HomeMy WebLinkAbout082823 Animal Shelter TorresDear Board of Commissioners,
I attended this morning's meeting with the Board of Commissioners. I can't tell you how shocked I was to learn that neither the City nor County funds our animal shelter. I moved here
from Seattle a few years ago, where our shelter is funded by the City, and I assumed all animal shelters were funded by local government.
To learn that the shelter actually pays rent for that dilapidated facility AND is required to pay for all repairs (and only allowed to use expensive county employees for said repairs)
was beyond my comprehension. Once again, I assumed that under the law, landlords are required to make repairs on their leased property. I am sure they could find volunteers to do
so much of this kind of work.
I do know for a fact that there are very wealthy people moving into Jefferson County from other areas and I know our property taxes here are nearly as high as what I was paying in Seattle.
I cannot fathom why our crucially needed animal shelter is not fully funded by the county and/or city. Of course I also support our tax dollars going to OlyCap and other agencies
helping the homeless. These issues are tied together though and both are of utmost importance. This is crucial infrastructure and must be funded. Clearly a new or greatly rehabilitated
structure is needed urgently.
You all seem to be animal lovers and I'm sure you feel the same way. I consulted with a friend of mine who has worked in the Seattle political arena for decades. She suggested a ballot
measure? Jefferson County is full of animal lovers who would back funding for this much needed facility.
Please, lobby for immediate funding for the animal shelter to whomever is in charge of disbursing our tax dollars. I would appreciate your letting me know of any other county and/or
city officials I can contact about this as well.
In the meantime, I'm mailing off a check to them today and I'm making sure to educate everyone I encounter as to this unbelievable situation happening here.
Molly Torres
10 Rhododendron St
Port Townsend, WA 98368