From the Bristol Press website at: http://www.bristolpress.com/articles/2012/05/23/news/doc4fbc4fb2ab2ab211991589.txt

Circus coming to town

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 10:47 PM EDT

By STEVE COLLINS
STAFF WRITER

BRISTOL — After a 12-year hiatus, the Cole Brothers Circus is returning to town next month.

City councilors voted 4-2 Tuesday to approve a deal that will bring the Florida-based big-top circus back.

Though two councilors, Henri Martin and Derek Czenczelewski, voted against the proposal, a majority of councilors said they believe many families in town will take advantage of the chance to see a long-running circus beneath the big top on the former downtown mall property.

“I’m looking forward to taking my son to the circus,” said city Councilor Ken Cockayne.

The critics said they are concerned about allegations the circus mistreats its animals.

Czenczelewski said the circus has allowed wild animals to escape in the past.

He said that if tigers were to break out downtown and attack someone “it would forever taint that site” on which the city has placed so much of its revitalization hopes.

Martin added that wild animals such as tigers and elephants don’t belong in traveling cages after suffering “horrific training.”

Circus representatives have denied mistreating animals, insisting that animal rights activists have targeted them unfairly.

The circus is slated to visit town June 30 and July 1. Ticket prices and other information are not yet available.

Martin said he hopes parents will stay away because taking their children would send a message to them that it is fine to harm animals.

But city Councilor David Mills said he “really believes it’s up to the parents” to decide whether to go or not and that politicians shouldn’t stand in the way.

“It’s an option people should have,” Mills said.

City Councilor Kevin Fuller said circus promoters have offered back-lot tours for councilors who have any qualms about their operations to see for themselves what goes on.

Favoring the circus were Mills, Fuller, Cockayne and Mayor Art Ward. City Councilor Eric Carlson was absent for the special meeting.

The circus last came to town in 2000, when its elephants helped set up the large canvas tent on the former General Motors factory parking lot on Chippens Hill for a Rotary Club fundraiser.

The Cole Brothers circus, which has held shows up and down the East Coast and as far west as Louisiana since 1884, bills itself as remaining “faithful to the tented tradition of presenting wholesome entertainment in a friendly atmosphere” that makes children and adults feel welcome.

The circus includes clowns, a human cannonball, tigers, elephants, acrobats, magicians and more.

###