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The Fayetteville Observer, N.C., Myron Pitts column
[August 09, 2011]

The Fayetteville Observer, N.C., Myron Pitts column


Aug 09, 2011 (The Fayetteville Observer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- City Council members might get a chance to re-visit one of their worst recent decisions, when they needlessly helped separate an autistic boy from his cherished pet.



We don't always get a second chance to do things right. Federal officials appear ready to help usher council members along in their decision-making.

In 2009, the council deadlocked 5-5 on whether Anthony Pia, then 10, and his family could continue to provide a home for Loopey, a black potbellied pig who had become the boy's trusted companion. The tie vote was effectively a "no," and Loopey's family took him to Jambbas Ranch, off Cedar Creek Road, where he has remained.


The vote upheld a city ordinance that bans residents from keeping pigs inside city limits.

Now, the Department of Housing and Urban Development stepped in to tell the city to "make accommodations for the family to have the pig," according to an email Councilman D.J. Haire sent to colleagues. HUD got involved when Anthony's parents, Lisa Pia and Bobby Tibbetts, filed a housing discrimination complaint.

Several weeks ago, I went by Jambbas on another matter and inquired about Loopey.

Ranch owner James Bass III started talking about the Pia family's devotion. They come by daily, he said, to see the little pig.

You probably couldn't get a better sign of Loopey's value to his family.

The family's steadfastness is understandable. Good parents want what's best for their children.

In 2009, Anthony's parents said his behavior changed for the better when he befriended Loopey. They came to council meeting with supporters, who wore T-shirts depicting the boy and the pig.

A website, Loopey for Autism, was posted and drew more than 5,000 signatures from people asking the council to amend the ordinance.

I was there for much of the council discussion in '09, and a good deal of it frankly did not apply to the case at hand.

Councilwoman Val Applewhite emailed to her colleagues information that portrayed potbellied pigs as aggressive. Other council members refused to draw a distinction between the kind of pig someone might raise as a farm animal, vs. potbellieds, which are undersized and mainly considered pets.

Those voting to allow Loopey to stay were Mayor Tony Chavonne, Keith Bates, D.J. Haire, Ted Mohn and former council member Charles Evans, who is now a county commissioner.

Those voting no were Applewhite, Bill Crisp, Bobby Hurst, Robert Massey and former council member Wesley Meredith, now a state representative. Councilwoman Kady Ann Davy was not on the council at the time.

As for what happens now, we'll have to wait. None of the involved parties divulged many details, as the HUD investigation continues.

Applewhite told me Monday her position hasn't changed.

The city may not get a vote at all if the HUD decision takes the form of a federal order.

But I still have hope that if council members get another shot, they'll use both their hearts and heads and wind up in the right place this time.

Columnist Myron B. Pitts can be reached at [email protected] or 486-3559.

To see more of The Fayetteville Observer, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.fayettevillenc.com/. Copyright (c) 2011, The Fayetteville Observer, N.C. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com.

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