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seen so many people upset with each other over an honorable cause. He said that he <br />did not want to participate with ar listen to people that continually tear each other down. <br />He sees na hope in this. He said that the Board has lost an opportunity to make same <br />decisions. He does not see any long-range option to salve this and he thinks the only <br />long-range option is far the County government to run the shelter. He said that there is <br />a time to stop and make a decision. He thinks the best thing to do is for the County to <br />step in and take over the operation. If he were to support the proposal for APS tonight, <br />it is for one good reason -because they have an experienced base. He is for the <br />County stepping in and taking aver the operation and putting together a group of <br />citizens that can decide they all want to work in a cooperative manner for the benefit of <br />animals. He would like to know if there are other counties in North Carolina similar to <br />composition and size to Orange County that are running their shelters. He is willing to <br />go and visit these shelters. <br />John Link said that Cumberland, Iredell, and Johnston Counties all have shelters that <br />are run by the county managers. <br />Commissioner Carey asked about the $16,000 figure, and if it is revenue and where it <br />comes from. Pam Jones said that it is $16,000 worth of revenue and $11,000 for <br />veterinary services. This is a net revenue of $5,000. <br />Commissioner Carey thanked all of the staff for all three proposals and he commended <br />everyone that prepared proposals in such a short period of time. He would like to move <br />ahead. He views this as an interim step that buys some time to get a more reasoned <br />group of citizens and others to work together and develop a series of long-term <br />recommendations far management of the shelter and the facility itself. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like to echo Commissioner Halkiatis' <br />concerns. He said that we talk a lot about collaboration and cooperation and we are <br />always looking to promote cooperative efforts. He tries to remain optimistic that we can <br />work with others and that we can get others to work with each other. He agrees with <br />Commissioner Halkiatis and that the County does need to operate the shelter but he <br />does not want to hire another 19 employees and create another extension of our <br />bureaucracy. He would like to know what the experience has been with the rescue <br />squad and what affect it has had on volunteerism. This is an opportunity to maintain <br />volunteer participation. He thinks that the County needs to hire a management team <br />and to create some criteria for any board of directors of any private entity that we would <br />work with. He thinks that whatever is decided in the interim that they need to look at <br />new alternatives about haw to run the animal shelter. He would want to hire a shelter <br />director, an operations manager, and a veterinarian. He would like to get the task force <br />moving before the winter break. He would be comfortable with having the County <br />operate the animal shelter. He trusts the Manager and that we can do this in a way that <br />will not be antagonistic to anybody. He would like to ask the Manager to come back <br />and give examples of possibilities. Durham County has a partnership and he would like <br />to look into this. He looks at the decision tonight as a bridge to get where the County <br />needs to go as soon as possible. <br />