Good marketing Damron.......

Janesville really needs to get a life ! who cares about a freaking cow statue ? more dumb news from dumbville. who ever called the police should be fined ! sounds more like racist Janesville strikes again.

Thanks MikeF, i thought BLM was corperate owner of Del Tacos!.. now i can sleep at night again. sweet bovine dreams to all and to all a good night !

Not sure why so many are worried about the cow leaving. Read the article - "BLM owns the fiberglass cow, a longtime Janesville landmark that now stands next to the Del Taco".
Considering how BLM is owned by Janesville residents and how much effort went into the repainting, I fail to see why anyone thinks they sold it to Del Taco.

i hope whomever was smart enough to add a clause in the sale contract to keep the cow here !

if we comment somemore, maybe this blog will "rise like cream", and get noticed. before the cow leaves town !

WE liked the Mantilla, Check nearly modern dairy barn around. you will find HARD working hispanics doing a great job! i work with many of these dairys, they could not keep good "american" help, so they had to hispanics or give up milking (that should start some discussions ! )

werp

I contacted the gazette, got this back...

Hello-

Sorry, I can't answer that question for sure. I know I heard a conversation
about it here in the newsroom this week, but I don't know what the result
was, and I can't see that we wrote anything about it.

I'll ask around.

Don't worry, we'll report about the cow, too!!

Thanks.

Ann Marie Ames

Mess with the cow and it comes back to haunt you!

Sorry for trying to resurrect this old thread but we were driving down Milton Avenue this morning and noticed that Del Taco is no more.

put some wheels on that puppy and let her roll around town!
Now thats an idea

Does it really matter who owns her or where she's placed? There's a pink elephant wearing glasses in the parking lot of a gas station in DeForest. When I drive by it, I don't say to myself, "I wonder if the gas station owns it, or if it belongs to the city." I just say, "OMG, there's a pink elephant wearing glasses!!! Sweet!!"

Maybe they could surrond Bessie with a little fence and maybe put a mini barn next to her with a sign that says "Welcome to Janesville" then everyone would know she belongs to everyone in Janesville and not just the nearby businesses.. Just a thought.
I thought she looked pretty dressed up.

Maybe this is a good time to open an ice cream place next to the Cow. Then folks would think the cow belongs to the Ice cream place.
Free Adversising.

I said it when they put the cow so close to the resturant that the resturant would take over the cow. People from out of town will think the cow belongs to the resturant-- that it is their mascot. I think a better place for the cow should be found and soon!

Geez, don't have a cow man!!! Let Bessie alone and then we won't have to listen to all the complaining!

Evansvillehousewife. There is a bunch of us that think the cow pasties are a great idea. You, me, and Jim Halbac...never mind.

momof1- MOST cows, male or female, have horns. Those that don't are bred that way or have them burned off as calves. Same as goats and some sheep. "Polled" breeds have no horns, most cow breeds do have horns.
You take a 1000 degree iron and burn through the skin and tissue to kill the bone that turns into a horn.

Obviously Bessie never got this treatment.

I still want to give her teat pasties.

I am surprised by the range of emotions and gamut of reponses to Bessie as a marketing tool. To some she is an adopted icon of the farm community. To others she is a platform to launch their social views of our hispanic neighbors. To many (like me) the story was an opportunity to make comic relief of what otherwise has been a recent litany of grim news in the Gazette.
*
For those of you who have been offended by my attempts at humor, I apologize. For others who take comfort in Bessie for what she represents to you, I respect your views. For all others who think this is just nonsense, you can go to hell - just kidding of course.

Opinionforfree...your ignorance is showing.

i still say leave the cow alone and let her stay the way she was meant to be. i got to get going i have to take my daily spelling lesson.

There you go again spikesmom what is it with you and agreeing that the owners can dress her up the way they want to, well that is offensive to me I am a Country Girl and Bessie shouldn't be put on display looking corney. Bessie is a part of this community she is American don't degrade her. If I were Bessie I would be disgraced.

I understand tradition and being sentimental and all but, on the other hand...COME ON...it is a statue of a COW! Relax.

why does this cow have horns????

nurse4u. Nobody cares about your kids

well said Babaloo1...reminded me of a quote: "Time wasted laughing is never wasted."
I sincerely hope they don't go the Parker/Craig dressup route either. Visitors wanting their pic with Bessie could care less, whether they're from out-of-state, or shoppers from bordering towns. Why trash up her Utzig-enhanced beauty? Leave Bessie au natural!

I'm putting pasties on her to commemerate the dismissal of charges against the Screemin MeeMees dancers.

It's gona be a deep reach in the pocket to buy four, though. Perhaps I can use glittery stocking caps with pom poms on them...

OMG..thanks MooShoo for the good laugh this morning! I had to stop and wipe the tears away!! I think she does look like she has underwear on her head! And as far as people wasting our time on this whole subject, there are more important things going on locally/nationally. ...sometimes wasting your time and laughing is good for the soul.

Rhinelander Hodag, the Mercer loon or the Hayward muskie. Long live the tacky fiberglass roadside things and the people who take them to heart! Does fighting over a fiberglass cow keep you distracted from losing GM? Was Bessie made with union labor? So many questions so little fiberglass.

I do not have a problem with mexican culture. What I have a problem with is trading mine for theirs. We may have been the "Melting Pot" but Ellis Island has been closed to immigration for many years. Since then, we have successfully managed to bastardize all other cultures to form our own. Wars were fought to establish our country. Why is trying to preserve it looked at as a form of intolerance?

HHMM..Janesville is a diverse city..United States of America is founded on MANY different nationalities..we strive to teach our children tolerance....we talk about CHANGE in our presidential campaigns...and YET, we get upset about nearby Del Taco dressing up Bessie-with clothes that reflect the Mexican culture.
It seems that MOST of you DON'T have a problem with anything BUT the choice of clothing that went on Bessie.
What will our children think??

It is just a fake cow. If local businesses want to pay to dress her up, how is that hurting any of you? I swear people in this city stay awake nights just trying to find something to complain about. You need to harness this energy for good things, not evil. You're probably the same people that push your way through stores, cut me off in traffic, generally just spend your day being as rude to people as possible. Would it kill people in this city to occasionally smile at other people, hold doors open, etc.? Life is way too short. Forget "city of parks"...it should be "city of I'm the only one that matters".

THEY TOOK OUR JAAAABS!

Stop Making Sense!

"Don't have a cow, man!"

My goodness!

Bessie is indeed a huge landmark of Janesville. She is VERY famous. I personally am glad she 'represents' what our area is about. We are a hard working farming area and that is what our country survives on. Decent hard working people who still put their back into their work to keep food on our tables.

I won't sit here and angrily type in bold letters she should be left alone and others should go back to where they came from (otherwise that would leave no one in the US but the Native Americans). Yes whatever the owners want can be done with Bessie, but to me it seemed like an attempt that went a bit haywire. It's hard to mess with an icon like Bessie and not rile people up. I do think some have overreacted, however. It's not worth insulting others about or shipping them back home. And yes, I knew it was a mantilla as soon as I saw it on her, but it did make me wonder why.

So, anyone truly so offended please compose yourself, write a constructive email or letter (kindly and concisely)about your feelings regarding our town's icon and send it off to those owning Bessie. That is what will make a difference, versus insults and ranting/raving. That is how to get things done!

Welcome home Bessie!

Come on, tolerance needs to be learned sometime soon....we are ruining our own world by being such ignorant people. How about everyone leaves except for those who are just EXACTLY like you......hmmmmmm wonder what you would have to complain about then? YOURSELF, maybe? How about having educated thoughts on these topics instead of being so judgemental and calling the kettle black at the drop of a hat?

It looks like spikesmom has nothing better to do than to sit at her computer and nag, opps sorry I got off the subject but this is about Bessie she is being degraded those stupid recordings please press 1 for English well my way of thinking is, you all who can't speak English need to leave. oops I got off subject again My cat is smarter than all of you and yes I have too much time on my hands but I can get away with it. WTG Bessie you are Famous.

hey spikes mom and the rest of you yahoos. I for one do not have way too much time on my hands. I work a full time job and the week before last I was sand baggin up in Newville untill I couldn't do it any more , So if I want to make a few comments about the cow and other subjects to ease my stress so be it. it seems that the ones who want to make their comments in here get the whiplash from some of you yahoos who have nothing better to do than complain about our spelling or what ever else you can dream up to complain about so with out further adooooooo (yes i spelled it wrong)
I hope you have a great day and remember STAY SAFE!!

HAAAAA HAAAAAA

Would there still be the same uproar on this board if McD's had put Ronald McDonald hair on her? I think not. You people have way too much time on your hands if this little thing is upsetting you so much.

Did someone complain about the veins on the utters????? OMG......OMG......OMG LMAO

People actually took the time to phone the police????? and we actually have an article in the local newspaper about it???? OMG, arent there like flooded people who need help or a homeless shelter you could go offer your time to???? Some obviously have too much time on their hands.....

Well, I got to see the veil thing yesterday. It seriously wasn't size appropriate to really get the point across. It should have been way bigger and way more obvious if they wanted to really draw the attention they intended. With that said, too bad mistakes aren't forgiven in Janesville. I really wish you "Bessie Owners" luck in making this segregated city happy. :o(

GREAT IDEA!!! WE LOVED IT.... to bad some people have such small minds that it takes so little to get offended or bent out of shape. LETS FLATTEN the WORLD and PAINT IT GREAY, Then no one can be offended (hopefully i wont have to come back and expain the sarcasm of the last statement, or the meaning of sarcasm....)

LOL

I think Bessie should throw her name in the hat for School Board. She has the qualifications. Been in town for 40 years and not leaving anytime soon. Kids love her. Most people respect her except a few who want to throw her in the river. She is bilingual - can moo in English and in Spanish. And best of all, she will never say anything stupid at School Board meetings.

WOW, guess Janesville now has another distinction:
.
In addition to being the town of fast food and all-you-can-eat buffets, it also totally lacks a sense of humor.
.
C'mon, folks, lighten up.

Go! Bessie, Go! I don't care what they put on you. You're the second most popular discussion already, and will outlive us all to boot.

no I'm just getting tired of all this bending over to be politicaly correct. they offend me when they speak spanish in front of me and now they want to change an american cow into a mexican cow? come on give us americans a break. press one to speak english?? why even have that on the recordings?? this is america speak the language or LEAVE!! (OH I'M SORRY I GOT OFF THE SUBJECT!!) Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
have a nice day and STAY SAFE!!!!!

I'm cool with the hat, but is the vein detail on the utters really necessary?

Janesville's prejudice is showing through this thin veil.

Okay... so how do we translate "Moo" from English to Spanish?? Doesn't make sense... Why does Bessie have anything to do with Del Taco? Little confused to the significance. Hail to the great cow Bessie!.. But leave the Mexican reference out!! She's as American as the RED, WHITE AND BLUE!!

WHY DO YOU GUYS EVEN CARE?

WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL?

I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHILE PEOPLE GET BENT OUT OF SHAPE BY SOMEONE DRESSING A COW. I GET WHAT SHE REPRESENTS FOR OUR CITY, BUT SERIOUSLY...CALLING THE POLICE?

Bessie The Cow is not a Mexican come on people take the weird Mexican thing off her and I really don't care about the Del Taco it should leave Janesville Bessie is an American Cow not Mexican as far as Menards is concerned Bessie shouldn't be near there lets give Bessie the respect she needs you are degrading her when you put her next to a Mexican Chain Restaurant

Wow people. How much time are we going to waste arguing over a fake cow? Yeah, the mexican headdress was a mistake (I thought it was vandalism), but c'mon...let's all take a deep breath and move on. WE as a city do not own the cow so it really does not even matter what we think.

Good grief! I cannot understand all this loyalty to a stupid cow! I suspect my lack of sentiment toward Bessie is due to my not being raised in Janesville. Menard's owns the creature and is ruler of her future. And, why is everyone so filled with hate for Del Taco? I give the place my business because it is open 24/7. I am sometimes late getting off to work and in need of breakfast ... and I hate eggs!

I thought that Bessie was "dressed-up" as a end-of-the school year prank.

Remember the alamo!!!! pretty soon it will be press "2" for english. oh and leave the cow alone .........sheeeesh

We could mount her on top of the 100 foot cell tower proposed for the 4H Fairgrounds. No vandals or cross dressers could reach her up there. What a perfect place, out there promoting cowdum for everyone to see.

You guys are silly.I am in California reading this and you have done exacty what they have wanted you to do, good bad or indiferent you have created a buzz. Now I am for not dressing up the cow, as a kid traveling across country I remember monuments like this and thought they were cool. We have a giant donut here. Also in a way she is still supporting the dairy industry, Del uses freshly grated cheddar cheese everyday. You guys should give our home town local monument it self established in 1965 in the desert, a chance.

right on amybelk. Smelltaco should have NEVER opened. and to put bessie right there is a TERRIBLE idea.

Toss Bessie in the river and use her as a measuring stick for future flooding!

That cow is NOT crooked. Bessie is simply "curtseying" to all her weird Janesville fanatical followers. However, if it was a horse with that kind of a limp, it would be shot.

Have you noticed that if you look at the cow from the front, she leans to one side, they put it up crooked.

Not to change the subject, but I say horse apples Cocktail. Bessie has been hanging out by the interstate buck nekkid for forty years. Time to change her image.

Small town marketing is funny. We got a good chuckle about this bonehead move at the office today.

I an udderly fiberglasted and ready to lose my cowposure. I know some of you have been milking this topic and making hay at Bessie's expense. I for one am not ready to put it out to pasture...yet.

YO TEST CALM DOWN!!!! ALL PRAY TO PLASTIC COW!!!

Testerrific: yes there is still a war on, and people are picking up their lives from flooded homes and businesses. There is much wrong with our world that we just cannot change no matter how hard we try.
It is just that reason why some of us, silly as it may be, to try to concentrate our efforts on keeping a large fiberglass cow from being dressed up in a unfitting manor. This is something that we care about and perhaps can make a change. This silly concern is the kind of thing that keeps people from totally going into despair over the much larger things that they cannot change where as perhaps some small change could be accomplished with kepping Bessie..Bessie.

I know it is not earth shattering as to what happens to a 16' cow,and wheather or not she is private property, dressed up or used for advertising, but to a few of us at least she means something more,something special, and we would like to keep it that way.

Wonder is Bessie is enjoying her 15 plus minutes of fame? We better be careful, her head may grow out of proportion.

C'mon don't you know that local matters Tester and Gwendt! And Bessie is about as local as you can get. She is a thing of Bovine Beauty. Udders to die for if you know what I mean. Four perfect plastic teats nestled under 16 feet of beautiful beef. Let's not trivialize important issues.

holy cow !!! Can we keep our emotions in check?? last time i checked, we were not a rebelious little dictatorship in Africa or South America !!!! Just cause the Supreme Court ruled on the 2nd Amendment today, don't be rushing to the gun shops IMMEDIATELY !!!

Is there still a war going on in Iraq? The war must be over, because so many people have so much time to get worked up over an ugly plastic cow. CITIZENS OF JANESVILLE!! Let's all join forces and focus on important things, and then the important things might actually be solved someday. I say, douse that hideous false idol in gasoline, light a match, and then go to Del Taco and eat a beef burrito out of respect.

NEWSFLASH ~ Bessie isn't for sale....she was already purchased. Why on earth would the city buy her when they didn't have anything to do with her existence in the first place? Silly silly silly. I just laugh at some of you, you really get yourselves in a tizzy over NOTHING.....I do agree though that if the cow starts taking on advertisement, it will be vandaled. That is obvious.

I was in Janesville this past week to visit my sister..and got to see...and take pics of Bessie. Then a few days later....as we were
heading for Madison....we noticed she looked a
bit different...and checked her out later..upon our return. I think the people have spoken.....they want Bessie...as Bessie.
Wonder if they will continue to "dress her up"??? ( I am hoping to get a t shirt )

Never mess with perfection they should of left her the way she was!!

I hate to break it to you Twerp13, but Bessie is a "Privately Owned Cow". She is a kept woman playing to the whims of her owner's wishes. They could put a "tat" on her rear and we could not do a thing about it.

I honestly thought somebody has tossed lingerie on her.

YES !!!! The city should spend the money and buy the cow ! She is a landmark, just like the Tallman house or our parks. It may seem trivial, but to many of us she is more than just a cow statue. I would be willing to help any group for setting up a fundraiser to purchase her and give her dignity back.

In these uncertain times that seem like they are going to get worse before they can get better, we need to be able to hold onto something that is good. Bessie is that something we need. It would be a small price to pay to keep up our communities spirts.

As I said before I have fond memories of that cow. I remember driving home from vactions as a kid (and even now), and as we drove past Bessie on our way, I knew I was finaly home when I saw her.

Anyone else beside me think she could use some assessories to go with that outfit? Something dainty, like a new manhole cover on logging chain hanging delicately around her neck. She would be the envy of the herd.

It is a cow.....a Privately Owned Cow. They can make her wear what she wants. Do you really want the city (who some think is going to be desolate because GM is leaving)to spend tax money on a cow????? ha ha ha

As somewhat of a self described expert on the subject of cows, I say mooove her next to a Victoria's Secrets and see what they can put on the old gal.

expanding on my comment earlier this morning, I'm with everyone in here as far as let Bessie be Bessie, not a commercial exploit for ANY company/corperation, new or otherwise... she represents us as being a part of our history, the DAIRY LAND!! why don't people from the community bring this up at the next counsel meeting?? at this point, Bessie is more than just an icon... she's apart of our city's history... why allow for a newance for something so important to occur when she was just fine to begin with??

Bessie is a classy cow put her in a classy place. Del-taco, and menards is not the place for this Janesville icon

Let's get serious folks.....dressing up a cow? What is our society turned into? Are we getting dumbed down??

Am I the only person who saw Bessie and knew her 'attire' was connected to Del Taco??? (Without having to read it in the paper???) Good grief! What a change it would be if there were more people that actually LIKED living in Janesville and appreciated the community and other citizens instead of always slamming every little thing. Dang!

Leave Bessie alone!! She represents Janesville's dairy and farming history. Adding anything detracts from what she is. Decorating and advertising on her will just encourage OTHER vandals. Leave he alone!!

Take the cow back and put her downtown for everyone to see

Looks like someone put their underwear on her head.....

leave it the way it is. that cow in now way, shape, or form should be used as a marketing tool for that taco dump.

Holy Cow (pun intended)! What were they thinking?!? Leave Bessie alone! Al Utzig and Co. did a great job reviving her to her former self..let her relax and enjoy the sunshine!

I would have to agree this wasn’t a good choice of attire for Bessie. Those unfamiliar with the origins of this headwear may find it offensive. I think the Craig and Parker high school attire makes more sense. The city could create a safe way to attach a small sign for local businesses to advertise, which could be rotated monthly. The money generated from the advertising could help offset the cost to maintain the statue and possibly create a nicer area surrounding it. If enough money was generated other area landmarks could be created.

ok I do agree that there are more inportant things to worry about but please. The cow is in Janesville WI. Not mexico.Leave the cow alone it is a cow.Janesville should buy the cow. That would make more cents the the other things that are taxes go for that are not needed. Waterpark & tunnel for bike path among other things.

hiredgun...that's nature...it's more natural than a stupid Mexican head dress on an all American cow. Do you loose your dignity when nature calls?

This would be about equivelant of my complaining about that house on Milton ave that has no front yard because they choose to put in so many lawn ornaments and flowers that I get dizzy driving by. Not my thing, but not my business.

And REALLY...is this something to waste your energy on? OMG there are more important things going on to get upset about....such as all the orphaned carp at the United Way!! haha

PROARTIST ~ I believe you are mistaken when you believe taxpayers are responsible for Bessie's upkeep. The article plainly states that 'BLM owns the fiberglass cow, a longtime Janesville landmark that now stands next to the Del Taco, Damron said.'. So, they have the right to do whatever they see fit. Tacky yes, but it is their choice and their property.

LydiaR--

Cow and dignity?? Puleeze! Have you ever seen a cow leave a cowpie? Not much dignity there!

We will be known as the city with the dressed up cow...kinda like those silly geese people put on their porches..LMAO

Leave the cow alone! I thought it was a loose garbage bag when I saw it.

http://wclo.com/weblogs/rose-stricker/20...

Matthew Wisniewski's photograph even captures the apparent disgust in Bessie's face. Good job Matthew.

What has this town turned to, That was cheap to dress that symbol of Janesville with a mexican head dress. I here the flushing sound!

Put the GM oh I mean the Janesville flag on her

Bessie still has to press 1 for English.

Sounds like someone needs to put Bessie to sleep if she is going to wear a silly hat

her not here

We should put a big fiberglass baked potato next to here. mmmmmmmm

Yes Bessie was used to sell WISCONSIN cheese and to promote the resturant/gift shop. She was a marketing tool that caught the eye of many travlers who stoped and spent money here in Janesville.
I remember going out to visit her when I was a kid and we would stop to eat at the Oasis on Friday nights (gotta have that traditional fish fry). and every year I would get my picture taken next to her just to show how much I had grown.

I also have seen our Bessie on Americas's funniest videos a couple of times, with the Oasis sitting in the back ground. Now those are the kind of memories I want to pass along to my daughter, not one of Bessie dressed up to look like a fool. She is a icon and a tourist attraction that many people look forward to seeing.
Don't change her... she is what she is a 16" fiberglass cow who deserves to be left the way she always has been (other than paint touch ups and repairs of course)

At first glance, I thought they had adorned her head with a giant thong....ugh.

cows, cows, cows, - they have a Wisconsin cow in the mall now. Mooooove along to the Badger store & see it!!! with the cow in Milton. do we have to worry about a stampede? lol

If these people are only going to use the cow as a marketing toy, then I don't even want to drive over there to that area.

The next time Stan Milam calls the island of Guernsey, they should hang up on him.

username: Don't you know that Bessie was originally put at the Oasis to sell cheese?

Yes, she was ""used" as a marketing tool".

Her "sole purpose" was not "intended for the state and the conection to dairy".
It was to SELL cheese.

garyprimer, I think that YouTube reference flew a fiberglass cow's height over the heads of most!
.
My only comment is this old Onion piece (from their Madison days, actually):
http://origin.theonion.com/content/node/...

It's their cow, but I think that they are unwittingly encouraging acts of vandalism by altering the statue's appearance. I could elaborate, but will abstain for fear of providing any ideas to some of the bright young minds out there. Let's not turn this into a problem that will consume precious JPD resources.

The city should of bought her ! So things like this couldn't become a issue. Yes Bessie is a Janesville Icon and she should belong to the city. Perhaps they still could if the developer would allow them to. That way poor old Bessie wouldn't have to go through all that riddicule of having to be "dressed up". I myself was shocked and disappointed that she was vandalized like that.

The only thing I like seeing Bessie dressed up in is the large wreath that she wears at Christmas. Otherwise let her be. My gosh why mess with perfection? People love her the way she is, not what she is wearing.

"BLM owns the fiberglass cow, a longtime Janesville landmark that now stands next to the Del Taco, Damron said."

Pro-Artist: "If Bessie is a traditional Janesville icon and taxpayers finance her upkeep" That is not true, this company owns her, so I guess it is theirs to do with what they want.

(corrected copy)
In all the previous years that Bessie stood her ground at the Oasis was she "used" as a marketing tool other than what the sole purpose was intended for the state and the connection to dairy. I don't believe she was dressed up to promote multiple companies. Don't use or abuse a good thing for crying out loud. If that is where we are headed then I say let Bessie go and let her roam the fields of Wisconsin. If we need to let's start a campaign to keep Bessie free from marketing guru's.

In all the previous years that Bessie stood her ground at the Oasis was she "used" as a marketing tool other than what the sole purpose was intended for the state and the conection to dairy. I don't believe she was dressed up to promote multiple companies. Don't use or abuse a good thing for crying out loud. If that is where we are headed then I say let Bessie go and let her roam the fields of Wisconin. If we need to let's start a campaign to keep Bessie free marketing guru's.

Ningunos sombreros en vacas!!!

Personally I could care less if Del Taco is in town & who cares if the cow happens to be near it. We don't need a spanish cow. Although I don't have a problem with occassional dress up to bring attention to it or for fun, with a focus on on Janesville, not a another country. I do think this could encourage vandalism though or give someone an idea that may not be appropriate.

I'm not angry, Chris Crocker is angry. ;-)

gary i think you just need to go lay down for a little while, your angry.

Aside Bessie is not mexican, please take the hat off her. Lord knows we dont need any more mexican anything in janesville WISCONSIN, had about enough of it.

Leave Bessie alone Please…. !
Leave Bessie the Cow alone!…right now!….I mean it.!

Anyone that has a problem with her you deal with me, because she is not well right now.

LEAVE HER ALONE!

Why not just leave Bessie alone....let her keep her dignity and just be what she is......A COW...you start placing school colors someone will most likely get up set about their school time...Doesn't the BLM have better things to do with their money?

If Bessie is a traditional Janesville icon and taxpayers finance her upkeep, why are commercial ventures allowed to use "her" for their private promotions? Could Menards have put a tool belt around her middle for THEIR grand opening? Will other national franchises have a crack at "dressing her"? Could local photographers rent her out for use as a wedding backdrop? Use of our icon for promotions is simply tacky. Is there a sign on location stating she is representing Janesville and not tacos? This is another "slippery slope" that I don't think Janesville wants to go down if the aim for all is to improve the city's image.

i never understood why they put that on bessie... why couldn't they have just let her be herself?; a beautiful 16' bovine that represents janesville as a farming community in opposition to commercial and economic expanstion... why not remember janesville as it was, not what it's becoming??