Gallatin News
GALLATIN WEATHER

Hall is ‘on top’ of the pound




By Marjorie Lloyd marjorie@thegallatinnews.com County Executive Ragan Hall, Portland, County Commissioners Anthony Holt and Joe Matthews, both of Gallatin, and Shawn Fennell, Bethpage, displayed their commitment to stay “on top” of the needs throughout Sumner County by donning their work clothes and working at the Sumner County Rabies Control Office last Saturday. “We’ve been here since six this morning,” said Hall, as he climbed down a ladder off the roof of the holding building. Trusties from the Sheriff’s Office also were on hand to help with the clean-up.Kate Matthews joined her husband and stained the front and back decks of the animal office gray, while Matthews and Holt helped paint the concrete pens inside the holding building, a former garage. “I just wish the shelter were open on Saturdays,” said Kate, pointing out the short hours that the public has access to the animals for viewing. “Kids are in school now, and I work (so there is no convenient) time.”Hall made repairs on the roof of the holding building. According to Hall, the new paint will reflect the heat better. The building is not air-conditioned and large portable fans now stand in corners pointed toward the pens and cages, often missing them completely.”We’ve poured concrete in front of the office,” said Hall, and he pointed out that the tall grass had been cleared from the perimeter fence.He also stated that they had worked on the interior of the office, which is a portable building. “We’ve cleaned out the old carpet and pads in the office and are putting in commercial grade carpet that is easier to clean.”Hall, who has been out to the facility “six or seven times,” said, “We’re just trying to make it better.”In discussing the restricted hours of the facility, now open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hall stated that he hoped arrangements for longer hours could be made with the city, which is renting the facility to the county. “They accommodate us, and we accommodate them.”Hall is in the process of receiving applications from volunteers throughout the county who have expressed their offers of help at the animal control facility. “We want (volunteers) helping us,” said Hall, explaining that new policies and procedures would be set in place. “We want you safe. At the same time, we don’t want you hurting our animals.”Hall noted that he has added more than 50 rescue groups to those that have adoption privileges at the animal control office in an attempt to raise the number of adoptions.”The reason we have animal control is irresponsible pet owners,” said Hall. “This is an issue Sumner County deals with. But if we had responsible pet owners, we wouldn’t have this problem.”He added, “In the future, hopefully, we can have a very effective spay and neuter program. All of a sudden, it will lower the cost of the shelter and reduce the volume of animals here. I’m a strong advocate for that. Nothing would make me happier than having animals all go to a loving home. But we’re not there today.”However, the commissioner said, “Under my watch, it’s going to get better.” Commissioner Holt, who is opposing Hall in the upcoming Republican caucus for the County Executive’s position, also has strong opinions about the management of the animal control facility. “I want to do the best job I can, whether animal control or anything else. . . . It’s going to take the cooperation of everyone in the county.”

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