Perry residents speak on how city could make most of FOPAS situation

PERRY, Ga. — Wendy Chaplin said the fostering process leading to finding a dog their forever home is something she has grown to love. She came forward at the meeting of mayor and council on Tuesday to share her foster experience with city leadership.

“We have got to try and give our best and our all to these animals,” Chaplin said. “They don’t have anybody, and they don’t have a voice — and we are trying to give them a voice, to be a foster, to get that chance and to not be euthanized.”

She said that by saving an animal’s life, you are likely saving a person’s life in the process.

“Dog and cats can put life back into people’s own lives,” Chaplain said. “We need animals; they teach us love, they teach us tenderness, they give us things that nobody else sometimes can give us when we need it the most.”

Alyssa Madon of Canine Clubhouse — a local facility offering doggie daycare, boarding and training — addressed mayor and council, saying the building was originally built with adoptions in mind, but a good portion of the community does not even know about it.

“It is set up for people to drive in, to drop their dogs off, for people to view the dogs without even coming into contact,” Madon said. “If you build a $750,000 facility and you don’t utilize it and you don’t have enough people in there, that’s on you guys; that makes the city look bad. That place is beautiful, and nobody gets to see it.”

She said more work is done at the Friends of Perry Animal Shelter (FOPAS) than the city’s animal shelter and if the city facility was used correctly, the city could take some stress off of FOPAS or not even need that shelter at all.

“You guys all paid for it; the taxpayers paid for it — then use it,” Madon said. “You might have to hire somebody. I mean, the animal control people can only use so much; they’re pulling the dogs off the roads and stuff like that. You need somebody in that building to get dogs adopted. Don’t lean on FOPAS.”

She said the facility is prepared for overflow as well, with its extra kennels outside. The clubhouse could also make for a great outreach opportunity for the city, she explained.

Maggie Coughlin said the city should see this moment as a chance to do great things for the animals.

“What I hope that you will choose to do is really embrace this for the possibility and the opportunity that it could be — not only to do good things in the community but for partnerships in the community,” Coughlin said.

She recommended some common techniques from other shelters, including utilizing volunteers for social media support, photography and service hours, especially if full-time work was not in the budget for all of those positions.

She said taking advantage of the downtown festivals and events for letting people know about adoptable animals could be another option to try.

“You have an opportunity to make a real connection with the community to make a really noteworthy story — and if you want to be a destination city, you’ve got to have a very clear story,” she added. “And this could be such a really wonderful part of Perry’s story if it’s invested in.”

Dee Allison, president of the Humane Society of Houston County, came forward and asked about the euthanasia rate at the local Animal Control facility and what the budget was regarding veterinary costs for euthanasia.

City Manager Lee Gilmour said mayor and council did not have those numbers on hand, and the cost of professional services are not separated out in that specific area of the budget.

Allison said she felt “uneasy” on some general comments from the city at Monday’s work session regarding aggressive or less desirable animals.

“Being a facility in that situation, it’s not the best situation to decide who stays and who goes,” Allison said. “There has got to be a situation of some sort of evaluating them because like I said, we get dogs that are shut down.

“We get dogs in there that we’ve got to wear body gloves on. And after about three weeks, they decide that we are not the Antichrist; they have decided that we are okay — those are the same ones that are in our lap that are licking our faces and are moving on to being adoptable dogs.”

She said some cats are feral, but some just need some extra attention and time. She said “you can’t judge a book by its cover.”

Ashley Hardin, economic development administrator, said the City of Perry has been officially designated as a Broadband Ready Community, joining 50 other communities in the state with the same designation.

Mayor and council held the second of three public hearings regarding the new millage rate. No one came forward for comment.

Council unanimously approved a request from the Board of Elections to utilize Perry Events Center for upcoming voting sessions.

Mayor, council and staff held the second reading of an ordinance to amend the Land Management Ordinance relative to establishing a Historic Preservation Commission and supporting procedures and standards.

Ellie Loudermilk with the Perry Area Historical Society came forward with her comments regarding the ordinance.

“For 10 years, I have wanted to see this commission being considered,” she said. “Not only are you helping yourselves by doing this, but you’re also helping organizations like the Historical Society because every grant that has a significant amount of money attached to it requires a Historical Commission.”

Council approved the ordinance unanimously.

Assistant City Manager Robert Smith brought forward a $99,000 bid for Griffin Grading & Concrete LLC to complete 1.5 miles of concrete path throughout Pine Needle Park (approved unanimously), a recommendation to reject all proposals and be on the lookout for new ones regarding a playground at Pine Needle Park (rejected unanimously) as well as a $19,000 bid to Adrenaline Powersports for a Fire/Rescue UTV (approved unanimously).

Interim Police Chief Alan Everidge introduced two new hires with his department, Sierra Carroll and Sean Whilden.

Alicia Hartley, downtown manager, brought forward two special events applications: one to close down the 900 block of Carroll Street at 3 p.m. on Oct. 20 in preparation for the Harvest Dinner taking place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. as well as one to close from Marion Street to Washington and Carroll streets in preparation for the Sweets and Treats event on Oct. 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Council approved these applications unanimously.

Council approved a request for the Perry Chamber to hold their Business Battlefield event on Sept. 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the greenspace near the Events Center.

Visit the city website to view agendas and minutes from previous meetings as well as those to come: perry-ga.gov/government/city-council/council-agendas-minutes.

The next council meeting will take place for pre-council at 5 p.m. on Sept. 6 with the official council meeting beginning at 6 p.m. There will not be a council work session the day before.

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