Brownwood News – More than 50 citizens attended a meeting Wednesday night, March 4, of the Board of Directors of the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center.  The meeting was moved to the Depot Civic and Cultural Center to provide more room.

While the board meeting itself began at 6:05 pm, six current members of the board held a question and answer session with the public from 5 to 6 pm.  Not present for the Q and A, or the Board meeting itself, was Debra Dixon who is the current Board President, though some at the meeting voiced they believe by-laws of the 501(c) (3) organization were not followed when she was elected.

Since December 16, the Board has been in turmoil and divided.   Dixon was elected President in what was referred to Wednesday night by some as a coup to take control of the organization.

Current board members present say that, up until yesterday, they had not been allowed into the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center since a heated Board meeting several weeks ago.

Present for the meeting Wednesday from the City of Brownwood were City Manager, Emily Crawford, and City Attorney, Pat Chesser.  After several citizens and Board members voiced their concerns about the animal center at a City Council meeting last week, the City responded with a letter to the organization giving them 60 days to correct their issues.  The City owns the shelter building but does not operate the shelter.  It has been governed by a Board for several decades.  The City also provides some funding to the animal center.

Board Vice-President, Sherry Howry, presided over the official meeting which started at 6:05 pm.

Six board members were present in person, another by Skype, making seven.  The board has room for 15 members.

 

Action taken by the Board Wednesday night was as follows:

  • Minutes from a February 4 meeting were denied after questions arose on their accuracy.
  • The financial report was presented. The Board voted to deny acceptance of the financial report as presented.
  • Board members present approved appointment of two new board members, Leona Cleveland and John Morris.

A member of the Board of Directors since January 7 is Stephen Finch, (shown in the photo above).  He has been vocal in raising concerns over how the Board has been functioning, how finances are being depleted and how the animals are being cared for.  We talked to him after the meeting.

Brownwood News – “Give the people an idea of what happened here tonight and the action taken by the Board.

Finch – “We voted on some new board members and we have opened ourselves back up to the public.  For quite a while the public has been shut out.  With this board that’s here tonight, we are open. If people have questions, if they want to know what’s going on, we’ll talk.”

Brownwood News – “Who are the Board members?”

Finch – “We have John Morris (elected Wednesday night), myself Steve Finch, my wife Veronica Finch, Sherry Howry, Bill Howry, Leona Cleveland (elected Wednesday night), Betty Cass and Alan Cass.”  (board members not present Wednesday night were Patricia Caudill, Kevin Kitchens, Peggy and Larry Eason and Debra and Bob Dixon)

Brownwood News – “You have nine members who were here tonight (including the two newly elected).”

Finich – “Correct”

Brownwood News – “And it’s a 15 member board?”

Finch – “Correct”

Brownwood News – “And you had six members that were not here tonight?”

Finch – “Yes”

Brownwood News – “It was said that the volunteers are doing a great job out there, can you comment on that?”

Finch – “Actually it’s our staff.  They are actually employees.  The volunteers have fairly much been run off but we’re hoping that’s going to change real soon.  We want the volunteers.  We need the volunteers.  This facility has run off of volunteers for 30 years.  It’s only been within the last three or four months that they have been restricted.”

Brownwood News – “Do you feel good about the meeting?”

Finch – “I feel good about the meeting.  The number one thing is the public has had lots of questions.  This is the best way for them to get factual answers.  Facebook is not real reliable.  Word of mouth is not real reliable.  This is coming straight from board members as to what is going on.  The numbers of the shelter are going down without the euthanasia.  We are getting them out to rescues and to adoptions.  We are having some coming in but the conditions that are there is better than what it was last week and I hope next week we make the same kind of progress.”

Board members present Wednesday night report they do, once again, have access to the shelter.  They are working through questions regarding finances and control of the center’s bank accounts.

As for the animals, their care and safety, it was reported in the meeting that:

  • Shelter conditions are much improved thanks to dedicated employees
  • There were 140 dogs in the center last week
  • There were 95 dogs needing homes as of Wednesday
  • None have been euthanized as was alleged by a false Facebook post
  • The dog that had been in the center the longest, 18 months, was adopted this week.
  • The shelter is now networking
  • The shelter is still accepting animals

The public is being invited to get involved, to once again volunteer and to attend the next meeting of the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center.  The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm Wednesday, March 11, at a location to be determined and announced.