By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

Businessman Bob Levesque failed to convince Levy County Commissioners Tuesday a workshop was needed to discuss “antiquated” ordinances related to animal cruelty and abuse laws, but the board agreed Animal Services Director David Weatherford should begin to examine the ordinances as he sees fit.

Levesque, president of Levy Animal Friends, made it clear he was not there to criticize county staff. He felt the animal services staff was doing a good job. He was focused instead on discussing county ordinances and potentially revising them to better protect animals from abuse, cruelty, and neglect.

“I didn’t come today with a plan to revamp all of our ordinances, but one critical factor that I’d like to look at the animal cruelty concerns we have,” Levesque said.

Levesque requested a workshop involving representatives of Levy Animal Services, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, County Coordinator Wilbur Dean and a representative of the Levy County Commission to openly discuss how the county responds to animal related calls, to better define such terms as “animal in distress” and the look at how ordinances sometimes “tie the hands” of Weatherford’s staff.

He wanted to examine all policies, procedures and ordinances dealing with the care, handling and housing of pets and the manner in which the county enforces its civil and criminal infractions when there are violations.

Weatherford said some of the ordinances probably should be tougher.

“I agree with one thing, maybe some of these county ordinances need to be stiffer,” Weatherford said. “Me and Ms. Anne (County Attorney Anne Bast Brown) have spoken

about that and we had planned on getting together and sitting down with a commissioner and changing some of our county ordinances – there’s a lot of gray in there; you know that as well as I do.” He was speaking to Levesque.

 

But Levesque’s idea to hold a public workshop to discuss animal protection issues was shot down, not by Weatherford, but by Brown when she suggested private staff meetings would be better than a public workshop.

Three of the four commissioners in attendance expressed an interest in a workshop until Brown told them that the working group Chairman John Meeks talked about creating and the workshop Levesque and Meeks seemed to favor would fall under the state’s Sunshine Law requirements.

The Sunshine Law would require the county to advertise public workshop meetings, take minutes and invite public participation, Brown said. She said it would take longer to arrange for public workshops. She suggested it might be better to discuss changes to ordinances at staff level meetings headed by Animal Services Director David Weatherford and he could report back to the board. She also said some members of the public might not be comfortable speaking at a public workshop.

“Some of the people who are involved may not want to be at a public meeting and feel free to express themselves if they’re not used to it,” Brown said.

Commissioner Mike Joyner was opposed to any public workshop. He said he agreed with everything Levesque said, but saw no point in a workshop. He preferred to let Weatherford and Dr. Darlene Esler, the animal services veterinarian use their discretion and expertise to decide how to handle all animal services calls.

“We can have a workshop, after workshop, after workshop, after workshop. We have a licensed veterinarian, very, very capable of doing what needs to be done. I’ve seen her in action and we have David (Weatherford) out there; to me, he’s one of the best department heads. We can have workshops to change ordinances. It won’t change how they do it,” Joyner said.

Ultimately Joyner and Brown prevailed. The board decided to let Weatherford meet with whomever he felt would contribute the most to the conversation. But Commissioner Matt Brooks insisted Levesque being included in any discussions to represent community animal groups. He said Levesque brought the matter to the board’s attention and is heavily invested in animal protection issues.

When Weatherford conducts his first staff meeting, Brooks said, he wouldn’t be surprised if there were suggestions made that lead to a workshop and the involvement of other animal groups in the community. He saw no harm in Weatherford taking a lead role in examining the ordinances and state statutes with input from Levesque and others, and with Weatherford reporting back to the board at a public meeting.

Brooks said he felt the board was open to improvement and he said there are community partners that are heavily involved in rescuing animals at the county shelter who may want to be part of the conversation. He said he interpreted Levesque’s presentation as an effort to start a conversion.

“If we’re not going to have a conversation, everyone’s going to be taking pot shots from miles away,” he said.

Weatherford agreed there should be involvement by people from outside county government.

Meeks said he wasn’t interested in the process being dragged out or swept under the rug. He said he didn’t want to hear Levesque come back in February angry that nothing had been accomplished.

“We’re not going to sweep this under the rug. I know you’re going to do it. You handle it as you see fit,” Meeks said to Weatherford.

 

Board of County Commission Regular Meeting November 6, 2018

Posted November 6, 2018