Treated rudely by Commissioners

Dear Editor:

I have lived in Morgan County for 21 years. I have been attending the County Commission meetings for the past few months to follow the Animal Control issue. I have watched Commissioners Dugan and Close alienate numerous volunteer groups and individuals considered to be experts in all facets of animal care and kenneling.

I have listened to these experts offer their advice on how to rise above the substandard care the county now provides to homeless animals. I have watched them berate well-intentioned people for their suggestions.

If it weren’t for the numerous rescue organizations that ran to the aid of the county to care for and place all the animals from the recent seizure, the county would still have these animals in their inhumane care. The actions of Dugan and Close have resulted in each of these organizations vowing to never offer assistance to the county again. Their lack of people skills and management ability are blatantly obvious.

Previously, I personally owned and operated a boarding facility with the capacity to care for 113 dogs and 30 cats. When I spoke before the commissioners a few weeks back, Dugan insulted me by requesting the name and address of my former business so she could verify I was telling the truth about my experience.

At the most recent meeting, I watched Dugan and Close refuse to vote to reappoint Amy Lane to the County Planning Commission because of her stance on Animal Control. Lane never missed a meeting in four years and served on every subcommittee formed by the Planning Commission. Their decision was obviously out of spite. What a way to thank our volunteers for serving their community!

It is time for the commissioners to find a solution to the Animal Control issue instead of insisting that they have everything under control. Everyone is tired of hearing about Animal Control issues and it is up to our commissioners to come up with a solution.

I hold them personally responsible that this issue is front page news each week. Their vindictive behavior is very unbecoming of an elected official.

Anthea McCallister
Berkeley Springs