Dear Editor, This is in response to the recent article in the
Morgan Hill Times
”
Big changes in new city budget
”
(June 16) regarding the approved budget cuts.
Cutting Morgan Hill’s Animal Control officer is the wrong move
Dear Editor,
This is in response to the recent article in the Morgan Hill Times “Big changes in new city budget” (June 16) regarding the approved budget cuts. On June 15, Morgan Hill council members voted to eliminate the position of Morgan Hill Animal Control officer Daniel Pina, effective July 1, thus cutting 0.3 percent from the $26 million general fund budget. This was done at the recommendation of City Manager Ed Tewes with a vote of 4-1 (Councilwoman Marilyn Librers opposed).
Eliminating the services of our Animal Control officer is not a viable solution to the city’s economic woes. The Animal Control officer has an important role in the community and has many vital responsibilities such as:
– Enforcement duties, including all animal control laws.
– Responding to animal related complaints, reports of animal abuse or neglect, conducting investigations of cruelty.
– Providing emergency medical care for stray animals that are seriously ill or injured, including livestock and wildlife.
– Bearing the state-mandated responsibility of ensuring that dogs in the city of Morgan Hill are licensed and have current rabies vaccinations.
– Tracking potentially dangerous animals at large within the city limits.
– Providing a venue for animal problem resolution.
– Providing services for wildlife.
– Picking up deceased animals.
– Inspecting and licensing kennel operations including dog and cat breeders, pet shops, grooming salons and commercial boarding kennels.
As a result of budget cuts, animal services will now be split between one multiservice officer and one community service officer – and these responsibilities are in addition to the officer’s regular duties.
It is unrealistic and irresponsible to expect the same level of Animal Control services from an already overburdened police force. The elimination of the city’s only Animal Control officer service position will have a substantial negative impact on the community as a whole.
This is not the first time that the welfare of Morgan Hill animals under the management of Mr. Tewes has been negated (see “Audubon Society sues Morgan Hill”, Morgan Hill Times April 1, 2003). In March of 2003, Morgan Hill redevelopment projects trumped the habitat of the Western Burrowing Owl – a threatened and protected species.
Is it that difficult for a city manager – especially one whose total compensation from the city of Morgan Hill in 2010 was $267,932.80 (see www.morganhill.ca.gov “Employee Compensation” for a complete list of all city employees wages) – to come up with a better plan for the welfare and safety of the animals of our community?
Any ideas from his two assistant city managers – whose total compensation in 2010 exceeded $319,000? How about the newly appointed assistant city manager whose compensation will surpass $200,000 – have you a better plan?
Mr. Tewes stated in his 2011-2012 budget message “We must shrink city government to a level that can be sustained.”
By all means, put your money where your mouth is, Mr. Tewes, but please give us back our animal control officer.
I urge all concerned citizens to call, write, fax or email City Manager Ed Tewes, Mayor Steve Tate, and City Councilmembers and request they rescind their vote and reinstate officer Daniel Pina’s position.
Call (408) 779-7259 or write or visit: 17555 Peak Ave., Morgan Hill, CA 95037.
– Ed Tewes, City Manager: ci*********@mo********.gov; call (408) 779-7271 or fax (408) 779-1592.
– Mayor Steve Tate, Mayor: st********@mo********.gov.
– Rich Constantine, council member: ri**************@mo********.gov.
– Larry Carr, council member: la********@mo********.gov.
– Marilyn Librers, council member: ma*************@mo********.gov. (Please thank her for supporting Animal Control Services).
– Gordon Siebert, council member: go************@mo********.gov.
Evon Dumesnil, Morgan Hill
Time to put Americans first
Dear Editor,
In the battle over the budget Republicans are calling for cutting Medicare and Social Security, which in the long run is going to end up with old people dying in poverty on the streets like they did before we had those programs.
What they should cut instead is Iraq and Afghanistan. Those wars are wasting $2 billion a week and accomplishing nothing. Bin Laden is dead. Mission accomplished. Bring all the troops home now and add the $2 billion to shore up Medicare and Social Security. Wars aren’t free. We need that money here. Time to put Americans first. Throwing the elderly under the bus to pay for wars we never should have fought is just wrong.
Marc Perkel, Gilroy
