Dozens were on hand at Tuesday morning's county commissioners meeting to talk about animal control officer Jerry Clase.
Before taking public comment, County Commissioner Ron Truex advised those speaking that the commissioners wouldn't discuss personnel issues in a public forum.
Personnel issues, litigation and purchase of real property are topics that can be discussed privately in executive sessions.
Attorney Mike Miner then made a statement advising those who spoke that they were welcome to give any factual information they had but anything else may open them up to litigation.
Kim Evans was the first to speak.
Evans stated she was giving the commissioners a packet with 16 signed eyewitness testimonies about Clase's conduct.
"These violations are clear violations of Indiana's animal cruelty code," said Evans
"We will make the phone calls," said Truex. "If they were reported I'm sure there was an action that was taken."
Cheryl Biltz, a former employee at the Animal Welfare League, asked if there would be justice for animals.
"For those who can't speak for themselves," said Biltz.
Biltz stated she witnessed two separate occasions of abuse by Clase while she was at the AWL.
Truex said they work with Darla McCammon, the director of the AWL, and AWL board president Carol Haldewang.
"The fact is we have to work with what we have. If we have director complaints. If we had the president of the AWL complaining, we'd take action," said Truex.
Commissioner Brad Jackson said that just by the recent coverage of events that those in attendance could expect to see some changes.
Danny Hall addressed the commissioners to give his support for Clase.
Then Launda Ewell from Seven's Heaven Wildlife Rehabilitation addressed the commissioners.
She took issue with Truex and Miner's advisements.
"What I've seen today is why people are afraid to come forward," said Ewell. "I don't want to live in this county if I can't speak out."
In the packet presented to the commissioners, it included testimony from two former Animal Welfare League directors as well as comments from animal shelters in surrounding counties.
Later in the county commissioners meeting, a procedural change that affects the animal control officer was brought up.
A letter addressed to the commissioners by private businesses asked why the county was in charge of removing animals from residences.
Now dispatch will refer those calling about animals on their property to private businesses that deal with infestation.
County Assessor Laurie Reiner asked the commissioners to approve two seperate contracts to help the the reassessment which starts July 1.
One contract was for aerial photography while the other one was for street views to be taken of properties that would be uploaded to the county's Beacon site.
Reiner said she was embarassed at what the county currently had on the site.
The site allows searches of property to be done with information of the property and pictures.
Reiner said that both contracts had been budgeted.
The cost for both projects would be around $218,000.
When asked which project she'd want more she said they were both pieces of a puzzle to help with assessment.
Reiner also noted that the street views were helpful to 911 dispatch as well as county police agencies.
"The money is clearly budgeted," said Reiner.
Commissioner Brad Jackson said that just because the money was there they didn't necessarily need to spend it.
The commissioners voted to approve the aerial photogrpahy and would review the street views at their next meeting July 6.
A four-way stop at CRs 400N and 700E and B48 Lane and CR 700E was approved.
County highway department superintendent Dennis Pletcher said that he and his crews have been chip sealing since June 1 but only got about three miles done thus far due to rain.
The commissioners approved to vacate a right-of-way on Dewart Lake that was previously brought up to the Area Plan Commission. The APC didn't have enough votes to have a reccomendation but did pass along its 4-3-1 vote.
Truex said he made a presentation to the Lakeland Regional Sewer District recently about moving to a countywide sewer district.
Truex said in his haste the application wasn't signed by the commissioners.
Truex also said that a US Department of Agriculture loan the LRSD currently receives is contingent on them keeping the same name.
The commissioners also heard a sales presentation from Todd Rutledge of Construction Point. The company is putting in a bid to do work on Old 30.
The commissioners approved the use of the courthouse lawn for First Friday events July 2 and Aug. 6.
Sherry Shaffer was appointed to the Warsaw Library board and Ron Yeiter was reappointed to the redevelopment commission until Jan 1.
