On Tuesday evening, with the County Council meeting about to
begin, half a dozen FOTAS volunteers passed around a small piece of pale blue
paper before handing it, ceremoniously, to Assistant County Administrator, Andy
Merriman. It was the largest check FOTAS
had ever written and probably the largest check most of them had ever
seen.
January 15th 2013 marked a huge milestone for the
FOTAS/County partnership. And the
presentation of a $125,000 check to Council that night, in front of a packed
chamber audience, was only one symbol of the accomplishments to date.
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| FOTAS Officers, Joya DeStefano, MaryLou Welch, Jeniffer Miller with Council Members Kathy Rawls and Ronnie Young present a check for $125,000 to the Aiken County Council. |
In the summer of
2011, following the renewal of the one-cent sales tax that assured at least one
million dollars for a new public animal shelter, FOTAS entered into a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Aiken County to pay “up to
$100,000” towards the architectural and
engineering (A&E) plans for a new County Shelter.
As the needs assessments unfolded, it became clear that both
figures were going to fall short of the funds needed for each purpose. By the end of the year, County Council began
closing the gap with another half-million dollar allocation. In return, FOTAS ramped up its outreach, and
the Aiken County community helped FOTAS triple the previous year’s revenue.
Last year, the perfect architectural firm was hired and the
initial images of “The Dream” began to emerge: a simple, practical, appealing
design that would support our community’s commitments to the public and our
animals.
The building is designed to take present fiscal realities
into consideration without undermining the potential for future
improvements. A&E for such proactive
thinking cost a little more, and FOTAS elected to cover the difference.
The mood in the room on Tuesday took all of the good will
into account. Chairman Young expressed
heartfelt appreciation of FOTAS hard work and achievements.
Councilman Singer reflected back over ten years to
dysfunctional committees and Council’s frustration at being unable to
effectively address an obvious need. He
commended the previous Assistant County Administator, Todd Glover, for helping
FOTAS to emerge as the animal advocacy partner to Animal Services that the
Animal Control Advisory Committee was never intended to be.
Lawana McKensie remarked that while FOTAS is saving
tax-payer dollars, they are helping look out for God’s creatures. She credited FOTAS with, “The wrong numbers…going
down, and the right numbers… going up,” and encouraged everyone to adopt a
shelter pet.
Council’s newest member, Andrew Siders, commended FOTAS volunteers’
passionate commitment and reminded listeners that they are all members of our Aiken
County community.
The incredible progress of the celebrated partnership was
then further honored with a unanimous decision by County Council to hire the
contractor for our New Aiken County Animal Shelter. We anticipate groundbreaking next month.
When Councilwoman Rawls notified FOTAS of the Council’s
action, she said, “After the
meeting several people from the audience came to me and said what a great thing
you are doing for the county. (Usually people come up to me after a
meeting to complain.)”
What a grand and Blessed adventure!
FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 411 Wire Road. For more information, contact “info@fotasaiken.org” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org
Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By the Numbers”
Week of Jan. 7-13: “Puppy
Season” and a hoarder busted with sick cats!
Received: 66 dogs and 78 cats!
Adopted: 11 dogs and 2 cats
Put down: 27 dogs and
59 cats!
Aiken County Shelter: "Pets of the Week!"
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SPUDS – 8 mos.
and 30lbs. He is a favorite of the volunteers.
Take him home for $70.
|
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| OREO – Adult male. What a face with big green eyes! Purr-fect companion for $35 |
*All adoption fees include: Spay/Neuter, heartworm
test, all shots, worming, and microchip.
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Your comments and input are always welcome. We appreciate any suggestions or thoughts that will help FOTAS with their goal to help the Aiken County Animal Shelter become a happy, healthy place that never has to euthanize an adoptable pet.