Resident urges Pinetop Lakeside to form dog‑park stakeholder committee

During the public comment portion of the Pinetop Lakeside Town Council meeting, resident Kenny Kale urged the mayor and council to recognize community interest in a dog park and to convene a committee of stakeholders to revisit options including purpose, design, maintenance, expense estimates, outside funding and location. Kale said several nearby towns lack dog parks and suggested Pinetop Lakeside could cultivate a niche as a “dog vacation destination” for Arizona. Nut graf: Kale asked for an organized, council‑backed approach — a stakeholder committee and realistic cost estimates — rather than an informal petition drive, arguing municipal backing would increase chances of securing donors or grants. Kale acknowledged earlier council rejections of an “excessively expensive” dog‑park proposal but said that a renewed planning process aimed at realistic costs and mitigation of known problems could provide a needed community service. He said the council already had survey data and that an unfunded petition drive would be less effective than a council‑supported planning effort. Council did not take action on Kale’s request during the meeting; the item was presented as public comment and Kale asked for formal recognition and a committee. No motion was made. The matter remains available for council referral or staff study under the town’s open‑meeting rules.