A resolution penned and presented by Helena-West Helena Council member Trece Shepherd-Williams was a hot topic at Tuesday’s Helena-West Helena City Council session, generating some heated debate.
The resolution received four affirmative votes of the nine council members-less than half of the attending members.
Several council members had problems with a portion of the document that read: “be it resolved that the city council of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas wholeheartedly expresses its support for Mayor James F. Valley and concur that his decision (abandoning 10 dogs) did not constitute a crime.”
Council member Jay Hollowell briefly looked at the document and expressed that he couldn’t support the resolution.
“There’s no way I can get into this,” Hollowell said stating that there were legal issues involved. “I’m not a judge and jury,” he stated.
Williams wanted to read the measure aloud before discussing the matter.
“I have a right to read this,” she said.
“I think you’re going in the wrong direction,” Holloway commented.
The resolution “recognized” that Valley “has worked diligently to serve the people” since consolidation. The resolution “expressed” concern that an “out-of-town activist has been able to convince an out-of-town judge” to sign a warrant of arrest for the mayor to “force the mayor to stand trial” for making a “very difficult” decision regarding the city’s policy for handling stray animals.
The resolution also said that the problems at the city’s dog pound were “inherited” and that the council “commits itself to doing whatever the law allows to provide for the mayor’s defense.”
I Hollowell suggested using the gas station property on Biscoe Street, which was donated to the city, as a shelter. He added that Phillips County and the Humane Society of the Delta needed to meet with the council about the issue.
Council member Joe St. Columbia proposed forming a committee, with most of the council agreeing that one was needed. Some council members expressed their displeasure over the amount of negative press the issue gained.
Council member Joseph Dean talked about the squirrel, raccoon, alligator, beaver and chicken problem the area seems to have and that no attention was given to those problems.
He said that it was “ironic” the current problems faced by the city was now an issue when they existed under previous city mayors.
“Now all of a sudden we’ve got a problem,” said Dean. He added that the Forrest City animal shelter was on the brink of closure.
Council member Eugene Johnson talked about supporting Valley and how much the mayor has done for the community. Council member Roy Reynolds asked if other cities in the county who used the facility could contribute finances to address the problem.
“Or you can present a plan and go look for funding sources,” commented Holloway. Council member Tommy Hunt asked to postpone a vote on the resolution because of the legal issues entailed.
“As far as this crime thing, there was no crime committed,” stated Valley adding that the council was not addressing issues that needed attention like those that involve citizens who are complaining about high water bills. He said that the council only held heated debates over his salary and the current animal issue.
Oscar Hoskins, the street department director, gave the council a summary about his Animal Control training. He outlined some of the training he received such as an understanding of rabies, first aid for animals, and euthanasia and shelter maintenance among other training subjects.
Hoskins said that Helena-West Helena was the only city at the training session without a shelter. He said that some cities spent $500,000 a year on animal control.
“We’re just behind,” he commented. “The way we were operating was illegal,” noting that the city wasn’t certified to use a dart gun and that city control officers euthanized animals in front of other animals, which is considered inhumane.
City Clerk Sandi Ramsey said that if the Biscoe Street property was converted into a shelter, there might be problems with residents complaining about the noise from the animals. Leash laws, registration and the cost of euthanasia, feeding and vaccinations were discussed. No decision was made regarding funding for a shelter.
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A resolution penned and presented by Helena-West Helena Council member Trece Shepherd-Williams was a hot topic at Tuesday’s Helena-West Helena City Council session, generating some heated debate.
The resolution received four affirmative votes of the nine council members-less than half of the attending members.
Several council members had problems with a portion of the document that read: “be it resolved that the city council of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas wholeheartedly expresses its support for Mayor James F. Valley and concur that his decision (abandoning 10 dogs) did not constitute a crime.”
Council member Jay Hollowell briefly looked at the document and expressed that he couldn’t support the resolution.
“There’s no way I can get into this,” Hollowell said stating that there were legal issues involved. “I’m not a judge and jury,” he stated.
Williams wanted to read the measure aloud before discussing the matter.
“I have a right to read this,” she said.
“I think you’re going in the wrong direction,” Holloway commented.
The resolution “recognized” that Valley “has worked diligently to serve the people” since consolidation. The resolution “expressed” concern that an “out-of-town activist has been able to convince an out-of-town judge” to sign a warrant of arrest for the mayor to “force the mayor to stand trial” for making a “very difficult” decision regarding the city’s policy for handling stray animals.
The resolution also said that the problems at the city’s dog pound were “inherited” and that the council “commits itself to doing whatever the law allows to provide for the mayor’s defense.”
I Hollowell suggested using the gas station property on Biscoe Street, which was donated to the city, as a shelter. He added that Phillips County and the Humane Society of the Delta needed to meet with the council about the issue.
Council member Joe St. Columbia proposed forming a committee, with most of the council agreeing that one was needed. Some council members expressed their displeasure over the amount of negative press the issue gained.
Council member Joseph Dean talked about the squirrel, raccoon, alligator, beaver and chicken problem the area seems to have and that no attention was given to those problems.
He said that it was “ironic” the current problems faced by the city was now an issue when they existed under previous city mayors.
“Now all of a sudden we’ve got a problem,” said Dean. He added that the Forrest City animal shelter was on the brink of closure.
Council member Eugene Johnson talked about supporting Valley and how much the mayor has done for the community. Council member Roy Reynolds asked if other cities in the county who used the facility could contribute finances to address the problem.
“Or you can present a plan and go look for funding sources,” commented Holloway. Council member Tommy Hunt asked to postpone a vote on the resolution because of the legal issues entailed.
“As far as this crime thing, there was no crime committed,” stated Valley adding that the council was not addressing issues that needed attention like those that involve citizens who are complaining about high water bills. He said that the council only held heated debates over his salary and the current animal issue.
Oscar Hoskins, the street department director, gave the council a summary about his Animal Control training. He outlined some of the training he received such as an understanding of rabies, first aid for animals, and euthanasia and shelter maintenance among other training subjects.
Hoskins said that Helena-West Helena was the only city at the training session without a shelter. He said that some cities spent $500,000 a year on animal control.
“We’re just behind,” he commented. “The way we were operating was illegal,” noting that the city wasn’t certified to use a dart gun and that city control officers euthanized animals in front of other animals, which is considered inhumane.
City Clerk Sandi Ramsey said that if the Biscoe Street property was converted into a shelter, there might be problems with residents complaining about the noise from the animals. Leash laws, registration and the cost of euthanasia, feeding and vaccinations were discussed. No decision was made regarding funding for a shelter.
