Archive: News

Lansing's Town Board voted 4 to 1 last night to grant next year's dog control contract to Country Acres, a Homer based dog shelter.  In the end it came down to dollars.  "The SPCA has been great," said Deputy Supervisor Connie Wilcox.  "We've stuck with them for years.  Even last year when they doubled their price we said OK.  But when times get tougher we've got to be more fiscally responsible.  I don't think it's fair to raise taxes for everyone in town almost a whole percentage just to stay with the SPCA."

That about summed it up.  While many town board members said they support the SPCA the price difference between the two shelters was too much.  The Tompkins County SPCA offered a $29,790 contract that was similar to a Country Acres bid in that emergency veterinary care would not be included, and the Town would pay for that above and beyond the contract amount on an as-needed basis.  Country Acres bid $18,600.  This year Groton switched to Country Acres.  The Town of Caroline is also considering switching for next year.

"It was obvious to me that the SPCA and Country Acres were both very highly qualified for dog control," says Lansing Supervisor Scott Pinney.  "I think they are both really concerned with humane treatment of animals.  That was very important.  One of the hard decisions is, being in the county we want to support businesses that are actually located in the county.  However, for me there was such a huge difference in price that I felt we were fiscally responsible to go with Country Acres."

About a half dozen residents spoke out to ask the board to choose the SPCA, some saying they would be willing to pay more tax money if they did.  But Councilman Marty Christopher said that a 'silent majority' that did not show up to speak at the meeting had indicated by phone or email that they oppose a tax rise.  All five board members said that they were approached by residents on both sides of the issue.  Christopher noted that it is a one year contract that can be reconsidered next year.

"If it were a $2,000 difference I might not be as concerned," he said.  "Or even maybe four or five.  But it's more than that.  We have to look out for everybody.All of us have thought a lot about it and when the time comes for the vote we have to consider those things."

Councilman Bud Shattuck explained that when residents are shy about speaking in public on an unpopular topic they will call or write a board member but balk at speaking out in a public meeting.  All five board members say they have been contacted by many residents on both sides of the issue.  "I had a tremendous amount of input," Pinney says.  "I had a lot of letters and emails in favor of the SPCA.  I had a lot of phone calls and people stopping me out in public in favor of Country Acres' lower price.  There was a tremendous amount both ways."

One resident who did speak out was Sheila Nedrow.  "The pie is only so big," she said.  "Everybody wants five dollars here, five dollars there.  But we're on a fixed income.  We don't have animals because we can't afford them.  Everything is going up for us.  Gas, food, everything.  If Country Acres can do just as good a job what difference does it make?"

Resident Brenda Robinson spoke about cat services, and expressed concern that Country Acres is not in Tompkins County, and would destroy dogs after ten days.

But Pinney said that the Town is not concerned with cat control because the contract is only for dogs.  He also set the record straight on rumors that dogs would be destroyed.  "In 2007 Country Acres euthanized one dog," he said.  "In 2008 so far they have not euthanized any dogs.  Their policy has been to keep the dogs.  If they're adoptable they keep them for a year."

"It's rarely the animals' fault that what happens to them happens to them," said resident Susan Miller.  Personally I'm happy to pay extra for better care for my animals should something happen to them."

"I've heard three or four people come up here and say how willing they are to pay the excess amount," Christopher said.  "That's all well and good and if any one of them would like to throw in $12,000 I think that would sway us."

Shattuck said that while he is in favor of the Country Acres bid he voted no because he wanted to see the final SPCA contract offer to the county when it is discussed by the Council of Governments next week.  He cited concern that with Groton pulling out of the SPCA contract last year, and Lansing and Caroline considering it this year, that there may not be alternatives if the Town wants to switch away from Country Acres in the future.

But Pinney moved the vote forward.  "I think it's important that we move on and vote tonight based on a couple of things," he said.  "I know Country Acres is looking at other municipalities if the Town of Lansing doesn't move into that slot.  We need to let them know as soon as possible.  Whichever way the Council of Governments goes either the SPCA will continue to do it, or the Pet Playhouse will actually expand so we will always have that second option in the future."

After the vote resident Dave Buck told the board they had made the right decision for the town.  "When each one of you were elected you were charged with fiscal responsibility," he said.  "My family has been here since 1804.  We still have our farm.  But I am looking at what our farm costs now.  We just got our school tax bill and we all know we got an increase in that and our other taxes.  And that's not all.  We've had an increase in fertilizer, diesel fuel, and lately I've taken on the financial responsibility for my mother.  In the last couple of days I learned what the cost of fuel oil is going to be for her house and her supplementary insurance just went up drastically.  These are things we have to consider, too.  Because of the responsibility you have you make hard decisions."

Pinney summed up the issue, "I think both businesses are extremely reputable.  They both truly care about animals.  But the thing that's swaying me is that there is such a huge difference in price.  We've got to be fiscally responsible."

----
v4i36