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Budget committee cuts money for county animal control |
by Ron Schaming
The COURIER
Noted local philanthropist Ron Pickard and a homegrown animal protection organization both resigned from a county committee devoted to implementing a countywide animal control program.
The departures from the Hardin County Animal Control Committee came after a 6-3 vote by the county budget committee on May 27. The budget committee recommended to the full county commission a level of funding for a proposed animal control department that is $70,000 less than the $170,000 the Animal Control Committee sought.
The study committee had hoped to cobble together a comprehensive program with a total budget of around $300,000, including $58,000 from the city of Savannah through the absorption of the city’s existing animal control effort, with the balance to come from private donations and fund-raisers.
In a May 28 letter to Hardin County Mayor Kevin Davis, Pickard predicts what he termed the "nominal funding" suggested by the budget committee "will only result in a failed program."
"It is unfortunate that some county commissioners view the program as a 'dog catcher' position and fail to recognize that an effective program must include education, public awareness, rabies control and many other aspects."
Pickard, who along with his wife Linda established a charitable trust in 1998 to fund and operate the 2,000 acre Horse Creek Wildlife Sanctuary and Animal Sanctuary in Hardin County, said he will "not be associated with a program designed to fail."
However, he left the door open to the commission's possible rejection of the budget committee's recommendation. Pickard said he remains supportive of "any serious effort to develop an all-inclusive county-wide program, and if the funding becomes available I will assist in any manner you deem appropriate."
The budget committee’s vote further prompted the Hardin Metro Society for Protection of Animals to remove its representative, Savannah banker Chris Jerrolds, from the animal control committee.
"Based on the recent actions, comments and personal agendas of some of the members of your budget committee, it is obvious, even for a casual observer, that this effort by the animal control committee to assist in formulating a reasonable plan to move forward with animal control in Hardin County has been a waste of money, brains and time," local
SPCA President Ted Cook said in a letter to the county mayor.
"It's just the way the commission does business," he told The Courier.
"They voted to hire somebody as director last month, but they’re not going to give him any money to do the job
right."
A staff member in Mayor Davis' office said early Tuesday afternoon that notice had not been given by former
Florida police officer Kevin Skoffic accepting or refusing the offered $30,000, full-time director’s post. Skoffic is currently employed in Savannah by a major retailer.
Monday, Davis said he does not believe the withdrawal by the SPCA and Pickard will be a death blow to hopes that
county residents could soon have the services of an animal control department.
"We're still going forward with it," he said. "I think once the county comes up with a plan, the city will participate." |