By Carol McIntire
Editor
June 11, 2008

The new dog pound policy regarding adoption times has been altered.
Last Thursday, County Commissioner Bob Herron said it was his opinion the new adoption times set by Commissioner Larry Garner should be changed to allow the dog rescue groups to adopt dogs out early Friday mornings.

Garner chimed in and said it was already taken care of. "I talked with Ken (Ohler, dog warden) and they will be allowed in Fridays," he said. 
Garner announced one week earlier he changed the adoption rule for the dog pound  and only county residents could adopt dogs between the hours of 7 and 9 a.m. Monday through Friday.

The action brought words of concern from Commissioners Tom Wheaton and Bob Herron who said they understood the need for county residents to have first chance at adopting dogs from the pound, but also acknowledged the good the rescue groups in adopting dogs out, which in turn reduces the number of dogs euthanized.

"Dr. Childers has set aside a time on Friday morning to give the dogs vaccinations and vet check them for the rescue groups," said Herron. "We need to have the dog pound open to them on Friday mornings."

Wheaton agreed, presenting Garner with about 15 sheets of paper containing e-mails all three commissioners were sent concerning the new rule. "I started printing these and I'm not going to waste any more trees, but this is just the tip of the iceberg for the day," he said.

Wheaton said if dogs are kept at the pound three days after they arrive before they are available for adoption, residents have sufficient time to view them. "That's what I did, I went, saw the dog I wanted and was at the pound at 6:25 a.m. the day it was available for adoption," he said. Garner said he and Ohler are putting together a "written procedure" for the dog pound he hopes to have ready for next Thursday's meting.

"Will we have to vote on it?" Wheaton asked. "If it's a procedure manual we will," Herron replied.

Wheaton then asked if the dog pound could donate some of its free supply of dog food to the Humane Society. He noted Ohler told him the dog pound could not give the dog food away because it was county property. However, he said, Prosecutor Don Burns said the county can make a donation to the Humane Society. Wheaton said Ohler indicated there is an ample supply of food at the pound.

In an unrelated matter, commissioners were invited to an open house July 8 for the new addition at the Carroll Hills administration office located at 1182 Roswell Rd., Carrollton. Superintendent Matt Campbell noted a ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for 11 a.m. The open house continues until 7 p.m. and includes renovations made at Carroll Hills Workshop on N. High St. He said the entire renovation project cost $405,258.50. Of that, $225,984 was a grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities, and $56,496 was the local match. The county MR/DD board paid for the cost of the septic system update, which totaled $40,330.50 and paid an additional $81,554.50. The Carroll Hills non-profit board put $41,224 into the project. Campbell noted funds from the district's permanent improvement levy were used for the project, which included renovation of the administration offices, the addition of a section to house 15 to 16 people from Carroll Hills Workshop and five staff members.
In other business, commissioners:

-ARPROVED the hiring of Lou Ann Kibler from Mechanicstown to replace Cheryl Mickley in her duties with the Carroll County Family and Children First Council. Kibler will work 28 hours per week and be paid $12.88 per hour.

-LEARNED Wheaton received a letter from the Ohio Department of Development expressing concerns the Colfor Manufacturing may not meet the terms of the grant agreement by the June 2009 deadline. Herron said he will follow up on the letter.

-DID not meet Monday so commissioners and staff could attend the County Commissioners Association of Ohio Summer Conference.