie Disch, a yellow lab, has clinched the win for mayor in the tiny hamlet of Omena.

Every three years, the Omena Historical Society (OHS) holds the light-hearted election as a fundraiser, with donations used in part to maintain the Omena Historical Society Museum, built in 1876.

In this year’s race there were 19 candidates, including a chicken, a goat, a cat, an invisible dog and several regular dogs. Sweet Tart the Cat won in the last election in 2018, and received international attention for her role at mayor but now, shares the race’s publicity chair Roberta Cohen, “it looks like the town has gone to the dogs.”

Mayor Rosie’s win was announced, and she was inaugurated Saturday at the Omena-Traverse Yacht Club by lifetime OHS board member Ed Oberndorf.

Cohen says, “Ironically, the candidates’ parade was cancelled because it was raining “cats & dogs.” Mayor Rosie’s village council consists of Penny Labriola (the chicken); Sweet Tart (the cat, and previous mayor); Sandra O’Day (the goat); and Chip Goldman (the chihuahua).

This year’s election raised $13,842. Each vote cost $1 and voters were strongly encouraged to “vote early and often.” All funds benefit the Omena Historical Society, which is dedicated to helping to preserve the history of the area for visitors, residents, and future generations. Funds raised also enable the archiving of historic materials, the development of new exhibits, and the presentation of historical programs to the public.