By Linda Dean Cooper

A little background before we get into Diane Marchand’s April 16 timeline of no full-time veterinarian for Animal Control. The Levy BoCC has to date, not mentioned anything publicly about the sudden resignation of full-time veterinarian Darlene Esler, nor the unexpected transfer of then director David Weatherford to the construction and maintenance department, nor have they publicly acknowledged the transfer of Rod Hastings from the landfill to animal control department.  According to the latest organizational chart, Hastings is not named in the chart as a director or a manager as other department heads are listed. There is only a blank space with the title of Animal Services with their phone number. The absence of Hastings’ name at animal control is not an oversight, it is just that no one from the county wants to discuss it.

The public should take notice of an especially important policy change the BoCC made in April 2023. Then chairman Matt Brooks spearheaded, got approval, and signed ordinance 2023-18, which amended the BoCC’s agenda and public participation policy outlined in Resolution 2013-52.  

Here is an important nugget of information in that ordinance:  Per Resolution 2023-18, the public can comment on matters that are not on the Agenda during General Public Comment but the only people who can add items to the BoCC agenda are county constitutional officers, county commissioners, and county departments. Members of the public can ask the commissioners to have an item to be placed on the agenda.

In the past, the public could request placement on the agenda without much resistance.  The difference between public comments and placement on the agenda is that in the public comments section, there is no action or discussion taking place. An agenda item can be discussed whereas public comments are not.  An agenda item allows the BoCC to discuss and take action.

Marchand Timeline During Public Comments:

Diane Marchand, a well-known animal activist made public comments at the April 16 BoCC regular and gave a brief timeline and history for the absence of a full-time veterinarian.  

“Since September, I asked the county why they would take the veterinarian position down from the website with only one applicant stating that if it didn’t work out, they wouldn’t have another applicant.”

“In October, I emailed HR again and was told the interview was being conducted with HR, Rock Meeks, and pre-employment screening was being conducted. I questioned why the animal control manager was not included in the interview and the response was, no specific reason.”

“In November, they were waiting on the applicant to give a start date at the end of December.  Mr. Dean said the applicant would start January 3rd, which never happened.”

“Three months was spent processing one applicant only to find out she could only work three days a week. Another week passed before the job was posted.”

“I asked if a second applicant had applied, and the response was the practice is that HR does not comment during the open application to ensure integrity of the process.”

“I’m not sure if that’s a new law because when I asked about the first applicant that was not a problem. We the citizens, should have the right to transparency. Come to find out from a friend that applicant #2 was one of Doctor Montgomery’s vet students and accepted the Levy County job at Animal Services. That lady pulled out because they told her she was asking too many questions. I’m not sure what happened there, but it would be nice to know what questions were asked and why they would decline the job.”

“March 6 Applicant #3: Public Information Officer Harper advised that one applicant was being evaluated by the board.”

“March 15^: I was advised that the applicant was moving forward. During the process of the third applicant, the posting was removed without a backup, applicant.  When the third applicant did not provide the start date she was not hired.”

“March 25: Marchand requested another update from PIO Harper to which Harper responded that the position would be reposted. Harper said this time it would not be removed until someone was hired. There seems to be a lack of communication among the applicants applying for the job, HR, BoCC and the community.”

Marchand said she sent HR, three vet staffing websites to the county that specializes in fulfilling veterinary positions hoping that those staffing agencies would be helpful to finally fill this long overdue position.

Another issue Marchand has continued to push is the delay and immediate need for an animal control ordinance.

“The ordinances would give the animals better protection and basic care for all animals. Too many animals are suffering during open investigations. The agencies and animal control officers that investigated cruelty would benefit by making their job a little bit easier if Levy had these ordinances in place.” Marchand said.

Marchand said she spoke about these issues in 2016 in BoCC meetings and many animal advocates believe there is no transparency on many issues and the ordinances have been swept under the rug,”

Levy County is a rural horse and farming community that desperately needs dedicated Ag deputies to properly evaluate and provide necessary legal documentation for livestock abuse complaints. Sherriff McCallum has been asked over the years to hire an Ag deputy, but he has refused.  To call a deputy off his regular duties to handle livestock abuse or neglect cases is bad management of limited resources. There are Ag watch signs posted all over Levy County but with no dedicated Ag deputy to properly document and process complaints or attend court proceedings. The prosecution of Ag crimes and abuse is falling through the cracks.

Britton Drew qualified to run for sheriff, on April 23. Perhaps Drew will fill the vacant position of Ag deputy if he wins this election. People have begged for this for years but are ignored!

Do not forget that the three senior BoCC commissioners, John Meeks, Rock Meeks, and Matt Brooks have failed the taxpayers as well with their disregard for animal control ordinances and the running of the animal shelter.  Discussions and an animal control workshop have taken place since 2016 and still nothing is in place.  John Meeks is running for his fourth term in District 1 and Matt Brooks is running for Clerk of Court.  Matt Brooks said he wants to bring leveraged technology to the Clerk’s office, but he has not done much as a two-term commissioner.  If he were sincere in bringing leveraged technology to the Clerk’s office then why can’t we view BoCC live meetings online like the City of Williston or Citrus County?  

John Meeks, who I refer to as “tax and spend John”, has done nothing beneficial for Levy in his three terms. Charlie Kennedy is challenging John Meeks for his District 1 seat and could prevent him from a fourth term. 

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Posted April 29, 2024