PORTSMOUTH HERALD (New Hampshire) 23 March 06 Frog event croaks (Karen Dandurant)
Rye: The frogs are jumping in Rye, this time for joy.
Seventh-grader Lindsey Chase is doing some jumping of her own. It was her letter to the Board of Selectmen that prompted the Rye Women’s Association to withdraw its application for the Fourth of July Frog Jumping Contest, at least for this year.
In a letter to the editor received Wednesday from the Rye Women’s Association, Bettey Tobey, president of the group, said the contest application will be withdrawn for this July, noting the RWA reserves the right to bring the topic back for discussion at a future date.
"She has a right to comment as she sees fit," said Tobey, referring to Lindsey. "Our purpose is service to the community. We withdrew, and if the community wants it reinstated at a future date, we would be happy to review at that time."
Lindsey said if the subject comes back, she’ll come back.
Lindsey’s mother, Lisa, said she’d like to meet with the RWA and offer some alternatives to jumping frogs.
"Why not something like a good old-fashioned carnival, with sack races and other old-time fun?" said Lisa. "We are not trying to keep the RWA from fund raising. Why do we have to include an animal to have fun?"
Lindsey felt so strongly that the contest was wrong, she brought a letter and a petition signed by students to selectmen Monday night. The board set a date of April 10 for a public hearing. The Chases said they may still ask to meet with selectmen about ending the contest forever.
In her letter, Tobey chides selectmen for not letting the RWA know the letter was on the agenda, so the association could have attended the meeting.
Selectman Priscilla Jenness said letters are just listed as correspondence each week, adding the agenda was posted.
"I don’t believe anyone representing the RWA was there and they had several items on the agenda, the application and sign requests," said Jenness.
Tobey said, when she read the first article, she called Town Hall.
"I am president of the RWA, and I will be away on April 10," said Tobey. "If we were to have a discussion in which we were going to participate, we couldn’t be represented at the time. At this point, we will not participate. We are not up to getting involved in a townwide debate on this, having other things on our agenda."
Tobey said she’d like to see some input from the town on whether residents want the contest.
Lindsey objected to the contest, saying it was cruel and unhealthy for the frogs. She added the frogs are not always put back into their natural habitats, a contest rule.
"They are out on Parsons Field where it is hot and they are in full sun," said Lindsey on Monday. "Some kids step on theirs or release them in the field and they never get back where they belong.
"Plus, I have been studying frogs and people should not be handling them. Frogs drink through their skin and the oils from our hands gets absorbed in their systems. They don’t have a voice, so I decided to speak for them."
Jenness was opposed to the contest when it became an issue in 2000. She hasn’t changed her mind, she said.
"Had the letter from Lindsey Chase reached us, my challenge would have been, What could you find to substitute?’" said Jenness. "Any objections I had were really on behalf of a frog. Providing time for public input was the right thing to do even though it meant that Lindsey would have to come back again."
Tobey, who served as jump judge for many years, said organizers are very careful with how the frogs are treated.
"We tried to be so humane," she said. "I inspected every frog personally. We walked the fields and all kids left with their frog and caretakers. We were always assured they were returned. The frogs enjoyed jumping in the shade. None of the information brought to selectmen was accurate. We always used the event as a teaching experience for children, about caring and consideration. We followed Calaveras County rules and they were posted by the signup area."
Lisa Chase said the frogs were not jumping in the shade.
"I hope this will inspire other kids to stand up for what they feel is right," said Lindsey. "I will speak up for the animals."
Frog event croaks