Animal Advocate Prompts Response
Bartow County is entering into many grant applications for infrastructure and other improvements but the heated topic of conversation at last Wednesday’s County commissioner meeting was the Bartow County Animal Control {BCAC).
The subject of improving the Bartow County Animal Control system and it’s collaboration with the Etowah Valley Humane Society (EVHS) was prompted by Susan Hueke of Marietta speaking publicly about concerns. Hueke said she was asked to come as a spokesperson representing those living in Bartow County because they had to work and she was retired.
Hueke said she wanted to “start a conversation” about needed changes and suggested the facility open up to adoptions and allowing volunteers to come in with helping with the animals. This could reduce kennel stress and keep many from being euthanized, she said.
“I think we are above par. Our standard of operations is there,” Taylor said. “I think the problem with animal control is primarily a perception on social media.”
Taylor said he gets many public calls after something runs on social media about animal control. He calls animal control and they tell him something completely different.
Cartersville Mayor Matt Santini, who decided to stay at the meeting after posing for a picture, said that much of the problem is irresponsible pet owners who get pets they can’t afford, don’t have them spayed and neutered, and let them stray.
Hueke said the group she represents, Reform Bartow County Animal Control, has four objectives. They want to open up the facility for adoptions, allow volunteers to come in and help, get more safe and humane vet care available to animals in the facility, and have the center create a plan to offer affordable spay and neuter for dogs and cats.
In other business, Taylor authorized many documents, grants, and funding applications including:
A contract for the Cass-White Road Bridge Widening Project and congressional request matching funds for the $3 million project with the county paying a 20 percent match.
Documents to begin engineering for the Old Alabama Road-Paga Mine Road Project and the Burnt Hickory/Mac Johnson Road Improvement Project.
A contract for the Wilderness Camp Trail System Phase 3 construction. The cost is $915,000
Extending the service agreement with the University of Georgia Extension Office through June. The cost is $22,000. The federal government was supposed to pay for the contract but isn’t right now so officials said the county has to pick up the payment until funding issues are resolved.
A congressional request for a pump station, treatment facility and transmission water main for the Highland 75 Industrial Park Area. The $3 million project will include a 20 percent county match.
The rezoning request by Gallco Investments LLC for Cassville Road was approved upon recommendation from the Bartow Planning Commission.
The other request, which had a planning commission denial, regarding a high-density residential area was withdrawn.
Melody Dareing is a freelance writer for publications in the U.S, Canada, the UK and Germany. She is a former news director of Adelphia Channel 4 and WBHF Radio. She is on Facebook, X, YouTube, content on Substack, and has a podcast on Rumble.