Oreo is a mixed beagle available for adoption at the Tri-County Animal Shelter.

Leonardtown, MD — Out of the historic Jan. 12 meeting of the three county commissioner boards about the Tri-County Animal Shelter came a resolve for one immediate solution–air conditioning of the Hughesville facility. But when that resolve translated into a request from Charles County (which runs the shelter for the three counties) to do a $12,000 feasibility study for the air-conditioning, the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County balked.

The request was presented to the commissioners at their Jan 26 meeting by St., Mary’s County Director of the Department of Emergency Services & Technology Bob Kelly and Charles County Animal Control Services Chief C. Edward Tucker. The request was for St. Mary’s County to pay 37.5 percent of the cost of the study, or $4,500. St. Mary’s County contributes that same percentage for the operation of the shelter.

Commissioner Mike Hewitt [R – 2nd District] said, “I just think it is a waste of money. It‘s just not that sophisticated.”

Commissioner John O’Connor [R – 3rd District] jumped right in to support Hewitt. He said, “I think it is a terrible waste of taxpayer dollars.” O’Connor said a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HJVAC) contractor could say what was needed as part of their bid.

Tucker noted that the shelter had indoor/outdoor kennel runs which presented more complex air-conditioning problems. But O’Connor, who was a K-9 handler when he was in the U.S. Marine Corps, said the kennel at Quantico had a similar situation and a simple air-conditioning system.

Commissioner President Randy Guy {R], who said he installed an air-conditioning system in his own home, predicted that three separate units would be needed for the dog, cat and administrative areas.

Hewitt noted that the air-conditioning was considered a lower priority than more staff at the shelter by some shelter critics. Tucker said that was important too, but he noted the air-conditioning was not only essential for the animals but also the human shelter staff.

The request was denied on a 4-1 vote, with only Commissioner Todd Morgan [R – 4th] supporting it. But Commissioner Tom Jarboe [R – 1st District] insisted the vote against the study was not a vote against proceeding with the air conditioning. He asked Guy to send a letter on the Charles County Commissioners saying just that. Guy agreed.

Jarboe noted that St., Mary’s would probably not be the only county to vote against the air-conditioning feasibility study.

For the original The Bay Net report on the Jan 12 meeting by Marty Madden go to http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/0116/boardsdiscussanimalsheltersfuture.html

Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thjebaynet.com