Citizens, taxpayers, and volunteers at the Animal Center of Moore County hereby petition the Moore County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to INVESTIGATE the unauthorized euthanasia of a cat and to immediately APPOINT under its sole authority an onsite Animal Advocacy Manager at the Animal Center of Moore County. The cat, Harlequin, was to be held for a possible foster home. She was euthanized July 2, 2014 by staff in direct defiance of orders from Animal Operations Interim Director Tami Golden. Ms. Golden, an Animal Center volunteer, and the shelter’s Volunteer Coordinator Betsy Ficarro promptly were made aware of the incident. All three expressed shock and disbelief and the incident was reported to others outside of ACMC. The news and outrage quickly enveloped the community. Ms. Ficarro had no direct involvement with the euthanasia. Coincidentally, she was relieved of her duties effective immediately July 9, 2014 without warning, and told her position had been eliminated; despite significant measurable accomplishments during her brief tenure. Other reasons for her termination subsequently offered by county management have been contradictory and unsubstantiated. This event and ensuing public comment have been reported (see: The Pilot links below) and was brought before the County Commissioners at its meeting July 15, 2014. The shelter manager and other staff currently remain in their positions and disciplinary action, if any, has not been made public. With respect to personnel laws, we feel that residents and volunteers deserve an investigation and explanation from our elected officials and county management team in response to this abhorrent act of defiance. To ensure that the Animal Center and its animals are fairly represented and to provide reasonable checks and balances, we petition the BOCC to appoint an independent Animal Advocacy Manager who will serve under its direct authority. This person would report directly to the BOCC, have unrestricted access to all areas of the Animal Center with the right to visit anytime, unannounced and to stay without limitations. Responsibilities of this position may include, but not be limited to, ensuring clean conditions at the shelter, handling all complaints from the public, and creating and maintaining an effective working relationship with animal rescue organizations, animal welfare groups and humane societies. Macomb County, MI, has instituted such a position to serve as a model. We also feel that Betsy Ficarro should be given fair and due consideration for the position as her experience, accomplishments and ongoing commitment to animal welfare have remained beyond reproach. Please sign our petition if you support this call for transparency and accountability by the Board of County Commissioners to investigate, report and act on these issues involving the Animal Center of Moore County. Thank you. BACKGROUND: MOST RECENT STORY http://www.thepilot.com/news/county-to-meet-with-animal-advocates-over-shelter-changes/article_dc7ade8a-0e87-11e4-ab1d-001a4bcf6878.html COUNTY COMMISSION FOLLOWUP STORY http://www.thepilot.com/news/animal-advocates-address-county/article_dbba6030-0ca0-11e4-98b8-001a4bcf6878.html ORIGINAL POST http://www.thepilot.com/news/more-personnel-changes-at-animal-center-angers-advocates/article_0b0a13ea-0926-11e4-ab80-001a4bcf6878.html

In view of the recent review of the NCA affiliate program, the Association for Psychoanalysis in Communication (APC) has decided to apply for division status. An overwhelming majority of APC membership are communication scholars who regularly present at the National Communication Association. By signing this petition, they voice their support for the APC's application for division status and express the continued need for a dedicated forum to discuss the relevance of psychoanalytic thought to the field of Communication Studies.

"Being hung, drawn, and quartered" is probably "too good" for President Obama -- that's what Stephen Steinlight, the Senior Policy Analyst for the Center for Immigration Studies, recently said. In discussing Speaker Boehner’s plans to sue the President, Steinlight said that “there’s no court that’s going to stop Obama from doing anything,” adding: "We all know, if there ever was a president that deserved to be impeached, it’s this guy. Alright? And I wouldn’t stop. I would think being hung, drawn, and quartered is probably too good for him." Mr. Steinlight's comments are outrageous and what's even more outrageous is that Steinlight’s group is popular with House Republicans, especially the current and former chairs of the House Judiciary Committee Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Lamar Smith (R-TX), who regularly invite CIS to testify at immigration hearings. CIS staffers have even been known to work hand in glove with Republican members of Congress. And it's not just these comments that are problematic. CIS has strong ties to a shady group called "FAIR" which is recognized as a Hate Group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Organizations with strong ties to hate groups should never be called to testify as expert witnesses at Congressional hearings. Somethings should just go unsaid -- and this is one of them! Yet, Republicans do it all of the time. Please join me in demanding that Republican leaders put an end to "experts" with strong ties to hate groups testifying in Congressional hearings.

The DCCC is always asking for donations but won't even finance candidates in areas from which they've received contributions. We need a 435 District effort to return control of the House to the Democrats!

Every artist deserves a fair chance

In 2008 for weeks preceding the election and on election day, Holy Name of Jesus displayed explicitly political anti-gay messages on their huge marquee as voters entered the compound to vote on Constitutional Amendment 2 banning same-sex marriage. In 2012 for weeks preceding the election and on election day, Holy Name of Jesus displayed explicitly political anti-choice messages on their huge marquee as voters entered the compound to vote on Constitutional Amendment 6, also known as the Florida Abortion Amendment. The Holy Name of Jesus "All life is Sacred, Born and Unborn" fetus monument qualifies as political speech, is within the 100 ft. campaign free zone, and therefore does not meet with standards written in law. Holy Name of Jesus while voluntarily offering their private property to be utilized as a polling place selectively restricts private individuals, candidates and organizations they don't agree with from setting up tables and signs on church property. In exercising our fundamental right to vote, we deserve the chance to vote in a neutral setting that is welcoming to the entire community, NOT just those supported by one particular religious sect.

MUST Email the mayor today as they want to tear it down this week!!!! This has brought many hours of Fun to the neighborhood kids as well as first experience of swimming and therapeutic to some children. To take this away is tearing Longbrook apart piece by piece..last time the fireplace and now this. PLEASE SAVE THE POOL and maybe add a A splash pad for the older kids. It is the only place younger children can go to have a place of their own to swim and play. It is a part of Stratford history in and of a Longbrook Park... Keep a place for little kids and add a place for older kids...Please Call the mayor office and tell him why it should stay or email him~Mayor John A. Harkins As well as our representative and governor. Phone: (203) 385 - 4001 Email: [email protected]

City Manager Kevin Orr’s strategy of turning off life saving water supplies will affect over 120,000 water customers over a three month period which began in June and is to be completed by September 2014. Orr was appointed by Gov. Snyder, in-spite of voter objection. 
Michigan unemployment rate is one of the highest in the country. Gov. Snyder increased the cost of water by over 8% making it 20 times higher than other states during the shut offs, adding insult to injury for those trying to find the funds to catch up on past due bill. Ironically businesses in the Detroit area who are thousands of dollars past due have not had their water services disconnected. Detroit and Gov. Snyder have drawn international and nationwide criticism and concerns as to the questionable investments Snyder made with state funds on Wall Street that perpetuated the financial crisis in Detroit. Residents are demanding restitution and deserve it. Several organizations joined the protest in Detroit on July 18th demanding accountability and relief. Over two thousand protestors were joined by Senator Elizabeth Warren and the “Hulk”! Now it’s your turn, please sign this petition and pass it on, we need to stand up for these people for no one else will. For further information and a list of supporters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylPh40a_jzg&feature=autoshare http://www.robinhoodtax.org/news/blog/historic-rally-detroit-3000-led-nurses-and-community-leaders-demand-turn-on-the-water

Bored. Na JK XD Will share projects and sell complete kits for newbies.

For several reasons this law is a net loss for the state: Innocent bystanders getting hurt, some of whom don't have health insurance, which results in higher premiums for everybody; the unfunded mandate to our local jurisdictions from: increased police/fire/ems calls; administration of licenses, inspection and enforcement of regulations for fireworks businesses; this law cannot be enforced because of budget cuts to police departments across the state. This allows fireworks to be used for weeks around the holiday instead of days resulting in serious degradation of our quality of life, THIS LAW SHOULD BE REPEALED.

In the past week, thousands of people have seen their income come to a complete halt or be significantly reduced by this change, a change forced on the workers without their input. The ability of workers to choose what jobs they accept and where and when they work embodied the brilliance and appeal of this employment platform, and that is all gone due to these changes.

The Koch Brothers have put their fingers and $$$ into almost every aspect of our country. If you accept their contributions, you are no longer representing us, the people. Government run by corporations is not democracy, it's Fascism.