Jolanda Jones statement

Bravo, Ms. Jones.

Those of us who have the (apparently rare) combination of respect for animals and street smarts recognize that Gerry Fusco is not the answer to BARC's woes. Thank you for standing in the way of a huge mistake the Council is at risk of making.

Everything Fusco knows about shelter management he has quickly gathered (as you or I can) from the Internet. As for his proclaimed business acumen ... according to a handful of "testimonials" from middle managers in mediocre companies. So much for his credentials.

In five weeks Fusco has, to use his words, "assessed staff, revised job descriptions, reorganized structure, engaged volunteers." A house of cards for which he has pocketed a PO fee many city employees would wish to earn in a year. His goals are mere regurgitations of what shelter management home pages list free of charge; and for those goals we are going to pay another $110K?

Will there be any money left to hire a "real" BARC chief, a veterinarian, and a volunteer coordinator, and to pay decent salaries to attract better staff? Because these people are the only ones who can turn BARC around. Not Gerry Fusco. He'll be gone, richer, and Houston will remain with a lousy animal shelter.

Wise decisions are often difficult and unpopular. Your are right, your colleagues are, well, deceived by Mr. Fusco's ruse.

Respectfully,

Dolores Proubasta

*******************September 3, 2009***************************

SUBJECT: Statement Regarding BARC Tag
For more Information please call Keith Wade at (713) 398-8969

Thank you to all who have fought so vigorously for the humane treatment of animals as it relates to BARC. My “tag” yesterday was for the sole purpose of receiving answers to my un-answered questions. I have been waiting for specific written answers to my specific questions for well over a week. I gave them to the Administration on August 21st. The Administration responded that they received my email on August 24th but did not respond to any questions. Much has been made about my “tag.” It is customary that council members use “tags” when questions remain unanswered. I did what we always do on council. It is however, unusual, for council members to try and override a “tag.” Thankfully it was not overridden.

Please understand that I expect Houston to do better regarding BARC. I am committed to it. I also want us to fund BARC sufficiently but we cannot be fiscally irresponsible in doing so. We, the City, have a history of throwing money at problems without clear plans for success. To date, I still have no specific answers. I’m hopeful my questions will be answered, by the next vote, because I want to make an informed decision with all information taken into account. I do not make uninformed votes. Thankfully and in the mean time, Mr. Fusco agreed to volunteer for the two weeks until the next vote. Now all I’m doing is waiting on written answers to my legitimately and validly asked questions.

I have worked hard to learn the issues related to BARC so that I can aid in finding a functioning and sustaining solution which treats animals at BARC humanely. No matter what, you have a constitutional right to your opinion. I respect everyone who has devoted so much time, emotion and heart to solving this problem. I have spent many hours researching this issue and trying to get all my questions answered. This is an important issue for me and will continue to be. We must have a holistic plan to cure the persistent BARK problem. As I stated at Council, I have heard of some positive change at BARC and that is valuable.

Perhaps we will all be on the same page in two weeks. I hope so. I think we have more in common than we have differences. I believe in dignified treatment of animals. Asking legitimate questions and getting them honestly answered, in my opinion, is the best way to fix BARC. I hope we can still work together in the future.

Jolanda Jones
Houston City Council