The city of Middletown is currently served by ONE full time Animal Control Officer and one part-time officer. The Police Chief would like to hire two more full time officers for a total of three in order to sufficiently cover the needs of the city. One third of all animal calls are covered by police officers.
I attended the regular meeting of the Finance and Government Commission last night and was appalled by the behavior of some of the members sitting on the commission.
The Police Chief was present to ask for funding for the additional positions and to provide information to the commission that had previously been requested that he provide. While the Police Chief was making his presentation, several of the commissioners were having a private discussion; I found this rude to the Police Chief and to the public as it was very difficult to follow what was being explained.
I assume these commissioner are voted in because the public feels they would act like adults in decision making rather than talking between themselves like children and ignoring the topic at hand.
Maybe they should get a time out for bad behavior.
Very disappointed;
Barbara Melia
I attended the regular meeting of the Finance and Government Commission last night and was appalled by the behavior of some of the members sitting on the commission.
The Police Chief was present to ask for funding for the additional positions and to provide information to the commission that had previously been requested that he provide. While the Police Chief was making his presentation, several of the commissioners were having a private discussion; I found this rude to the Police Chief and to the public as it was very difficult to follow what was being explained.
I assume these commissioner are voted in because the public feels they would act like adults in decision making rather than talking between themselves like children and ignoring the topic at hand.
Maybe they should get a time out for bad behavior.
Very disappointed;
Barbara Melia
Gail Petras, our full time animal control officer, and her part-time assistant, Daun do a great job with the limited resources they have at their disposal. They truly do need more full-time officers.
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate that the Finance and Government Commission members do not have more respect for our police chief, or for the public, in general. It is even more unfortunate that this type of behavior seems to permeate city government at far too many levels; just ask anyone who has ever had to deal with Public Works.
I think, Barbara, that the Commissioners are appointed by the mayor, but because the city web site is so cumbersome and poorly constructed, it is difficult to verify.
The commissioners are elected council members, maybe time to vote the majority out for new blood.
ReplyDeleteAnon at 6:19 - I'm not so sure that is accurate. Perhaps a councilman can weigh in on that; using their real name, of course.
ReplyDeleteNo its accurate, click on the committee assignments on the city website, all council members for this sub committee of the common council. Not rock science.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast public works director asks for money to light a park because people are supposedly tripping after dark when they shouldn't be there anyway with no back up info & like a genie the council grants, but the police chief has back up info more animal control officers are needed & its a no go.
ReplyDeleteI have also attended several meetings concerning this topic and am truly disappointed with the way things appear to be dragging along..it seems as though the council only asks for a portion of what they require and then asks for more as if the police chief should have known prior to them asking. It presents to me like" the wizard of oz" ...go and get the broom Dorothy..wait, now you need something else, a brain, a heart, the courage..
ReplyDeleteSimply stated our amazing animal cocontrol officer is way overdue for the support she deserves. The animal issues in our community have long been at a boiling point and it is out of control.
Please don't let any more time go by without all of you sharing your voice on this topic,( and the topic of needing a municipal regional animal shelter) this is our home and the animals in it are our responsibility..speak up!!!
I have also attended several meetings concerning this topic and am truly disappointed with the way things appear to be dragging along..it seems as though the council only asks for a portion of what they require and then asks for more as if the police chief should have known prior to them asking. It presents to me like" the wizard of oz" ...go and get the broom Dorothy..wait, now you need something else, a brain, a heart, the courage..
ReplyDeleteSimply stated our amazing animal cocontrol officer is way overdue for the support she deserves. The animal issues in our community have long been at a boiling point and it is out of control.
Please don't let any more time go by without all of you sharing your voice on this topic,( and the topic of needing a municipal regional animal shelter) this is our home and the animals in it are our responsibility..speak up!!!
Anonymous October 5, 2015 at 2:42 PM - Finding anything on the city web site is a chore. The site is difficult to use, it is so poorly constructed.
ReplyDelete