Walter Gray Called Rutland 'Hooterville'

[Aluminium]

Just back from the AM1150 Mayor forum where Walter referred to Rutland as Hooterville! What do you think ladies?

[beachday]

sounds quite accurate! lol he has a great sense of humor!

[Logitack]

it was the biggest gaff of the night. and no one laughed!

[justlooking4work]

LOL lighten up. really? My GF lives in Rutland she thinks it's funny. We're they not going to name the strip club in Rutland Hooterville??

[Kathy73]

I thought it was funny. I'm not offended whatsoever by it. The biggest gaffe of the night IMO would be Sharon's accepting of the donations from the firemen. Not good at all!

[GenesisGT]

Hooterville was a city ahead of it time by having Arnold the Urban

[grammafreddy]

Just back from the AM1150 Mayor forum where Walter referred to Rutland as Hooterville! What do you think ladies?

Context, please?

[Carmencat]

I was wondering the context myself and why the My OP asked the ladies what they thought.

When I hear "Hooterville" I think of the two 60s sitcoms - Green Acres and Petticoat Junction which were set in the fictional hick town of Hooterville. My guess would be that was the Old Gray Mayor's intention when he said Hooterville, rather than something to do with "hooters".

[Queen K]

It's still insulting, context or no context. Just old Walter Gray showing his true colours right before an election. Just confirms everything I've been saying.

[LANDM]

Wow, I thought someone would have been on here providing some historical context for this by now!!!
C'mon, does *nobody* remember the Rutland=Hooterville from decades ago??????????????????

[Urbane]

I was listening to the debate on the radio and the context is quite different than is being presented here. Good grief. He was coaxed (I think by Sharon Shepherd) to say what he had called Rutland and he said "Hooterville" and related how Al Horning had used that term affectionately. Not meant as an insult at all. Is Walter Gray ahead in the polls and are people just trying to find something where there isn't?

[beachday]

Not meant as an insult at all. Is Walter Gray ahead in the polls and are people just trying to find something where there isn't?

You hit it bang on!

[grammafreddy]

I was listening to the debate on the radio and the context is quite different than is being presented here. Good grief. He was coaxed (I think by Sharon Shepherd) to say what he had called Rutland and he said "Hooterville" and related how Al Horning had used that term affectionately. Not meant as an insult at all. Is Walter Gray ahead in the polls and are people just trying to find something where there isn't?

That's why I asked for context. I am supporting Sharon in this election but I sure don't appreciate dirty politics or disrespect for the voters. Calling Rutland "Hooterville" is disrespectful.

Even if coaxed by Sharon or anyone else, I would expect anyone running for any position on council to be above disrespect for voters and refuse to repeat the insult, saying perhaps that he had more respect for the residents of Rutland than to repeat it. He had an "out" and he chose not to use it.

[TimmyE]

I'm was close to making up my mind on who to vote for. I was going to mark my ballot for Sharon, then I heard about the union contribution. Then I was ready to vote for Walter, then bang, the Hooterville comment. Unfortunately, I don't think Walter uses that Hooterville comment to get laughs. I think it is a reflection of his underlying sentiment. Can someone please rise to the top of the heap.

[Aluminium]

About as affectionate as calling the Mission Prickville... I've lived in the Rutland area for years and we have a helluva a time overcoming stigma. This is not going to help... I would like Mr. Gray, the human rights violator, to explain to my young daughter what Hooterville means and how she feels about growing up in Hooterville.