November 8, 2006
ANIMAL
CONTROL COMMITTEE APPOINTED
During the BOC meeting Monday, Animal Control was an issue
of concern for Comm. Johnson. He said there has
been controversy about Animal Control for quite a while.
He wanted to put people on a committee that had been most
vocal about Animal Control. He thought these people would
be the best ones to get together and come up with some good
ideas as they had voiced concerns about the problems with
Animal Control. He said he would be the liaison between
committee and the BOC. He asked that Shelba Jean Morrison
from Jasper Humane Society, Kathy Mudd with the Monticello
News, Susan Kelly who owns a kennel, Mary Patrick with the
TWG, and Kathy Thomason a concerned citizen and dog breeder
serve on this committee. He wanted to go ahead and get started
now and get some things resolved. Comm. Johnson made a motion
to nominate these people. Comm. Hill 2nd. There was discussion
with Comm. Bernard and Comm. Pennamon both agreeing to go
ahead and let these get started and up to 4 others could
also serve. Comm. Johnson amended his motion to appoint
5 ladies and up to 4 others that are willing to participate,
and injected that the Committee had no authority
to handle operations—only to recommend to BOC. The
vote was 4-0-1 with Comm. Yarbrough abstaining stating,
“I’ve had enough of this dog and pony show.”
Before this
presentation by Comm. Johnson, David Dammann spoke
during the Agenda Comments. He informed the other commissioners
that Comm. Bernard had asked him to look into animal control.
Sources tell TWG that Mr. Dammann contacted the
Humane Society and wanted them to put volunteers on their
liability insurance to cover people working at the Animal
Control Shelter that the County policy wouldn’t cover. Hopefully,
the Animal Control committee will have better solutions
and develop some plans and procedures for Animal Control
in Jasper County.
After this discussion,
the CM told everyone, “ We have a new Animal Control
officer--Amber Castleman. She’s from Newton County with
7 years experience.” He stated they are also looking
for a Crewman from PWD to help at the shelter on weekends.
During discussion
of the budget, the Animal Control shelter cost was discussed.
Citizens were told more than once in the past
that USDA-Rural Development would give Jasper County a grant
for approximately $45,000 or ½ the cost of the shelter.
This grant has never materialized. The City obtains USDA
grants on a regular basis with at least 3 in the last few
months—2 different times for City police cars and just this
past week another $99,000 for the Farmers Market on the
Square. What is the reason that the County can not
obtain a small grant for $45,000 for an Animal Shelter that
serves the entire county? We have no answers, only
questions.
An interesting
note--We’ve heard over and over how much overtime is spent
on Animal Control. It was brought up at the end of the meeting
that Raymond Rogers (Code Enforcement /Animal Control
employee) sat through the entire 3 hour commissioners meeting.
The Commissioners were asked if he would be paid
overtime for the week while being able to sit through the
meeting for no apparent reason. No answers were given. Chris
Anderson, P&Z director and Mr. Rogers’ supervisor, also
sat through the entire meeting.
Taxpayers
are paying for these people to work and to get their jobs
done; not to sit through meetings where they have no part
of the meeting. Come on, Commissioners, it’s
time we got 40 hours work for 40 hours pay from ALL
those who receive a county paycheck!
TWG
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Mission
Statement:
** To keep the taxpayers of Jasper County, Georgia informed
as to where and how their tax dollars are being spent.
** To keep the taxpayers abreast of local policies and
laws being discussed and enacted.
** We advocate more open government, less government spending,
and lower property taxes.
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