FLORENCE – Several City Council members have expressed to the Quad-Cities Daily their support for a new animal shelter. However, at this week’s Council meeting, they did not anticipate allegations of racism.
The Florence Lauderdale Animal Shelter, over-crowded and in need of refurbishment and repair, has been the subject of debate for the past few years. To say the least, the shelter has had its ups-and-downs. Just over a year ago there was a major upheaval in the day-to-day operation involving volunteers. One of the shelter’s long-time volunteers, Debbie Rappuhn, was actually barred from the facility. The Florence Police Department, which has responsibility for the operation of the shelter, decided that Rappuhn’s political position presented them with an untenable situation. And this is but one of the challenges the administration has faced.
Sources who asked for anonymity tell the Quad-Cities that plans for a new shelter have been mulled about for at least 2 years. They say the facility is simply overrun and the notion of transforming a facility of this size into a no-kill shelter is simply not workable.
So on Tuesday night, when the City Council began consideration of a new shelter location on Fairgrounds Road, their musings didn’t turn out like they expected. Ashley Stoddard, member of Friends of the FL Animal Shelter gave a presentation during the public input portion of the meeting.
Stoddard presented the Council & Mayor Mickey Haddock with photos of the shelter showing peeling paint, mold, and other faults. There were photos of the animals living in the shelter with broken release doors, over-crowded kennels, etc.
Ashley Stoddard addresses Council
Ashley said that repairs were needed on the old shelter immediately. She noted that even if a new shelter were to be approved immediately, it would be a year-and-a-half before the facility could be opened. The need for repairs to the existing facility are needed now. She emphasized that shelter employees should not have to work in those conditions, and the animals need safer places. She stated that there are 200 animals in the shelter now.
Councilman Graham said that they were working as quickly as they can on the Shelter & that he would welcome a shelter in his neighborhood.
Councilman Morris thanked those who raised the subject of the new shelter at the Council meetings. He said that he had visited the animal shelters in Decatur & Huntsville & that they are well-built & well run. He invited everyone to visit a well-functioning shelter. He feels that the Shelter would not be a nuisance to the neighborhood.
Councilman Edwards commended those who care for animals that end up with better lives because of what shelter employees and volunteers do. He will proud of having a new shelter.
Councilman Betterton said that the community needs more information on spay & neuter to help prevent the excess of dogs & cats.
Councilman Jordan thanked the activists for our pushing the subject & for their continued guidance.
But then the other shoe dropped. James Bankston, a resident of of Randolph Street, a predominately African-American section of the City, spoke to the Council and said that the location of a shelter at that site is a “racist decision”. He said that because Norwood Park is largely “black” is why the “pound” is being put there. He asked for help in protesting PAWS, which he characterized as being a special interest group. He asked for anyone who would to join him in protesting against PAWS & the “power they have over the Mayor & City Council”. Community activist, Billy Ray Simpson cast his lot with Mr. Bankston, saying that the Council should not jump into committing to the construction of the shelter at Fairgrounds Road. District 1 Council Member Dave Smith also said that he was not in favor of building the shelter at the site in question.
