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Planned cuts to animal shelter bring howls



CORUNNA

THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION

Friday, December 05, 2003

By Jerry Ernst
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER


QUICK FACTS
Budget crunch

Estimated 2003 budget: $14.7 million;

Proposed 2004 budget: $14.8 million.

Employee cuts possible: animal control, county library, jail, treasurer's office, two courts.

Budget adoption: Dec. 18.

Inquiries, ideas and offers to help maintain animal shelter operations: (989) 723-1698 or stone1@chartermi.net.


Corunna - As Shiawassee County officials prepare to adopt a series of economy measures, the loudest howls over their plans are aimed at a proposal to cut staffing at the animal shelter.

Critics say the downsized shelter will no longer accept cats or dropped-off dogs and will, as soon as legally allowed, euthanize stray dogs that county employees pick up rather than try to find them homes.

Undersheriff Keith Kewish said details of future operations have not been established. Sheriff Jon Wilson has been on vacation since his proposal to slash the animal control department was announced, and a union officials said Wilson has prohibited the department's employees from talking to the press.

Volunteers and other supporters of animal welfare organizations pleaded with the county Board of Commissioners on Thursday to spare animal control.

"I'm outraged, people," snapped Jean Passini, 74, of Burns Township, holding a large, hand-lettered sign reading "Commissioners - Cut YOUR Pay and Benefits - NOT People, Services or Animals' Shelter."

"You're going to have wild animals all over the place. Packs of dogs," added Marianne Beacham, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees chapter that represents animal shelter and other employees.

Commissioners propose cutting animal control funding from an estimated $129,000 this year to $48,500 in 2004. The staff of four - one below last year - would be cut to two, one of whom would work full-time at the shelter. The animal control officer would divide his time between the shelter and catching animals.

Jail inmates would be assigned to the shelter, eliciting more objections.

The remaining shelter director "is going to be the only person out there," said Allison Amon of Vernon. "As a woman, I would not be comfortable having her out there by herself (with inmates). I'm sure if you had wives or daughters out there, you'd feel the same way."

The proposed $15.8-million budget includes cuts from several county departments, county Coordinator Christina F. Volek said. A vacant jail guard's position will not be filled, and part-time to full-time positions are being eliminated in the treasurer's office and the probate and district courts. The board will finish its two-year withdrawal of funding from the Shiawassee County Library, costing five librarians their part-time positions.

There also is a proposal to dilute insurance benefits or have employees pay more toward their coverage. And the Sheriff's Department will not get three cars it planned to lease next year.

Commissioners challenged supporters of the animal shelter to volunteer at the shelter and develop alternative measures.

Cindy A. Livingston of Rush Township, who operates a "rescue" service to save Chesapeake Bay retrievers, said she will lead an effort to brainstorm ways to financially support the animal shelter.

She plans to present ideas at the Dec. 17 meeting of the commissioners' Public Safety Committee, at 4 p.m. The full board meets at 4 p.m. the next day and is scheduled to adopt a new budget that afternoon.