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| What they said … | Nearly 175 people attended the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday with many on both sides of the R&R Research issue:
R&R Research supporters
"If you as the commission have researched this and seen what is out there, you will see that what is out there isn't what is portrayed in the press." - Craig Brockett, a friend of R&R Research owner Jim Woudenberg, encouraging commissioners to visit the Howard City business.
"It would be a mistake to put him and his staff on the jobless lines for no rational or economic reason." - Jim Ward of Howard City.
"Everyone has their opinion but I don't think that's the choice we're talking about. What's worth more, a human life or an animal that's been put to sleep? In my opinion, a human life is worth more than an animal that has been put to sleep." - Leroy Bills of Howard City, who said his father, neighbor and friend benefited from medical procedures developed from animal research.
"He is alive today as a direct result of animal research. I see no reason at all to discontinue what is going on." - Tim Poulsen of Lakeview, whose son has had two kidney transplants.
"The research benefits both humans and animals. Many dogs have cancers just like humans. Not only are we benefiting humans but we are benefiting animals lovers. I don't feel the scientists are cruel to animals. I've observed that. They are careful not to stress the animals as that would affect their research." - Fran Arbogast Carlson of Howard City.
R&R Research opponents
"We've been fighting this battle for a year and half. We have never said we are against research. There is a place for it. We are against taking someone's former pets and using them for research. Do any of you have proof that any cat or any dog that has come out of the Montcalm County animal shelter has gone to any lifesaving medical research? He (Woudenberg) stands up here and claims life-saving research but he cannot prove it." - Mike Urbanski of Coral.
"We've been hearing a lot on this issue over the past few months on humanity. A lot of people are making decisions are self-centered - human centric. We're talking about objects. That's what the opposite side wants you to believe - they're just objects. It's like disposing of an old rusty Ford. Can we at least agree that an animal life is worth more than an old rusty Ford? It's not just disposing of it and using it for spare parts." - Ryan Hipp of Grand Rapids.
"We are part of the animal species. We have to speak up for them because they cannot speak for themselves." - Henry Sanchez of Saranac.
"Why is it the nonresidents' business what happens in Montcalm County? What Montcalm County commissioners decide have an impact on the counties surrounding you. I hope you listen to our voice." - Vicki Cabot of Grand Rapids.
"The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) applauds Montcalm County for moving away from the outmoded practice of providing companion animals to ultimately be used for research. This will help restore the community's trust in the Montcalm County Animal Shelter and protect animals from potentially inhumane conditions." - Jill Fritz, HSUS Michigan state director in a statement.
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4/28/2009 12:19:00 PM
Animal shelter volunteers are primed to get busy
Ryan Jeltema
News Editor
STANTON - Opponents of R&R Research aren't claiming total victory yet.
Sandra Carlton of Greenville, a member of Montcalm County Citizens for Animal Welfare, plans to remain active while the Board of Commissioners' Law Enforcement and Courts Committee debates a slate of recommendations from the Animal Shelter Ad Hoc Committee.
"It's not over yet," Carlton said. "We have a lot of work to do."
She hopes commissioners adopt recommendations to create a Citizens Advisory Board and Veterinary Advisory Board with representation from her group and Concerned Citizens Coalition of Montcalm.
Carlton said her group's efforts now will shift to encouraging legislators to pass State House Bill 4663, which would ban dealers statewide from taking pets from public animal shelters and selling them to research.
Fran Schuleit of Greenville, a member of the Ad Hoc Committee, said dozens of people who criticized the county's contract with R&R Research in Howard City now are willing to volunteer at the shelter. She hopes commissioners seize the positive momentum from Monday's vote to bring swift changes to the facility's operations.
"We're throwing our hats in the ring as long as it takes to help out," Schuleit said. "There are a number of people in the audience today with their (volunteer) application filled out ready to turn them in."
Greenville veterinarian Dr. Randy Carpenter, a member of the Animal Shelter Ad Hoc Committee, said residents and animal groups across West Michigan are prepared to contribute $20,000 in donated goods and services immediately for the shelter.
The most significant donation is a $10,000 brick-lined crematory for animal carcasses at the shelter and pledges to pay for operating and maintaining the crematory for a few years. Sleepy Hollow Pet Cemetery in Byron Center also has offered accept carcasses from the shelter at no cost thanks to two women pledging to pay the $300 per month fee for a year each.
Several people offered to pay $300 for water bowls for each kennel to get rid of the current spigot system that can be difficult for animals to use.
"The taxpayers of Montcalm County will not be asked for fund any of the changes at the animal shelter," Carpenter said. "If it cannot be accomplished with private funds it will not be completed."
Rhonda Waldorf of Sheridan, a member of the Animal Shelter Ad Hoc Committee, said rescue groups also are ready to step up their efforts helping at the shelter to help ensure more adoptions.
"Our purpose is not to take over the shelter but to become an asset helping out with shelter operations under the director's authority," Waldorf said. "The ultimate goal is for people to come into our community and our shelter hoping to find their next family friend."
District 4 Commissioner John Johansen appreciated the pledges to support the shelter in place of the R&R Research contract but warned critics to follow through or the county may sign a new contract with the business.
"If in six to nine months we do not see the support that has been set forth take place, and I think that is an sufficient amount of time, I will be the first commissioner to make the motion to reinstate the process we are operating under," he said. "These promises are made in all good intentions but they tend to fade away as time passes. We cannot afford for that to happen."
Chairman and District 7 Commissioner Patrick Q. Carr has faith the volunteers will show up.
"They're a motivated group," he said. "They've been here for a long time."
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Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Article comment by:
Sue Maguire
JustMeSue and anyone else wanting to volunteer, please email CCC Montcalm at postmaster@cccmontcalm with your name, phone number and what you are willing to do. We need to prove to the commissioners that we're putting our money and time where our mouth is. Also, check out our website on a regular basis. Lots of information! www.cccmontcalm.org
Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Article comment by:
Nancy
Okay why, the answers to all of your questions were answered many times on comment pages for wzzm,wood and this newspaper. I'm sure you can go back and read them. Believe me, the reasons for stopping the pound seizure were excellent reasons - they had to be or certain commissioners would have fought it to the death.
Posted: Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Article comment by:
terry scharaswak
why should these poor animals be hurt and tortured, they did not ask to be brought into this world,i think when you get a pet you have a life long commitment to them. they have feelings just like we do,pets are a family member also, not just a possesion to do what ever with them, thanks
Posted: Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Article comment by:
Beth Kieffer
Congratulations Montcalm County! I am so proud!! Now let's make sure we back up the words with actions - volunteer, adopt, spay and neuter so more don't end up in the shelter. Way to go!!!!
Posted: Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Article comment by:
Andy
Just finished uploading pictures of the Rally, Meeting and Victory party.
http://tinyurl.com/montcalm
Posted: Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Article comment by:
JustMeSue
How do we sign up to volunteer?
Posted: Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Article comment by:
Okay Why
Okay let me get this straight. The people of Montcalm would rather put the animals to sleep and then use an incinerator to dispose of them. If the animals are going to be killed anyway..why not have them go to a research facility that can actually use the animal for something good??? Makes no sense to just euthanise the animals and not use them for some sort of research purpose. Also this whole animal control thing has been blown so far out of proportions its ridiculous. Thanks and have a great day.
Posted: Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Article comment by:
Gary R. King
I have gotten Osceola County to change--am working on Montcalm, Mecosta, and Gratiot. Will forward info and data--supply an address.
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