Jones sinks Fusco and a old hero may return

Just in case you can't download the Houston Press article (funny) from my email to Jo Jones. This story has more twists and turns...

Now one of the former veterinarians (a good one for a change) is suing the city and wanting his BARC job back. Many thinks he would make a good chief. He was fired for being a whisleblower to gross negligence and misconduct. HIs name is Gil Costas.

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Thank you, Council Member Jones for your courage in the matter of BARC. Some well meaning but easily fooled citizens misunderstood your intentions (please see comments in response to the following Houston Press piece):

My own answer mirrors the sentiment of those of us who not only love animals, but have no use for a conman who is out to fill his pockets pretending to find solutions that can be found at no higher cost than hiring a compassionate, experienced BARC chief and staff. Here is what I said:

Perhaps Jolanda Jones and those who voted to sustain the tag were not in as much of a hurry to see this annoing matter of BARC go away. Animals don't vote and time spent on their control, abuse, and extermination could be better invested in high profile people issues, right? I for one wish to commend Ms. Jones for being a pain, a joke... but above all for being perspicacious enough (unlike defenders of Fusco) to recognize a flim flam consultant when she sees one. Thanks are also in order for Council Members Adams, Gonzalez, Rodriguez, and Green who are willing to look at Fusco with the magnifying lense that his lack of transparency requires.

Sincerely,

Dolores Proubasta

**************** Excerpt from Houston Press Hair Balls blog account...

City Council once again delayed the vote on extending BARC Interim Chief Gerry Fusco's contract today, possibly killing any chance to revive the vote in the future. Fusco's initial agreement with the City, made possible via a $49,500 purchase order, expires Friday.

[...]

After weeks of delays, Council was expected to vote -- and approve -- the contract today, Councilwoman Jolanda Jones tagged the item, saying crucial questions she raised two weeks ago still haven't answered.

The move sparked a contentious debate over whether to override her tag -- a rare Council procedure requiring ten votes. Some council members indirectly accused Jones of strategically tagging the vote to sink the contract, and not for legitimate purposes. (Jones also said she received word that Fusco said he would quit if Council didn't approve the contract today, which she described as a "tantrum." Hair Balls hasn't been able to confirm said tantrum, and whether or not involved the holding of breath and/or stomping of feet).

Voting to override the tag were Mayor Bill White and council members Sue Lovell, Anne Clutterbuck, M.J. Kahn, Mike Sullivan, Pam Holm, Peter Brown, Toni Lawrence, and Melissa Noreiga.

Council members Wanda Adams, Ed Gonzalez, Ron Green, James Rodriguez voted to sustain the tag. Councilman Jarvis Johnson was present at the meeting but absent for the vote.

[...]

UPDATE: We just got word that Fusco said he will stick around through the next Council vote, which is September 16.