Whitehall, OH: Whitehall’s dog debate continues in open air

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http://www.snponline.com/articles/2009/08/05/multiple_papers/news/allwhcounc_20090805_0526pm_6.txt

Whitehall’s dog debate continues in open air

* National Night Out brings hundreds of residents to John Bishop Park as opinions keep flying on ‘vicious dogs.’

By KEVIN CORVO
Published: Wednesday, August 5, 2009 5:35 PM EDT

Whitehall City Council members met outdoors this week, but otherwise it was business as usual.

The Tuesday, Aug. 4, council meeting was held outdoors at John Bishop Park in conjunction with National Night Out. The fifth annual event featured food and live music and allowed residents to meet local leaders and safety officers.

During the council meeting, members passed a pair of resolutions establishing and funding the new position of animal control officer in the city.

Unlike the previous incarnation of the position, vacant for the past three years, the new animal control officer will report to the service director rather than the safety director and also will work as a code enforcement officer.

The new employee will respond to animal complaints as necessary. Proponents have said the new employee further will enhance the city’s existing ordinance that regulates the harboring of vicious dogs in the city.

The measure passed 6-0. Councilwoman Jackie Thompson, a critic of the proposal, was absent. There was no discussion prior to the vote.

Thompson’s absence did not go unnoticed by other council members, nor did her tardy arrival. Council President Brent Howard observed from the dais that Thompson had arrived and taken a seat in the audience shortly before the meeting adjourned.

After the meeting, Howard said it was “insulting” to council members and the electorate that she skipped the meeting, and especially so because she arrived late and sat in the audience.

Thompson publicly stated two weeks ago she did not plan to attend the meeting after one resident said at a previous meeting he was bringing his three American Staffordshire terriers to National Night Out.

Howard said he understood the need for council members to be absent, but questioned Thompson’s motive to sit out the meeting.

“I wouldn’t treat the citizens that way. (An elected council member) has a commitment to honor,” Howard said.

Thompson said she wanted to attend the meeting with a friend, but could not make the earlier start time set for National Night Out. She said she considered it a “compromise” to attend the community portion of National Night Out.

She added that she would not have attended the meeting at all if her neighbors had not attended with her. Thompson said she had to wait until her friend was home from work because she did not feel safe attending alone.

“That these people bring their pit bulls to the park when they know many people are afraid shows their nature,” Thompson said.

During the meeting, several residents continued to weigh in about the divisive issue of possibly banning vicious dogs in the city.

Teri Ranke, who chastised Thompson at the July 21 meeting, aimed at Councilwoman Leslie LaCorte this week.

Ranke, who lives on Norton Lane, said she was “appalled” at LaCorte’s previous comments about terming ballot language in a proposed advisory election to obtain the desired result.

Ranke said LaCorte and her “cohort,” referring to the then-absent Thompson, continue to damage the image of the city.

Janiece Miller, of Erickson Avenue, told LaCorte breed-specific legislation “doesn’t work.”

Denise Roberge, of Cumberland Drive, attended National Night Out with her 5-year-old American pit bull terrier, Breezy, whom she introduced to council members.

LaCorte’s proposal received support from Karen Conison, a Ward 1 council candidate, who said the issue should be placed on the ballot.

Conison, wearing an arm bandage from a dog bite she called “her fault,” said placing the issue on the ballot was “a great idea” that would put and end to the debate.

Resident Deborah Williams said she appreciated the efforts of Thompson and LaCorte for “stirring things up” as a mixture on council is a good thing.

The ordinance LaCorte is sponsoring — to place a nonbinding, advisory issue on the Nov. 3 ballot asking voters whether the city should ban four specific breeds of dog — received a first reading at the Aug. 4 meeting.

A second reading and public hearing is scheduled at the Aug. 18 meeting.

In order for the issue to appear on the ballot, a petition must be filed by Aug. 20 at the Franklin County Board of Elections.

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Another article on same issue can be found here: http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2009/08/05/story_pitbull.html?sid=102