From David Fang, Past President, The Humane Society of Harford County:
For almost 6 years, The Humane Society of Harford County made promises, representations and commitments to former County Executive David Craig, current and all former County Council members including County Council President Billy Boniface, the taxpayers of Harford County and donors to both the new HSHC shelter building and the Rebel’s Dog Park (“RDP”) committee that a new and improved Rebel’s Dog Park will be built as part of the re-development at 2208 Connolly Road in Fallston.
That was up until three weeks ago, when supporters received a letter from HSHC Executive Director Jen Swanson. The highlight? “…due to unforeseen circumstances, we are writing to let you know that a public dog park on shelter grounds is not feasible at this time.” This is bad enough, but to add to this duplicity, unless things change in a hurry County Executive Barry Glassman is allowing HSHC to take $6 million of County taxpayer money and not deliver on their promise.
I was the president of HSHC from 2009 through February 2015. The inclusion of Rebel’s Dog Park was never a “maybe.” It was part of a well-thought out plan to
1- give back to the community for its confidence in our turnaround;
2 – bring more people to the shelter, as it is a well established principle that more animals will get adopted when there is more foot traffic at the shelter facility;
3 – be able to solicit donations from park attendees; and,
4 – bottom line, the people and the dogs who patronized Rebel’s loved it.
So naturally one wonders “what are the “unforeseen circumstances?” I have asked Executive Director Jen Swanson through their Facebook announcement and have been met with deafening silence. It appears that the current Board seems to believe that you can represent to the taxpayers, politicians and donors consistently over a period of 6 years that you are going to re-develop the site and include a dog park, file a site plan with Harford County that shows the new dog park, take $6 million of taxpayer money to build a new shelter and then punt on the balance of what was promised because, well, because the Board of Directors has determined that there are “unforeseen” and as of now undisclosed circumstances.
I meet with County Administrator and former County Council President Billy Boniface on Wednesday, September 27th to bring this matter to his attention. On 10/4 I received a call from Boniface with an astonishing bottom line – County Executive Barry Glassman does not want to pick a fight with HSHC. He would much rather let them get away with breaking promises, taking money under false pretenses, and not answering the simple question of what defines “unforeseen circumstances.” This is appeasement and political cowardice, not leadership. I explained the following points to Mr. Boniface:
While it is true that no County funds were spent on interior improvements for Rebel’s, part of the County’s $6 million was spent SPECIFICALLY in anticipation of construction of Rebel’s, namely a water pipe was installed from the new shelter building under the frost line and brought to the fence line for Rebel’s, and similarly a conduit and pull line was installed to bring electric to Rebel’s. These were taxpayer dollars spent two and three years ago in anticipation of a dog park on Humane Society grounds. What this Board is doing is just plain wrong. And as far as what this County Executive is doing? If he doesn’t step up and do the right thing it will be one more thing for voters to gripe about.
For some people, it is very possible that financial decisions were made to donate to HSHC based upon the full package- new building, a surgical suite to perform spay and neuter surgeries in-house, beautiful community feature in a wonderful dog park. Right now the Board of Directors and the Executive Director at HSHC are batting 1 for 3, which may be enough to get them to Cooperstown, but in my book is a dismal failure when entrusted with a $6 million taxpayer funded facility and $800,000 in operating funds for County FY18.
The County Executive has enough problems of his own making heading into his re-election campaign. Making HSHC do what they promised comes from strength. Glassman’s “hands off” approach is only going to create additional diversions he doesn’t need.
Bottom line is that County Executive is blaming the prior administration for “not getting it in writing.” That is what makes Barry Glassman a politician. A politician will blame his or her predecessors. A leader fixes problems. The abandonment by the HSHC Board of a 6 year promise is a problem. Barry Glassman can either be a leader and deal with it, or he can be a politician, stick his head in the sand and hope it goes away.
This can be fixed. But the County Executive needs to lead and the HSHC board needs to do the right thing. I am not optimistic about either thing happening.
David Fang
Past President, The Humane Society of Harford County January 2009 – January 2015
Board of Directors, The Humane Society of Harford County March 2006 – December 2008
Fang just has a vendetta against the Humane Society because he was kicked off the Board the other members.
Your input here is of no value.
Pretty sure that’s not true.
James, not Lisa K
He resigned from board
As did four other members who had a combined total of over 25 years of service
Get facts please
That because of a board members breach of confidence and others matters not made public
Vendetta ? Ass
He worked as Board president for over four years like it was his career. He left the board. Never kicked off
People such as Chuck the ferret and a few other board people should leave the board since they are incapable of making any quality decisions. Fund raising is down. Goals not met. That all started with Pete Hicks a well leave it at that
Mr. Fang’s article is well written, provides important data, and discloses political hanky panky between our local elected employees and the HSHC. I find the ihformation provided quite troubling. Kudos to Mr. Fang, and every other person who has the guts to step forward, gather and desseminate relevant facts, plus not be afraid to be the town crier. Thank you, for providing another story of the tax payer getting ripped off.
Barry Glassman is a weasel…always has been, always will be. Why should anybody be surprised that he reneged on this deal?
To be clear, it is The Humane Society of Harford County that is reneging on its promise to the citizens and dogs of Harford County, NOT the County Executive.
So far the County Executive is simply choosing to look the other way and allow HSHC to promise the community a new dog park for 5 years, take $6 million of taxpayer money in the process, and then simply not follow through on their obligations – and whether those obligations were in the form of a written contract or five years of oral promises should be immaterial. There are measures the County can take to get HSHC to the table. The County Executive may still. Let him know that he should.
Is the lack of the Humane Society’s ability to deliver on their promises a result of poor oversight by the previous board leadership?
There are two HARFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT LIAISONS, Deborah Barranco Coomes, M.D.
Maryland Vaccination Services and Michael Mason, Chief of Citizens Affairs, Harford County Government. I don’t believe they had no idea this was in the works to renege on the dog park. Trust me, when this decision was made, every member of the board was immediately notified via email. As for Glassman, if he actually grew a set the taxpayers of Harford County would be in a better position to have that money returned by HSHC.
“due to unforeseen circumstances, we are writing to let you know that a public dog park on shelter grounds is not feasible at this time.”
Why has no one touched on what is actually being said here?
Dr. comes is also a weasel her bigotry and flip flop of dealings is terrible. Controlling demeanor unethical technique is a contributing factor to the disorganized situation by the current board. If she treat animals like people we got issues more than the dog park debacle
You obviously do not know Debbie (Dr. Coomes). You’d be hard pressed to find someone who cares more about animals, and even more about people. I’ve known her since she was a young girl (and my dog sitter).
If Debbie is involved, you can guarantee she’s holding herself and everyone around her up to a very high standard. Why are strong, determined women called “controlling”? If my dog wound up at the humane society, I’d be relieved to know she is there.
People change
What is perceived as caring is sometimes the opposite. It’s not about a woman or a man so don’t go gender nuts here. She is a dogmatic controlling witch. Ask her X
HA! Good use of that brand new surgical suite! They can’t keep a vet on staff because Jen over steps her boundaries and apparently knows more about animal medicine then the Veterinary Director! They are not currently providing exams on all animals, the have had a failing systems of HACCP certificates which allows intact animals to be adopted out and no repercussions if the animals are not fixed (I guess that’s job security). That place is a joke! It certainly does not surprise me that Jen isn’t following thru on yet another promise that was made. The best thing Harford County can do is get rid of her! By the time the board wises up and makes moves… It is going to be too late. The animals are the ones who suffer.
How about the $6 million be transferred to HCPS or Emergency Services instead of going to frigging animals. What a waste.
Citizen
Butt out we got it
Leave all the animals run the streets shoot them whatever. Crawl back under your rock
People, this not an editorial, investigative report, or news article. It is an opinion piece…note the contributer credentials specify “by a Dagger Reader”. Big difference from being written by a credible reporter.