Dashonthedash
CO
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It's 3 years, but that's OK. Happy Anniversary, Richard. Good luck with the commissioner campaign.
FYI, Joy and Don Beard (Joy) were the first to reply to this thread 3 years ago, and they were the first to suggest you find that old dog and bring him home. Although they are prolific posters (almost 900 in the past year alone), I can't find a single post to this thread after that initial one. If they are lurking somewhere, they deserve special credit for starting what has become an irresistible force for improving the life of strays and rescues everywhere.
* This post was
edited 09/05/08 09:04pm by Dashonthedash *
Gary Shapiro
Spc. Dash - 9-year-old GSD
Spc. Lily - 5-year-old Greyhound
and Spc. Allan (DOTL Rainbow Division) - now waiting at the Bridge with Max, Willow & Dot
1992 Winnebago Brave 27' Class A
Dash on the dash: The Only Way to Travel!
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Dandy Dan
Findlay, Ohio
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Congratulations to Joy and Don Beard for instilling the idea in the head of a Southern Gentleman. By doing so, you have also joined a lot of folks across these United States in a very elite group of friends. If you read this and can make it, please come to the 2009 Ohio Old Fella Rally. So far there are 9 units that have alerady reserved spots for the Rally and a few more on the way.
Dandy Dan
dan218b@tds.net
Dan and Lori Branson, Anna 1 (the rescue)
and Beau (waiting at the Rainbow Bridge)
2005 Dodge QuadCab 2500 4x4 Hemi
2009 Open Range 337RLS
RV.Net Ohio Rally Member
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Dixie Flyer
504 Jones Ave Waynesboro, Georgia 30830
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Dashonthedash wrote:It's 3 years, but that's OK. Happy Anniversary, Richard. Good luck with the commissioner campaign.
I guess we got carried away. But this has been the best three years of my life.
I don't want to turn this into a political thing so I will be brief and explain what I have found out about the budget for the county.
Each year the County Commissioners make a list of things that has been suggested to be in the budget, kind of like a Christmas list. Then the commissioners will go through the list eliminating items that won't be on the budget. The Animal control budget was listed in the budget to start with, if it remains on the list no one knows except the commissioners, but may have already been struck from the list as the meetings have been somewhat out of the publics view.
2005 Ford XLT F250 Supercab - 6.0 Turbo Diesel
2005 27RL Wildcat Fifth wheel/Reese 16K hitch
Wife Sue
Pets: Old Fella, Levi and Charlie at Rainbow Bridge. Suzie the Imp, Peaches the Princess and Izzie the cat.
Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue
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newk
Gillette, WY
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"To my knowledge none of these sessions were advertised, therefore the public did not know to attend."
"... the meetings have been somewhat out of the publics view."
I don't THINK this would be considered political.... I've never spent much time down south and don't know Georgia laws, but any place I've ever lived required public boards, such as city council and county commissioners, to hold all meetings publicly, and if the meetings aren't held at the same time and place every month, they must advertise (legal notice in the county's "legal" newspapers) where and when the meetings will take place and what will be discussed. Normally the only exceptions would be discussing personnel matters and lawsuits, and those are normally discussed behind closed doors during a regular session. If they're holding budget sessions at odd times and not advertising them ahead of time, they (commissioners) should be held accountable, imho.
We've had similar problems here in past years with various boards. I recall one instance when city council members were holding unofficial, "informal" breakfast meetings to discuss hot topics. Then they'd show up at the scheduled meeting and there would be no discussion. A proposal would be introduced, a motion made, a second made, and a quick vote taken. WHAT?! I was editor of the local paper at the time and was not happy when I found out. A quick call to the city attorney and an article in the paper changed things in a hurry.
You might check Georgia's public meeting laws. If what's said here is true, it sounds like illegal meetings taking place. If I were running for county commissioner, I'd want to know if the current commission is acting legally or not. (Just be sure before you say anything.)
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Dixie Flyer
504 Jones Ave Waynesboro, Georgia 30830
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I know that the current County Commissioners would like for the Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue and its followers to just go away, but we are not. The meetings for the budget for next year are being held without proper notice such as a public notice in the paper neither are they posting a notice on the door at City Hall that such a meeting is scheduled or in progress. Monday I intend to talk with the County attorney and see to it that these meeting are legal. If they have been holding meetings without meeting the requirements of the law then they will have to hold these meeting again, this time in the letter of the law.
I hope that I am not getting into something that I will regret as I do not intend to participate in anything like "Good O Boy" politics with meeting behind closed doors. Old Fella's name and mine will not be slandered nor involved in anything that is not honorable. At this point there are a lot of questions that have arisen about some practices concerning the County Commissioners that need to be answered. I don’t believe there is corruption, but I do believe there is some bending of the rules. Anyway I will know more about what is happening in a few days.
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Dashonthedash
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I don't think this has been posted here before, but this was posted on my Greyhound forum recently:
A man in Grand Rapids, Michigan incredibly took out a $7000 full page ad in the paper to present the following essay to the people of his community.
By Jim Willis, 2001
When I was a puppy, I
entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend.
Whenever I was "bad,"you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" – but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.
My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.
Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person"
--
still I
welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate.
Oh, how I wanted to
love them, but I became a "prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent
-- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me.
These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject.
I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog ," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family,"
but
there was a time when I was your only family
I was excited about
the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look.
They understand
the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.
You
gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"
They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.
When I realized I could not compete
with the frolicking for attention
of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room.
A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days.
As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"
Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said "I'm so sorry."
She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.
A Note from the
Author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year in American & Canadian animal shelters. Please use this to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals.
Please pass this on to everyone, not to hurt them or make them sad, but it could save maybe, even one, unwanted pet.
Remember...They
love UNCONDITIONALLY
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Dixie Flyer
504 Jones Ave Waynesboro, Georgia 30830
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Thanks Gary for the story. When I look at Charlie and see the love he has to give and the joy he brings to our family I am so glad we adopted an older dog. Sure they come with some baggage, but don't we all? Old Fella, Charlie and all of the others that have faced being old and then found new homes, they are the winners and they are the ones who bring so much love to the other winners, the familes who adopted them.
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campingshadow
Waskom, Texas
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Gary....this brought tears to my eyes as I am sure it did to others. I plan to copy this, format and frame it and take it to my vet and ask them to hang it on the wall. I have had the sad duty to say goodbye to many furkids when I worked for a vet and I never got over how callus and uncaring some owners would be when they brought their animals in because "they were just too much trouble to bother with anymore". If this reaches only one person and changes how they think of their pet....it will be worth the time and effort to have posted it.
Shadow
2003 Cedar Creek 5th wheel 36RLTS
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newk
Gillette, WY
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Very touching, Dash.... It certainly brought a little moisture out of *my* eyes.
Richard,
For the most part, local politicians are the cream of the crop. They give their time for the good of the community, and any pay they get seldom covers the time invested. (You would make a great county commissioner.) Where they often get into trouble is in thinking they know better than anyone else just what is "good for the community". They're trying to balance a tight budget with various demands for services, buildings, and equipment, much of which is mandated by laws. Poor counties don't have a lot of discretionary spending. Budget meetings are tough, so to make it a little easier they'd just as soon go off into a corner and hash it out between themselves.
Of course if they do that, it becomes too easy for Commissioner Smith to get a little extra budgeted for his friend, or his nephew. And Commissioner Jones says to Commissioner Smith, I'll vote to fund that line if you'll back me up on *this* one. Lo and behold, Good-Ol Boy Back Room Politics has been born.
Most politicians play it this way to some extent. (And the ones who don't, don't get much done.) WHEN you're elected, having a tough time deciding whether a new bridge should go in or not, and the commissioner pushing for it says to you, "Look, I want this bridge built now. We need it. You back me, Richard, and I'll back you and your shelter plan."
It might make you think, "Yeah, we may as well build the bridge this year instead of waiting a couple years (and I really need his backing)." Of course that means the day care center won't be funded -- and maybe you'd have preferred to fund it before the new bridge. You've just become one of the Good Ol Boys. *ducks* That's not all bad, and it's certainly easy to justify. You're getting your shelter built. The old bridge was too narrow. It's too bad the day care facility can't be built this year, but there's just not enough in the budget. That's politics, from the local level to the top. We'll never get rid of it.
Closed-door meetings make it easier for good politicians in many ways, but it encourages back room deals. Public boards MUST do their business publicly for many reasons. (It's not THEIR money that they're budgeting!) State lawmakers realize this and have legislated "open meeting" laws. Your county newspapers, your "watchdogs of the community," SHOULD be putting a stop to this. (hint, hint)
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Dixie Flyer
504 Jones Ave Waynesboro, Georgia 30830
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Burke County, Georgia has been blessed for the last thirty years as Georgia Power or Southern Company has built a nuclear power plant here and is now going to expand it with another cooling tower and a larger reactor. This has brought millions of dollars into the county every year with no end in sight as work continues at Plant Vogtle.
The new schools, roads, recreation department, bridges and many other projects have been funded by this enormous tax base and I believe the money has been spent wisely for the most part. But when it comes to helping the animals of Burke County by providing a shelter and helping with a spay neuter clinic they turn a deaf ear. The commissioner that I am opposing has a mindset that any kind of animal control is a waste of tax payer’s money. Since the July primary when the vote came in at 87% in favor of some kind of animal control they realize that their jobs are in jeopardy if they don’t come up with something to at least satisfy the voters that something is in the works. So by approving some kind of measure for animal control or a shelter they can pigeon hole the whole thing and say we are working on it. This is what they have done hiring an officer to handle a bad dog situation. They approve hiring someone a year ago and have never filled the position. When asked about it they reply, “We’re working on.”
All I want is one term as a County Commissioner and by the time I am done I will be glad to go and they will be glad to see me go! I promise that meetings will be held by the letter of the law and there will be an animal shelter in Burke County! As far as the “Good Ol Boy” politics is concerned, it isn’t going to happen on my watch. Old Fella has a lot of work yet to accomplish, and as I promised him, his name and legacy will live on in Burke County, Georgia.
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