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people had their awn agendas. She wanted the County Commissioners to know that the APS <br />Board has done more than enough due diligence in hiring their employees. She added that <br />since they hired Laura Walters, she has worked with her everyday and she is a competent <br />person. She said that they have a very stable staff and different but good adoption policies. <br />Ann Peterson then addressed a second issue -the issue of the records brought up by <br />Elliot Cramer. Mr. Cramer has said that APS has committed criminal fraud. She said that this is <br />simply not true and that their contract with the County is not based on numbers and there is no <br />reason to falsify records. She admitted that there are mistakes because humans are doing the <br />reports and they have an enormous amount of going in and going out at the shelter. She asked <br />that the County Commissioners not let the smokescreen that these people have put up hamper <br />their job and the APS's job. <br />Commissioner Carey asked Pat Beyle if the surveys included 100% of the ones <br />distributed. <br />Pat Beyle said that they cannot force someone to fill them out, but most of the adopters <br />do fill them out and they go out with every adoption and she does not knave what percentage is <br />included in the packet. <br />Kendall Page is a lifetime resident of Orange County, a practicing real estate attorney, <br />and a new APS Board member. She spoke about the APS contract with the County and the <br />funding of the APS. The APS of Orange County is a private organization, which contracted with <br />the County to manage the shelter and be responsible for the operation of the shelter in a safe, <br />sanitary, humane, and efficient way. She referred to item number two of the contract. Over the <br />past year, the operations of the APS have been interrupted by Judith Reitman and Elliot <br />Cramer's appearances at the shelter. In each and every case, they have interfered with the <br />day-to-day work of the employees and their ability to take care of the shelter and the animals. <br />This prohibits the APS from honoring their contract with the County. She said that on one <br />occasion, one of the board members came to the shelter and encountered Mr. Cramer, and they <br />were in fear for their safety. This kind of action displayed is stalking, which is a criminal offense. <br />There has been publicity about the trespassing action that was taken against Elliot Cramer, and <br />she supports this action. They need the County to do whatever is necessary to allow the APS <br />to carry out its duties and its functions. <br />Kendall Page made reference to the second hand out -comparison of services. The <br />majority of the activities are funded over what the County funds and if the County takes over the <br />shelter, Orange County will not be able to provide the additional activities. In addition, the <br />County cannot solicit funds for donations. She said that the team at APS was a very good <br />team. She encouraged the County Commissioners to let the HSUS do its job. <br />Chuck Anderson distributed a document. He said that he did not know any of the facts <br />surrounding the controversy. He has become involved in the shelter work on aday-to-day basis <br />as a district court judge, having to put animals to sleep that have been charged with attacking <br />other animals and human beings. He also hears the cases regarding animals that have been <br />trained to be aggressive. He has been interested in how to better coordinate court <br />responsibilities with our County responsibilities. He knows that there were over 20 pit bull dogs <br />that were in the shelter for an extended period of time at the expense of the shelter and the <br />County while a criminal case got continued. These matters have led him to do some volunteer <br />work at the shelter. He has enjoyed his time. The most impressive thing to him has been the <br />dedicated staff at the shelter. He is concerned that the extended public debate about shelter <br />services is beginning to affect the morale of the staff, the public impression of the individuals <br />who work there, and the quality of services provided to the community and the animals. He said <br />that he has become a member of the APS Shelter Committee. He is not on the board and he is <br />not a resident of Orange County. He is interested in the facility being adequate for their animals <br />