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wildlife, a blatant disregard far federal regulations that places staff at risk in jeopardizing their careers in their field, and misrepresentation of the low cost spayJneuter clinic. There is more detail on these issues in the packets provided to the Board. They do not want to bash the APS, but they are hoping to encourage positive change. They are employees but want to make these matters known to the Board of County Commissioners. Kris Bergstrand, a veterinarian for 22 years, said that she began volunteering at APS Wildlife Rehab Center and SpayJNeuter Clinic in October 2001. When she began volunteering, she told the veterinarian on staff that she did not hold a license in the state of North Carolina. He called the North Carolina Veterinary Board who assured her that it was appropriate for her to work on the non-public owned animals. She asked the Orange County Board of Commissioners to convene a public forum to help clarify to the citizens of Orange County haw APS policy decisions are made and how these policies affect animals, the public, and the APS staff. She is particularly concerned about the recent history of the APS program offering low cost spays and neuters to the public. She has documentation showing that APS management and Board of Directors have strongly encouraged the veterinary staff to perform this service, even after they were made aware that performing this service is in violation of the Veterinary Practice Act of North Carolina. She is very frustrated at the lack of clear policies at the APS regarding the adoption of sick or potentially dangerous animals. She is also worried about concerns brought to her by APS staff over the past two months about veterinary care and disease control. She understands that the staff took the concerns to the management, but did not receive a response that could help correct the problems. She contacted a board member and described the concerns. The board member seemed appreciative and assured her that this would be addressed. As of today, the staff has not received any guidance. She hopes that a task force made up of veterinarians from the community can assist APS in being the best it can be. She said that tomorrow she could provide copies of a statement from a foster dog volunteer who had an experience with a pit bull. The pit bull showed aggression towards people and animals. She was advised by APS's awn trainer that the dog be put to sleep. The dog was still adopted out at advice of the management of APS. Judith Reitman said that she attempted to adopt a puppy, Casey, but the dog was euthanized after being deemed aggressive by the APS. A director of a County agency told her in a documented conversation, "Even if you write an investigative article, it want do any good." She felt compelled as a public interest journalist to pursue documentation of these matters. She found that there is a significant discrepancy between what APS tells the public it does and what it actually does. She also found a discrepancy between its official mandate and its internal policies. Furthermore, the agency responsible for the oversight of APS has assumed an inappropriate advocacy role for the organizations. Orange County taxpayers pay about $428,000 a year of APS's shelter bills, yet APS is contemptuous of public inquiry. All of her findings could justify a fraud inquiry. She said that the board maintains ahands-off policy, refusing to question management's decision. She said that the Director of the Board of Health has assumed an advocacy role, both in writing and in the media, in defending APS against critics who simply wish to see APS fulfill its public mandate of protecting animals and the community. She is requesting the Board of County Commissioners to assume its rightful authority and call a public forum. The purpose is to create a public oversight body comprised of professionals in the field of veterinary medicine, law, and the media. The intent is to clean house at APS in order to initiate and secure enforcement of responsible and legal practices. This should include an amendment to the County contract that places APS under the public records and open meetings law. There is no justification for APS to conduct closed-daordeeision-making when the public is paying 213 of its bill. Chair Jacobs asked Greg Wilder from the Manager's staff to get a-mail names/addresses for future correspondence with the people who were signed up to speak about APS. The Board will refer this to staff to bring back a report to the Board of County Commissioners. One of the Assistant Managers, Gwen Harvey, will get together with Health Director Rosemary Summers and Alan Reimer who is on the Animal Control and Environmental Health subcommittee on the Board of Health to create a process so that there is an opportunity to document and discuss the issues that people have and to suggest an appropriate forum for discussing that beyond the Board of Health if needed. A task force may also be needed. Anew animal shelter is supposed to be online by 2006 and this is a good impetus to get started.