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| | Tuesday, December 18, 2018
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Friends shelter to have new manager
Members of the Cocke County Legislative Body meeting Monday evening spent an hour discussing the situation with the Friends Animal Shelter. The county has a contract with the group to house animals and the county makes an annual $100,000 donation to the non-profit organization. But recently problems have surfaced; a malnourished dog was found at the shelter, and as a result Manager Terry Starnes was charged with Animal Cruelty and then terminated. The incident received lots of media attention, and the courtroom was nearly filled with concerned citizens for the meeting. President of the Friends of the Animal Shelter, Ann Fontaine said some of the allegations regarding unkept kennels were untrue. She said the complainant arrived early in the morning before the shelter was open and before workers had an opportunity to clean the cages. Fontaine, who was involved in obtaining the grant to build the shelter more than 20 years ago, said the shelter has inadequate funding, and a lack of staff. Sheriff Armando Fontes reported that the investigation into shelter conditions is ongoing, adding that Starnes provided inadequate management of the facility. The sheriff said inmates currently are being used for cleaning and feeding for two hours each morning, and the animals now have adequate care. Then the body heard Alisha Henry, who has been hired to manage the Friends Shelter. "I want to start with a clean slate, and that's exactly what I plan to do. There must be a legal audit done so we can move forward. I believe with my skill set I can do that, but it is going to take time it will not be done overnight," Henry told the body. "But my goal at the end of the day6 is 100 percent transparency so anybody can come in at any given time and be happy with the way the shelter is being ran." Commissioner Norman Smith introduced Julie Carter of the Jefferson County Humane Society who said she is willing to provide assistance with the management of the local shelter. The body then agreed to appoint a committee to work with the Friends group and to provide oversite. Also, efforts will be made to bring the Friends and the Steele Away Animal Rescue to the table for discussions. The two organizations have been at odds for some time. The body also agreed to the purchase of 13 new doors for the jail, but the doors will be moved to the new facility if a new jail is built. Sheriff Fontes stressed that the state fire marshal has mandated the new doors. The members were told that a state-owned building in the East Broadway Shopping Center, will be offered to a private firm. The county had earlier considered the use of the site for a homeless shelter, and had offered a lower bid price. Commissioner Forrest Clevenger argued for the elimination of overtime in the fire department and instead the 14 employees be given a raise. The full body delayed action on the proposal until it can be considered by the Finance Committee. Mayor Crystal Ottinger reported that a census will be conducted in April. She pointed out that the census is important because it determines how much federal funding the community will receive. She said the community loses about $1,000 for every lost household. The mayor also reported that the state has again ranked the Newport Bypass as the most important road project in the region. At the request of Sheriff Fontes, the Finance Committee will consider leasing department cruisers in the next budget. Newport Mayor Roland "Trey" Dykes III was appointed to the E911 Board of Directors. Donna Jo Kaupp of Donna Jo's Market asked the commission to allow the sale of beer beginning at 10 am on Sundays, instead the current 12 noon. She said Hemblen and Sevier Counties already allow the earlier sales. Such a resolution will be considered at the January meeting. And the body approved a resolution for the county to opt out of statewide code standards for one and two family dwellings.
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