Animal Advisory Implosion at BCCMissed the Tuesday afternoon meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, but, through the wonders of the Electronic Age I got to watch early this morning. Here's a running recap, including the implosion of the Animal Control Advisory Committee ... The opening ceremonies, minus BCC Chairman Wendell Davis, included recognizing Memorial Day. An NJROTC unit handled Color Guard duties and the Navy sent a band to play the National Anthem. Several veterans were in attendance. As the ceremony closed and the vets began to leave, Commissioner Ronnie Robinson asked that they all come forward so the Commissioners could shake their hands. Classy touch, Ronnie. Vice Chairman Chereese Stewart is running things. She made a brief comment about Wendell not being able to make the meeting, but no explanation as to where the Chairman is today. Maybe he's at a Florida Association of Realtors meeting, tending to business. Anyway, I like the way Chereese runs a meeting. She's so unpretentious. Calls the other Commissioners "guys" and "fellas" instead of by title. Down to business, Commissioner Doug Conkey (who, as a recent Navy vet, read the earlier Memorial Day Resolution) gives an update of the April 16 BCC Workshop, including its four key priorities in "where this county's going to go." 1. Improving customer service. (OK, that one's a given at any business, public or private.) 2. Budget development, short- and long-term. (That should be fun.) 3. How to address funding for transportation infrastructure, short- and long-term. (Thought we already decided to sell our roads to some foreigners and let 'em build some toll booths.) 4. Maintaining a viable budget to ensure the county's future quality of life. (The plan: Buy old lamps at yard sales and start rubbing.) The Consent Agenda includes just one item pulled, that by Conkey. It concerns the approval of an agreement with the Utility Authority about hooking sewage services to a fire station. Conkey points out that failed septic tanks must be replaced by sewage services when available, as required by state law. The next item was innocently listed as "Continuation of a Public Hearing to consider the adoption of an ordinance repealing and rescinding Ordinance No. 2008-34." One of those things citizens reading an agenda remain clueless about until the Board begins talking about it, or, as often happens, talking around it. Chereese opens the so-far unknown topic, then hands the discussion over to County Attorney Mark Scruby quickly enough to make regular BCC watchers know there's some potential for controversy headed our way. Scruby says they're continuting their investigation and discovery and wants the Board to move the item to its next meeting. The four Commissioner agree without question and, just like that, county business has once again been conducted in the broad light of government in the sunshine - and yet anyone listening remains absolutely clueless as to the topic of what just got postponed. Next up is some New Business. The Board wants to set a fee schedule for permits required by the Florida Building Code. The new schedule would replace an old, often-amended one. Doug wants to know if the new schedule will be posted online. Ronnie Robinson wants to know if all the fees would change, but County Manager Fritz Behring explains that only some would. The public hearing goes without comment (I'd bet that happens more than 80 percent of the time) and the schedule passes unanimously (I'd bet that happens more than 80 percent of the time, too.) Tax Collector Jimmy Weeks is here to talk about moving the driver's license bureau into the Tax Collector's Office. Get your licenses now, folks. Green Cove's license bureau will be phased in June 8, and closed the week before that. Later on the OP office will be moved to Weeks' office, too. Conkey reminds folks that the state has raised a lot of fees. Audience seats that were filled earlier in the meeting with veterans are now nearly empty, the camera shows. Attendance is down to the usual single-digit total. Those hardy few got to watch a discussion about reducing a $179,000 code enforcement lien. They interrupt that item for some research and move on to a discuss a revision in the sign code ordinance. It's just something about a subdivision that wants to put up an entrance sign, and the BCC sends it along to its alter-ego, the Planning Commission. Next up are Gail Arrowsmith and Bill Clarke from the Animal Control Advisory Committee. Arrowsmith said the committee is self-destructing and made a $50,000 personal donation to start a local animal welfare fund. She proposes working toward a no-kill animal control, providing a couple of examples of other successful government programs. She supports higher adoption fees and mandatory spaying before adoptions. Clarke, who helped create the advisory committee, says it has become dysfunctional and even destructive. It serves "absolutely no purpose." Commends outgoing CCAC director Connie Goon for trying to work with them. Also urges adjusting the adoption fees. The group of supporters and rescuers formed by Goon, he says, will be more effective and much less "adversarial" than the official government advisory committee he helped form. Ronnie asks Arrowsmith if she had resigned from the committee and she answers affirmatively. She formally resigned Monday, along with her recommendation to disband the adversarial ACAC. Cummings asks for a copy of the final report she submitted to the committee. With no additional discussion or official action concerning its appointed Citizens Advisory Committee, the County Commission moves on. Scruby's back with some information about the costs of lawyers involved in the previously-discussied $179K code enforcement lien and the request to reduce it. Lawyers cost about $2,800, so the Commissioners tack that on to a $5,000 fine recommended by a special magistrate we Clay County taxpayers are enriching, and without discussion the fine goes from $179,000 to $7,800 with the unanimous approval of the Board. (My son recently recounted a conversation with a female acquaintance who'd candidly and almost boastfully claimed that she could easily spend a millionaire boyfriend into bankruptcy. Funny how I thought of that right now.) Fritz and Mark don't have any business to discuss, so they're on to Letters of Action. Mark describes an escheatment deed. Long story short - the county now owns some useless property in Pier Station. Doug asks if it will join SHIP's county inventory of affordable housing. Chereese said the county retains the option to sell the property if it doesn't qualify. Next was acceptance of Arrowsmith's letter of resignation. Al Lowry also submitted a letter of resignation from the same Animal Control Advisory Committee. Both are accepted. Letters of Documentation brings a question from Ronnie, who attended all of the advisory committee's meeting, to Fritz about his thoughts on abolishing the committee. Ronnie reminded everyone that the advisory group was formed by the previous County Commission and that he, too, thinks it is useless and disruptive. The County Manager said the committee was created "by some activists" who came to him. The former Board thought it was a good idea to try it, and there were some positive and some negative things that came out of the committee. The Board can probably get the positives from people in the community without the official advisory board, which can no longer even form a quorum with three resignations among the five members. Ronnie calls for abolition of the group, but Chereese suggests handling that at the next County Commission meeting. At least one person has volunteered to fill a vacancy. Travis agrees to wait before appointing three people for vacancies. With that, the streaming video ends. No Public Comments, no Commissioners' Comments at the end of the meeting. That's pretty disappointing. Have to find out why. Submitted by USMA72 on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 10:10am.
Where are all the critics when something good is said about the head of CCAC? Submitted by OneMann on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 10:45am.
Ms. Arrowsmith certainly provided her personal bright spot, and put her money where her mouth and, more likely, heart are. Pet overpopulation is the root of Clay County's animal control problem. That woman's gift will help enable a program that will provide very low cost spaying and neutering for animals that are adopted out of Animal Control. Pets will lead healthier, happier lives without creating generations of future problems. The program Ms. Arrowsmith is paying for is one the county should adopt and fund when the initial endowment is exhausted. It may well result in an increase in the adoption fees to cover the low spay/neuter costs. That's fine by me. Anyone who can't afford another $30 or so in adoption fees can't really afford to adopt a pet anyway. When the County Commission gets around to the discussion of raising that Animal Control fee, I'd suggest that they talk another fee, too. Even the most responsible pet owner can make a mistake and end up having to bail a dog or cat out of the pound. Stuff happens. But repeat offenders are irresponsible citizens, helping create or exacerbate a problem that financially burdens all taxpayers. Let's raise the bail on the dogs and cats of repeat offenders while we're at it, increasing the fee with the number of offenses, so the real problem - irresponsible pet owners - is addressed more directly.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 11:06am.
The critics are the ones that unleashed Mr. Bill Clark (founder of the committee) on CCAC. When Mr. Clark observed that the majority of the people attending the committee meetings were CCAC employees and Mrs. Goon, and CCAC employees were the ones trying to move CCAC forward while the critics were only involved and concerned with grabbing power and dicating to CCAC how CCAC will run things, it became very clear who wanted to save animals and who were only concerned in gaining power and control. Three of the committe members turned on the other two in a power grab because those three wanted power over CCAC and the other two wanted to save animals. I warned the critics long ago that if the committee did not go in with an open mind and no personal agenda's they could do great things for CCAC. They did not heed the warning and they self destructed. Mr. Clark, and the two other committee members that were trying to save animal lives is now working directly with CCAC. Mrs. Goon, even after her retirement and proof in her dedication for her love and concerns for animals is going to be doing volunteer work at CCAC. TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill. Submitted by Angela on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 11:23am.
The bright spot that I've seen is the retirement of the animal control director. I think the donation that has been made was a nice gesture. However the suggestion of higher adoption fees and mandatory altering of the animals prior to adoption. Well that is already required by Fl Law. FSS 823.15 Dogs and cats released from animal shelters or animal control agencies; sterilization requirement.-- The only way to stop the problem is a mandatory program that requires all animals to be altered or the owner pays for a yearly license of 75.00 each for all unaltered animals. Short and simple. Then you require all pet owners to pay for a yearly license of 10.00 for altered animals. Then the program could fund itself. Well unless she intends to give a 50k donation yearly, which would be a nice gesture as well.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 11:37am.
I think CCAC has been working on this as well. They have been going over ideas for some time now on changing some of the laws. They have been looking at other counties and comparing and contrasting. When completed they will submit it to the BOCC. How far along they are, I could not tell you. In the interim they are working with a low cost spay/nueter operation out of Jax. They are going to CCAC and picking up animals from CCAC taking them to Jax for Spay and nueter and bringing them back to CCAC. By raising the adoption rate by about just $30.00 they can create a relolving door type system for thier spay and nueter program. You pay about 80-90 dollars and you get an animal already spayed and nutuered. In the past you pay 50 for the dog then anywhere from 60 to 100 bucks for spay or nueter depending on the size of the dog. In any event this is a great program and deal for those that want to adopt. TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill. Submitted by AnnasGramie on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 4:14pm.
Licensing is not a bad idea, but how do you enforce it? I once lived in a community that had someone going door to door taking an animal census, but even that didn't work. if someone chooses not to license their pet (and many in Clay probably would not) I don't see how it can be enforced unless the animal is picked up for some reason. I think it's a shame to disband the Committee before it's really had a chance to get established. If those looking for control have now resigned, the Commissioners need to appoint three individuals who do not have an agenda or an axe to grind. There are plenty of animal lovers in Clay County so I'm certain they can find them.
Submitted by joeriley08 on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 5:05pm.
AG, I agree with you that enforcing the licensing would be a very hard thing to enforce. Just look at how many unlicensed drivers there are on the road.. The ONLY way they get caught is if they are pulled over for some reason. I know that if someone came knocking on my door to do an animal census I would send them packing as I feel they have no right to come into my home. Much like the county cannot just come knocking on your door to see if you are violating any building codes by having too many people in your home OR too many cords plugged into one electrical outlet. As far as the committee or "board" disbanding. Personally I feel that is was doomed from the beginning as there was no real structure to the meetings or a clear positive goals. To keep that from happening again I feel that the "chair" needs to be one of the County Comissioners so that the meetings would have some decorum and structure. ANGELA, Your statement about the Connie Goon retiring being the "bright spot" was quite uncalled for (IMHO). Also, on a side note, one of your favorite acronyms (S.L.A.P.P.) does not apply to her any longer as she IS in-fact retired and now enjoys the FULL rights to sue the pants off of those that decide that libelious or slanderous remarks are the direction in which they wish to travel. Just my thoughts....
Submitted by kilroy on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 9:19pm.
What this County needs is a good dose of Fairy Dust. Is there a realistic "animal license" fee that would generate enough revenue to cover the expense of the license? OM, your on the right track, but impound fee's are only one issue, Violation fines should also cost repeat offenders more. Animal owners that allow their unaltered animal to run at large should also pay more in both impound fees and Violation fines. When a dog attacks/bites a person or another animal the owner should be fined at a higher rate. In the near future "should" will become "will" hopefully. AG, licensing is a great idea, not for the individuals that own pets, but for the breeders and pet shops that profit from the sale of animals. If the changes are approved, offenders will be the only ones to suffer the consequences of their irresponsibility. Responsible pet owners won't even notice the changes. Please go to: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/FL380.html Submitted by BigAl on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 11:49pm.
What alot of you are feeding these people, is simply the distortion of the truth. The committee did not "self-destruct" or "implode"! I DID go to all of the meetings, listened to the ideas, requested public information (which some I still have not received), and had conversations with Mr. Behring and CCAC employees (including Connie Goon). All of this was being reviewed in order to advise the BCC and the County Manager (as outlined in the committee resolution), to make CCAC work more efficiently! Why was the committee formed? Was it the negative press on the "52 animal" scandle? Was it the illegal experiment that Mr. Bodenweber conducted and Connie Goon signed the USDA's "investigation" paperwork? How about the numerous animals that were being euthanized (aprox. 80+% around Nov. 2008)? Maybe it was the numerous complaints concerning public safety, that nothing seemed to be done about? It all adds up to problems that were not being handled by the "management" whose job was to solve them! Something had to be done, it was getting way out of control!! As Mr. Behring stated, "some activists came to him" to start this committee. They had only one thing on their mind and that was "save the animals"! The appointments were made, Bill Clark begged at least 3 members to vote Dianne Frazier as Chair (one of these "activists"), and the meetings began. I know that everyone of these people were true to their conviction to make CCAC better. Dianne Frazier, was definetely not familiar with operational procedures and myself, Deborah, and Bette tried to help Dianne with suggestions of reading "Robert's Rules" and sending other examples for her review. Dianne would "have her feelings hurt" and relaliate with viscious e-mails. Where was Gail? She kept pretty quiet until Bette Danse resigned and then donates 50K, THAT'S ONE WAY TO GET SPECIAL RECOGNITION!!! Meeting after meeting we had to explain,that to save these animals, you could not keep asking taxpayers to "foot the bill" for all the great programs! The 3 of us knew that MONEY was needed to fund these programs and 3 of us were looking for a way to find this money. We felt that "Animal Control" should be run like a business, become more "self-supporting" (relieving the burden from the taxpayers), and become a "NO KILL" shelter where they would also be eligible for Government funding and grants. Well, the meetings continued to be out of control and at least 2 of us e-mail nicely and asked Dianne to resign as Chair, but still stay on the committee. Instead, several attacks from CCAC employees, Bill Clark, and people we did not even know occurred. Connie Goon even stated, "I told them in the beginning this committee would self-destruct!" If you don't believe me, request to hear the tapes! What happened to the committee? First, in my opinion, the Chair was to close to Connie Goon (she was a volunteer at CCAC and spoke frequently with her), she was easily manipulated, she was not familiar with operational procedures and did not follow rules or conduct herself as a leader, and all she could see was to save the animals and ignore public safety issues and lessening the burden to taxpayers. Next, was the "investigation" done on Bette Danse by "Jennifer", that concluded she had violated "the Resolution". This investigation, we'll say, was based on a misinterpretation of this resolution and created complaints by Bette Alexander and "Nicole". (I spoke to Mr. Behring after doing my own "investigation" and he informed me that Mrs. Danse was notified as a FYI and he found no violation.) This resulted in embarassment and Mrs. Danse resigned. Myself, I recently started a job that I felt would interfere with contributing whole-heartedly. I was not aware of Gail resigning until I listened to the BCC video and learned not only did she donate $50,000, but heard her confess that she and Dianne have been secretly volunteering on another committee! I guess this is why Dianne would not put the effort into the Chair of this committee! As for Connie's "retirement", I have a document from the HR dept., that states she did not retire, but took option 2 (which I don't have information on). This, I also want to ask, while we are talking about Connie; why all of a sudden does she write this wonderful report on goals for CCAC after the committee started meeting, yet nothing for the last 19 years to set any goals? When I asked her, she replied: "No one asked me to!" I thought part of management was to create and accomplish goals! I guess those 3 months the committee was formed, was too much stress on her and she had to "retire". KILROY-licensing was discussed, but with the economy and other details to be reviewed, it just did not seem feasable at this time. However, "accountability" of owners is a very real subject in which increased fines for "repeat offenders" and the revision of code ordinances could increase revenue by "violators". ANNASGRAMIE- I have mixed feelings about the disbanding of the committee. On one hand, the lack of leadership and interferance of the "Sunshine Law" make it hard to get things done. On the other hand, disbanding the committee would give the Citizens more "weight" to comments and suggestions. Finally, Connie (oops, I meant TruthHurts), JoeRiley08, Christina, and all you others that try to manipulate, distort, and twist the truth; GROW UP!!!!! Those of you that care, please get involved and keep an open mind. There is a "bigger picture" when you try to "fix" CCAC and the saving of these future "family members". P.S. DOES ANY BODY KNOW WHY CONNIE CANCELLED HER DEPOSITION? I BET "TRUTHHURTS" KNOWS! Submitted by BigAl on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 12:04am.
Maybe before you make comments about Connie "suing the pants off", you should read her paperwork first!! Just another uneducated comment from you!! Who are you to say that Angela's comment on Connie's retiring is a "bright spot" is uncalled for? She is entitled to her opinion, which is shared by many!! Maybe you should consider removing your head from Connie's posterior!
Submitted by joeriley08 on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 8:46am.
Your statement "Who are you to say that Angela's comment on Connie's retiring is a "bright spot" is uncalled for? She is entitled to her opinion, which is shared by many" Is Bogus..I ALSO have an entitlement to my opinion whch is ALSO shared by MANY..As far as where MY head is that is NONE of your business, HOWEVER I can tell you that it is not where you think it is. I really do not understand where you people get off thinking I have a social life with Connie simply because I supported her when she was with the CCAC. The REAL issue is that I supported her and did not fall into "lock-step" with you and your "activist buddies". Why was the Committee formed? I can tell you why...there were enough people that pressed the BoCC to form one...that is why. The incidents that you mentioned were just "fuel for the fire" HOWEVER, I can PROMISE you that the MAIN REASON was that there were certian individuals that were on a "witch-hunt" and were bound and determined to burn Connie at the stake! The animals welfare was a distant second! ANOTHER statement you made really let me know what kind of berson you are "BIGAL" "interferance of the "Sunshine Law" make it hard to get things done." Does this mean that you do not think that the board should have been accountable to the general public? Or should the board have had the right to conduct business behind closed doors?? The SUNSHINE LAW was inacted to keep those individuals like yourself from doing things behind the tax payers backs..PERIOD... As far as Connie taking "option 2" who is to say what that means? YOU are inferring that that has some kind of negative connation when in-fact it may not..(distortion of the truth on YOUR part) To top it all off you complain about certian individuals twisting,manipulating and distorting the truth..Growing-up IS a hard thing for some people to do BUT I assure I AM an adult about EVERYTHING that I do and once again you just do not like my opinion so you resort to beratement. (at least ONE of those individuals in "your camp" know EXACTLY how "grown-up" I am as that person received an "olive branch" from me just this week.) Your ENTIRE "post" in this thread indicates that you (IMHO) have an axe to grind, feel like you need some kind of "pat on the back" for all of your efforts and you YOURSELF seem to be distorting the truth with "half-Truths, manipulations and distirtions of the truth" Finally, In "closing" Your last sentence in your little RANT.."post" above just puts an exclamation point on your "real agenda" and shows me that the "real problem" that you seem to have is that you BELIEVE that you are RIGHT and anyone that disagrees with you is WRONG.. SOOOOO..go ahead and take your ball and go home...I really do not have a problem with it!!
Submitted by TruthHurts on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 9:34am.
BigAl Your screen name says a lot about what you think of yourself. I have news for you. Your not that BIG BigAl. Seeing you are such an expert on Roberts Rules and committee decorum maybe you would like to explain to the folks why it is ok for you to bring in to a committee meeting a conealed weapon (large pocket knife) poking it at your soda container. In some circles that might look like an act of intimidation BIG AL. If I am not mistaken it is also considered a felony and the police should have been called to have you removed and arrested. People living in glass houses BIG AL should never throw stones. Be thankful you are not in jail. TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill. Submitted by read44 on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 10:45am.
I don't think anyone has mentioned that there is a new Director named on the County website: http://www.claycountygov.com/Departments/Enforcement/AC/AChome.htm Submitted by BigAl on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 11:49am.
joe, Did I hurt your little feelings? You have no clue to why the committee was formed and you are obviously upset you were not picked from your application! You are definetely defensive about your "social life with Connie, not only was that not implied, but since you brought it up; DO YOU? As for your "support" for Connie, what have you done? You did not go to all of the meetings, as you stated; however, you did blog to praise the ineffective results of the last 19 years! You definetely show the signs of being mis-guided and manipulated! Contrary, to what you say, I can back up my comments with documents, recordings, citizen discussions, news articles, and direct involvement; you have nothing but what you have been "brainwashed" into saying! There was no "witch hunt", the public was crying out for changes that involved: a) the extremely high euthanasia rate, b) public safety, c) all the negative press, and d) costs in adoption fees componded with these animals heath; to name a few. As you said, "The animals welfare was a distant second." This is so far from the truth! I have spoken to "rescuers" and animal lovers that state this was their main concern and how heart breaking it was to go down to CCAC, see these animals sick or on "death row"! Others were upset on public safety issues and the excuses they were getting! Bottom line- CCAC has been a "thorn in the side" of the County Manager for years! Now read carefully (if you don't understand, then get someone with a brain to explain it to you!), DO I BLAME CONNIE FOR ALL OF THIS? NO! DO I BLAME MR. BODENWEBER FOR ALL OF THIS? NO! IT IS EVERYONE THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE PROBLEMS! I do feel that Mrs. Goon is accountable for her position and Mr. Bodenweber is accountable for his. In addition, the county government has done nothing to my knowlege, to help control these issues and the public complaints, until now! Yes, you do have a right to your opinion. May I suggest that you make educated responses with facts instead of comments of such abstract proportion. Comments about my "activist buddies" (which please tell me who they are) and "my agenda" are not even substantiated by any fact! You do not know my agenda or what I stand for, so I suggest you take off your blinders, grow up, and stop "smoking what you are smoking" because words like "bogus" reminds me of Fast Times at Ridgemont High! One last thing, where your head is located is my opinion and it was your blogs that created that! Submitted by koolclay on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 2:04pm.
Cudos.........I appreciate someone with knowledge and facts before they put it on the blog. I agree 100% with your blogs and I am sure there are alot of others out there who also agree. I'm afraid as in the past no matter what public records you present or documentation from the public you blogged, or facts you present, there are the same old bloggers with special attachments to CCAC who will try and discredit you, they will say anything to try and discredit you, they just don't care. Hang tough, and know that there are many who agree with you. I also appreciate all the trouble you have been thru to help make Clay Co a better community for our companion animals. They have no voice, we must speak up for them. CCAC has had many problems in the past, they have been presented on this blog as public records and recorded facts from citizens, but they were mocked by the same bloggers that today are mocking you. Change was made at CCAC for good reason, it was time, we all know why, and the commissioners, county manager and many citizens are happier today because of the change and look forward with open arms and mind to a better CCAC.
Submitted by finder on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 2:50pm.
Now all they have to do is make sure the new Director isn't a Mini-Me. Mike Heemer
Submitted by joeriley08 on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 3:07pm.
WOW BIG AL...you really have a chip on your shoulder! You know, I had a very long response to your latest "I know more than you do" Rant. and have conculded that since you believe that you know everything and have decided that I cannot offer anything intelligent to the conversation I have only 10 things to say (for now).... 1) It takes ALOT more than what you may have to "dish-out" to hurt my feelings! 2) I never said I attended ALL of the Meetings. 3) Yes I "put my name in the hat" for an appointment to the board and am VREY HAPPY that I was NOT Chosen! (I did not have to sit next to a knife weilding knuckle head in a county building DURING a County Meeting) 4) The Committee formation was first announced as a possibility (publicly) here on the MCS site by individuals that have pressed their support for the committee and have been engaged in the "witch hunt" against Mrs. Goon. This is where I make the connection and stand by my opinion on why the committee was formed in the first place. 5) Name ONE county where Animal Control is NOT a thorn in SOMEONES SIDE? 6)Are you still a member of the committee? If you are, is it really YOUR place to berate and Belittle those that you are supposed to be representing? I mean I really take offense to the fact that YOU feel that YOU are on the Board to assist the public with sending reccomendations to the BoCC on My behalf when YOU think YOU have the right to discount my opinions in the manner in which you do...Maybe the BoCC needs to get a copy of your "rants" so that they can make their on decision on that matter...I really do not think you are conducting yourself properly considering that you are a "public figure" (oops I bet I really Pi**ed in your cheerios with that statement) 7)I suggest that YOU remember what I had to say in #6 above in your next response.(as I am SURE that you will have a response to me!) NO ONE likes someone in a position of power that THINKS the "little guys" opinion does not matter! (you are probably digging yourself a BIG HOLE) 8)My "social life" ONLY includes my immediate FAMILY.. period. 9) Those individuals that have been the loudest to complain about the euthanisa rates have also been the same people that have never set foot at the CCAC, are animal BREEDERS and make money on producing animals, OR have been fined or had animals taken from them...(o.k. I digress, there MAY be a few people that are really upset about the killing of animals and send meoney every year to the ASPCA to help out..did you know the ASPCA has, in their S.O.P. an euthanisa policy? YUP, they are animal killers too....) 10)The LAST thing for now.....I know you are but what am I? (my response to your attempts to measure my intelligence..not that you are a respected authority in that field..(yup... bringing up the knife thing again).
Submitted by joeriley08 on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 3:48pm.
U R Right "koolclay" I live in the county, pay taxes, support and am active in my community and vote...NOPE, I really have no business stating ,my opinions or should expect someone that is supposed to be representing me to respond...(actually, I really could care less if there is a response espically if it is going to be another one of those "I am BIG CHIEF you MUST listen to me" responses...) I guess my point is that YES there are things that can and need to be changed at animal control, is turning it into a no-kill shelter feasible? Maybe it is maybe not ( I lean towards the NOT side) However, NO ONE has all of the answers AND everything CANNOT come to fruition (sp) all at once so why get all heated up and strt pointing fingers when the first attempt fails? The CCAC now has a new interm director and we now get to see IF someone new can make a difference.(I hope she can). And I am sure that if things do not happen as a few select individuals feel they should then we will have CCAC part DUEX to contend with.... As far as the C.C.A.C.A.C. is concerned they cannot even meet because they cannot form a "quorm" so it is a moot point. Besides I really have not seen "all of the great things" that got accomplished by that committee..OH, WAIT they got the name changed to Clay County Animal CARE and Control... Good job Guys..... Submitted by read44 on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 5:46pm.
According to this 2008 MyClaySun post, the new Director already worked for CCAC: Mr HeemerSubmitted by Angela on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 3:37pm. Go back and review what I said and show me a statement where I called those girls a liar. The only statement I made was girls lie, boys lie and adults lie. That was not specific to that case but a generality. People lie and it doesn't matter what the subject is about they can lie. People do it everyday. This guy writing this blog can lie too. I didn't comment on the truth of his story. Except to say if he had an animal and did not care for it. Then that would be considered animal cruelty by law. If animal control had an animal and did not give it proper care that should be considered animal cruelty by law. What makes them exempt? Reported in the MCS Gail Flakes Shelter manager Hired 1991 Annual salary - $42,734 Certified by Florida Animal Control Association in 1994 Strengths - dependable, faithful, hard-working, never sick or takes vacation Weaknesses - not noticing when animals need baths or nails trimmed, supervisor skills Reprimands - 2006 for putting wrong dog to sleep and for reporting drugs missing that weren't I said the story didn't surprise me. http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/011908/nec_237644780.shtml
Submitted by finder on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 6:37pm.
I did notice that but I think I saw that she was appointed as 'Interim Director'. Does that mean she will be promoted into the job or will they go to the outside to find a new one? Only time will tell. I've never met the woman so I can't say anything about her management capabilities. Mike Heemer Submitted by read44 on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 7:03pm.
I suspect you are right about her being an interim director. It would probably cause the least disruption for the moment, to name someone from within. It might serve the County best to choose someone for Director with no ties to Clay County at all.
Submitted by joeriley08 on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 7:22pm.
Here is an excerpt from a story on Jacksonville.com... "County Manager Fritz Behring named Shelter Manager Gail Flakes as interim director, at least until future staffing needs are set during the upcoming budget process for fiscal 2009-10, Slaybaugh said." here is the link to the whole story... http://www.jacksonville.com/community/my_clay_sun/2009-05-05/story/clay_animal_control_chief_retiring_may_12 Submitted by time2fly on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 9:57pm.
Interim Director.......early retirement.......committees breaking up........lots of news at CCAC still. I have a buddy that works at animal care and control, he told me they had a recent theft...............2 generators stolen off the property, what a shame, will us taxpayers "foot the bill" on that one? Read44 you have a good point. A completely new director might be what they really need out there.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 12:08am.
Free to a good home. Loving 13 yo hound dog with severe mange problems, and a smalll case of heatrworms. The dog was found roaming the streets very skinny and hungry. Please come get this wonderful animal. CCAC will never become a true no kill shelter anyone that believes that is living with blinders on. CCAC will never be run like a private buisness because it is not a private buisness it is a government enforcement department. True there are things that can be done to help improve the numbers, but at the end of the day it is what it is. The bottom line is and always will be that it all comes down to personal responsibility and accountability of pet owners and breeders. CCAC will always have complaints because the very nature of thier job upsets people that are held to task. It is a job where you end up making more people mad at you then praise you because most of the time you are fining them, impounding thier animals, or forcing them to come into compliance of the law. There will always be loads of people just itching to file a complaint against them. As far as the so called great out cry of public concerns about CCAC, from what I hear there was only a handful of people that ever even went to any of those committee meetings. It was comprised of a few rescue people like Bill Clark, the committee members themselves, 3 of which.....well as I stated had thier own power grabbing personal agenda, and the rest were CCAC staff and Ronnie Robinson. Hardly a public out cry by any stretch of the imagination. This was all orchestrated by a handful of people. The shear lack of numbers at the committee meetings is the testimonial. In the end they turned on themselves and self destructed. Plain and simple. TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill.
Submitted by joeriley08 on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 4:53pm.
Hey guys, I was looking around on the internet and found this article.... http://www.laanimalservices.com/PDF/reports/2007%20Stats%20Report.pdf Can anyone shed some light on what we can offer-up to the BoCC and the CCAC to see what it would take to start working towards the goal of "mirroring" the model that they have in L.A.? As this is the MOST SUCESSFUL orginization in the nation when it comes to what they have accomplished. I understand that they have a much larger population of animals, and people, than we do , HOWEVER, does anyone think that it would make sense to try to implement a "like" program or at least pull parts of their program into ours to compliment what we are already doing? Oh I almost forgot if PETA has had to euthanize animals for years. How can such an orginization such as the one in L.A. have what appears to be such a successful model even after only 7 years? From 1998 to 2007 PETA killed more than 17,000 animals, nearly 85 percent of all those it rescued in that same time frame. So what makes L.A.'s program so effective and why has PETA not followed Suit?
Submitted by TruthHurts on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 4:57pm.
There are some staff at CCAC that have been trying to re-vamp our current animal laws. They have been looking at several different locations for some time now and trying to take the best from each. How far they are along I can't tell you sorry. I was told some of the places they have been looking at but for the life of me I can't remember. Once they complete the package it is my understanding that they will submit it to the BOCC, from there of course it is up to them. In terms of PETA they have not one ounce of respect from me. TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill.
Submitted by joeriley08 on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 6:18pm.
Joe, Submitted by AnnasGramie on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 9:10pm.
Joe, Regarding the animal census, they didn't attempt to come into your home; they simply came to the door and asked how many animals you had. Of course, they had already been at your neighbor's house and asked them how many animals you had so if your neighbor said you had two and you said none, they were ready to question you. In my case, the day they came to my door, my collie answered the door with me, so there wasn't much point in saying anything different.
Submitted by OneMann on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 12:18pm.
Big Al, you wrote: "... the meetings continued to be out of control and at least 2 of us e-mail nicely and asked Dianne to resign as Chair, but still stay on the committee." Weren't members of the Animal Control Advisory Committee instructed about government in the sunshine by the County Attorney's staff? Whether you like it or think it interferes with the efficiency of the committee, it is the law and shouldn't just be ignored. When two members of the committee e-mail another member to discuss anything about the committee's business (such as who serves as chairman,) it is a violation of the law.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 12:43pm.
BigAl don't care about rules as they may be applied to him and his power hungry pals. The rules only apply to others not them. Heck he doesn't even have the brains to see why it was wrong of him to pull out a knife during a committee meeting and poking it at his soda can. In thier minds the world is all wrong and they are right. TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 1:45pm.
BigAls idea of committee decorum
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill. Submitted by OneMann on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 1:58pm.
A violation of government in the sunshine laws is a serious issue, not something to be trivialized with photos of knives and soft drinks, or knife fights. Both elected and appointed officials in county government should not pick and choose which laws they follow, even an inconvenient law like government in the sunshine. Violations are not a joke.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 1:58pm.
Advisory Committee in action saving the animals. Don't mess with BigAl.
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 2:07pm.
BigAls personal copy of Roberts Rules!!
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 2:16pm.
BigAl demonstrates how to dress for success!!
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 2:21pm.
The Names Al........Big..Al.
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 2:37pm.
BigAl's personal copy of the sunshine laws!!
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 2:48pm.
BigAl fights for his life from being attacked by a neighbors little dog. Where is my Knife?????
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 2:56pm.
BigAl's paper weight.
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 3:09pm.
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 3:25pm.
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 3:49pm.
BigAl teaches how to raise money to save animals
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 4:26pm.
BigAl teaches the drunken monkey style of Kung Fu
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill. Submitted by 2much2say on Tue, 05/19/2009 - 3:35pm.
you do your blogging like ccac used to be managed. one big joke. im glad you think your funny. i'm also glad ccac is being managed better.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Tue, 05/19/2009 - 3:49pm.
2much2say offers insightful knowledge!!
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill. People are talking about ...Here are the recent blog postings with the most comments. |
Who's online
There are currently 0 users and 100 guests online.
Recent comments |
Watch out kids!!!!
The April 16 BCC "workshop", attended by 4 of the 5 commissioners, has been discussed on a previous blog. That is the workshop that cost taxpayers $2,000, had no agenda, and was not announced to the public. Workshop "leader", Ray Jorgensen, held a similar workshop for BCC a couple of years ago, also charging the county a hefty fee, plus "expenses".
The workshop was similar to the "feel goody" workshops held on planning days for teachers that keep them from doing the work they need to do in their classrooms that would benefit their students. At least those workshops usually do not cost money, because they are conducted by county staff.