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Mayor proclaims Breeze the town’s official American bald eagle; trainer from Land on Sky speaks to crowd
Summary
Mayor Stephanie Erwin read a proclamation naming Breeze the official American bald eagle of Pinetop Lakeside; John Glitzos of Land on Sky and trainers described Breeze’s background and upcoming public exhibitions.
Mayor Stephanie Erwin on the record proclaimed Breeze the official American bald eagle of Pinetop Lakeside and introduced representatives from Land on Sky who brought a trained eagle to the meeting for recognition.
Erwin read a proclamation describing Breeze as an American bald eagle that was transferred to Land on Sky in October 2023 after treatment at a rehabilitation facility in Buffalo, New York; the proclamation said Breeze was deemed nonreleasable due to a broken wing. John Glitzos, identified in the meeting as affiliated with Land on Sky and the nature center, described the bird’s training and public appearances. "We have been bringing Breeze out every other day or so, and she did come out on July 4. And the people that were there were thrilled," Glitzos said.
Glitzos and the trainers told the council that Breeze has been used in free‑flight demonstrations and that public shows have been heavily attended. "We're sold out for the next 8 or 9 days. It's been like that all season," Glitzos said. He also said Land on Sky received Breeze from a rehabilitation facility and that the organization uses positive‑reinforcement training.
Why it matters: the proclamation is ceremonial; it recognizes a local wildlife education exhibit and highlights an educational partnership between the town and a nonprofit nature organization. Council members and citizens praised the bird and the exhibit; the proclamation referenced National American Bald Eagle Day (June 20) and Independence Day appearances.
On the record details and clarifications: the proclamation text as read in the meeting referred to a transfer request from a federal rehabilitation facility; the meeting transcript used the phrase "United States Fish and Game Department." The U.S. agency responsible for wildlife transfers is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the article notes the documentary citation as read during the meeting but corrects the agency name to the conventional federal title when used outside of direct quote. Glitzos said the bird arrived at Land on Sky in October 2023 and was nonreleasable; the town did not record any formal regulatory action tied to the proclamation.
No formal council action beyond the ceremonial proclamation was recorded.
