On July 17th, the "Friends" of the shelter packed the town meeting. I was approached by the Business Adminstrator, Mr. Jacobs, and asked to call him on Tuesday, July 18th.
I called Mr. Jacobs the next day, the day after and he finally returned the call on Friday, July 21st. The conversation was not really a dialogue. Mr. Jacobs "informed" me of "developments". He gleefully told me of a meeting for Tuesday, July 25th with Sonja Gunderson where the subject would be the expansion of the center. He reiterated Sonja's job would be full time and secure.
Mr. Jacobs went on to say all the things I believe he believed I wanted to hear. I was under the mistaken assumption the conversion would be a dialogue. I managed to say a few things to which he repeatedly responded "we know about that already".
I would have to describe this "conversation" as a token phone call designed to blow me off. There was no mention of wanting or needing any input from the group.
I was not suprised when Sonja was called the following Monday, July 24th and told the "spokesperson" had to be from Old Bridge. I thought it intereting Mr. Jacobs was under the false assumption that he or the Mayor could decide who should be or participate in an ad hoc group. I guess he hasn't noticed Bono working for African children. I know for a fact Bono does not live in Africa. I guess he also hasn't noticed Brad and Angelina working on issues in Afirca as well. They certainly do not live in Africa.
Mr. Jacobs and Mayor Phillips are incorrectly reading this situation. The group formed to help the shelter will continue to meet with or without their help.
As it turns out, the Tuesday meeting supposed to be about expansion was not about expansion. Expansion was not even mentioned. Sonja was assured of a full time instead of part time job. As she is working a 60-80 hour week, going from part to full time just gets her a reasonable pay. They had the nerve to ask her to do more work.
They also reiterated the "spokesperson" should be from Old Bridge and offered a paid position for a Liason from the Mayors office. Who needs a liason when the shelter needs staff. There is already a liason in place, the police officer who works with Sonja at the shelter. Is someone in the administration getting a nice job when the shelter needs 4 full time staff people. Is this administration expecting to keep the staus quo?
I guess if you are Mayor Jim Phillips or Mr Jacobs you might think you have powerto not respond to the needs of the animals! They both have forgotten they are in elected positions. As the spokesperson for the friends group, I can say with complete certainty, this adminsitration has a choice. They can help or not help the shelter.
I can also say with great certainty the Friends will watch to see what the administration does to help the shelter. In less than a week, the administration has lied twice. For me, its three strikes and your out. There wil be no picketting, no nasty behavior. The Friends group will instead focus on helping the shelter.
If the adminstration does what it plans to do with no input from the volunteers, the Friends or the lone staff person Sonja, we will look to the next election to put in a "pro animal"candidate. As I said in the Town Council meeting there is a national movement of "animal" lovers who intend to put forth a platform with regards to domestic animals. We will be looking for candidates who will help us achieve a better quality of life for our domestic animals.
Since "animal lovers represent 40% of any city's population, we are likely to be able in get alot of people involved in various communities. This administration was offered the opportunity to do the right thing. Within a week, they have bullied us and lied to me. Mr. Jacobs clearly said the meeting was about expansion. The metting had no mention of expansion.
I have no interest in disrupting Mayor Phillips or Mr. Jacobs's agenda. I will watch and see what they do. The "Friends" will work to create high visibility. We will try to know the coomunity of Old Bridge and let them know about us.
evie litwok, for "the tippy story" and spokesperson for the "Friends"
