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| Ann’s Place under scrutiny for conditions |
By: Donna Ryder, Associate Editor
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Posted: Wednesday, March 3, 2010 8:45 pm
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By DONNA RYDER
Associate Editor
Issues about Ann’s Place, owned by the Ken-Tenn Humane Society, have been brought before the Union City Council again, but this time it’s not just the public complaining.
Union City resident Roger Kimmell appeared before the council Tuesday night asking, “What’s going on at the dog pound?” and “Why are they not building?”
Mayor Terry Hailey said the council has had questions about that as well.
Kimmell said it’s been two years since the Ken-Tenn Humane Society took over the dog pound in Union City. It had been previously run by Tim Doyle until a dog, which was picked up outside the city limits, was put to sleep before the required number of days an animal should have been held had passed. Kimmell said in those two years, the ice storm has been through and the dogs “have been sitting in mud half the time.”
“I thought they were going to build as soon as possible,” Kimmell said, with Hailey responding, “That’s what we thought. That’s what we were told.”
Kimmell said he has had friends who have had their dogs in 10-foot by 10-foot fences, but they’ve been arrested, fined and had their animals taken away because of those conditions.
The mayor said, “What you’re saying is we’re doing worse.”
Kimmell, who had worked with Doyle, said the dogs were in much better condition when they were held in the building owned by Doyle. He said they even had air conditioning — to which councilman Bill “Rat” Harrison commented that it must have been like a hotel compared to where the dogs are now.
Kimmell said he “figured the humane society would be better.” He continued by saying he had been to the shelter and inside the trailer. “Tim’s was a lot better,” he said.
He commented on the condition of the trailer and said there must have been 50 cats in one room. He said although there was a small kiddy swimming pool with kitty litter inside, the cats still used the floor. “Maybe the litter box was too bad for them to use,” councilman Johnny Bacon replied.
“The place is not kept up,” Kimmell added.
The resident said he tried to adopt a bobtailed cat, but he was told it would cost him $25. “I thought this was a donation thing,” he said, adding he “would have loaded up all the cats and they’d have a better life than what they’ve got.”
“It’s a disgrace to Union City,” Harrison said.
Interim city manager Kathy Dillon said the Ken-Tenn Humane Society now has a donated house vacated and on the market for sale. The group is using money paid to it by the city to maintain its current situation, feeding the animals and paying bills associated with Ann’s Place. She added she spoke with attorneys on Tuesday about the situation.
After the meeting was opened in prayer by city attorney Jim Glasgow Jr., the council:
• Voted to take bids on the demolition of the building at 908 East Mercer St.
• Wanted to make sure rural residents covered by the Union City Fire Department are aware that everything is “as usual” with the city’s rural fire subscription fee and if they want coverage, they need to pay their subscription fee. Harrison said he understands the county’s rural fire protection issue is far from being solved and had read in The Messenger that Troy Mayor Jimmie Hart will not be signing the contract with Obion County at the suggestion of Municipal Technical Advisory Service officials.
“The city is moving forward as we always have. We have changed nothing,” Ms. Dillon said, adding bills are going out.
Councilman Judy Robinson, who works at Obion County Farm Bureau, said there has been some confusion at her office because they have received a report that the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) has changed the status of rural residents covered by Union City Fire Department. She said they are no longer being considered as being subscription-covered residences, which is causing an increase in their insurance fees. She asked that Ms. Dillon speak with Fire Chief Kelly Edmison about it and find out why her business had received the report, especially since Union City has not changed its subscription fee service.
• Asked if the Obion County Sheriff’s Department has a litter crew that works in Union City. Harrison said the lots at the intersection of High School and Sunswept drives have a lot of litter on them. Ms. Dillon said she is turning the matter over to the codes department.
• Heard things are progressing with Hope of Martin on property which had been owned by Obion County and allowed to become a nuisance. Harrison said he had noticed in The Messenger that Hope of Martin has advertised for bids for the demolition of buildings. Ms. Dillon said she is still working on deeding over two other properties to the organization.
• Learned from Hailey the Civic Auditorium Committee met last week and decided to increase rental rates to $500 per day for commercial and $300 per day for non-profit. The higher rates will allow someone to be hired to stay at the facility all day during an event. A $200 deposit must also be made for equipment use, with that returned when all equipment has been accounted for. He said several microphones and cords have disappeared over the years and the city will probably have to purchase replacements. In addition, anyone renting the facility must have a $750,000 insurance policy for use of the building, with the city added as an insured party.
He said the school locker issue has also been resolved.
Hailey said the city has neglected the Civic Auditorium over the years and it is in need of maintenance, including the resurfacing of the stage floor and repainting the walls.
• Was informed a meeting was held last week about the enhancement grant which is to pay for a walking track at the new industrial park. Hailey said they were “not all on the same page” with the amount of the grant or the amount the city would have to pay. A report will be made to the council after an updated design is prepared.
• Heard Union City Electric System will be switching the double fixtures on light poles to single fixtures. Hailey said the new lights will cost less and produce better lighting. The company will begin the changes on First Street. Harrison said this will result in “tremendous savings” for the city.
• Asked Ms. Dillon to contact state Rep. Judy Barker about the state highways in the city. It was stated that South First Street is in bad shape and Miles Avenue looked like a river when it rained recently.
Associate Editor Donna Ryder can be contacted by e-mail at dryder@ucmessenger.com.
Published in The Messenger 3.3.10
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