Underhanded politics were on display at its finest as demonstrated when Commission Ognio said he would be fine with 50 percent capacity himself (meaning he was fine with euthanasia when the shelter was 50 percent full — really!), and he motioned to approve the euthanasia policy by tacking on a second motion that put a halt to the six months of planning and meetings to bring our archaic ordinances into the 21st century, that have been ongoing with Shelter Director Jerry Collins, Steve Rapson, Steve Brown and animal advocate groups, that was scheduled to be put on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting
That was an underhanded move that was seconded by Charles Oddo. Charles Rosseau said that the citizens of Fayette County didn’t care enough to be part of the process until last night. (Obviously too late to make a difference.) Our commissioners voted 4 to 1 to approve the policy with minor concessions and they will not hear any ordinance change agenda items as a result.
Thank you, Steve Brown, for your one vote to do the right thing for the animals of Fayette County and be a voice for those that have none.
As president of the Fayette Humane Society, I was appalled at the underhanded tactics used, and the forced agenda items approval (removal) that was used. I urge each citizen to review the video of [the July 13] meeting to see for yourself how it was indicated that we (the animal advocates and the citizens), if we cared, would be working together for a solution. We were and spent over six months trying to do so, to have it all thrown out the window last night.
Here is your call to action. View the video and call each of the commissioners to let them know how much you care. Remember what they did when it is time for reelection. If you have never been to the shelter on Ga. Highway 74, please go see where your tax dollars are, or are not, being spent.
Volunteer your time to the animal advocate groups that want to help make a difference for the animals. Given the approval of the policy last night, and many animals who could be in danger of euthanasia, all animal advocates will be needing fosters if we want to save their lives now. Won’t you take action?
We will continue our efforts to help send the direction of our shelter towards no-kill. There is no reason why our county, as affluent and educated as it is, could not be a top notch no-kill shelter. We need you now.
If you would like to become a volunteer or foster for the Fayette Humane Society, please go to www.fayettehumane.org and fill out a volunteer application. Let’s be the voice for the animals.
Stephanie Cohran
President of Fayette Humane Society
