Jackson County Commission Regular Session, Storm Sheltering, Citizen Presentation - April 13, 2015

Jackson County Courthouse, South Side (photo by G. Morgan)

AGENDA

See video for storm sheltering presentation & problems.

VIDEO

Removed from the Jackson County Courthouse During a Tornado Warning - Pets Not Allowed - Citizens Not Informed

BeBe

A report on my experience at the Jackson County Court House during the tornado warnings this evening, April 3, 2015, approximately 8:30-9:00PM. There were two radar reported tornadoes during this time frame on or near the Jackson-Madison County Line. My Weather Underground Radar subscription indicated one tornado near the Jackson - Madison County line near Gurley. At that point I left to go to the nearest storm shelter, the Jackson County Court House.

Unfortunately some folks employed by Jackson County do not realize the importance of pets to people in storms. I was removed from the Jackson County Court House this evening during the tornado warnings because I brought my pet with me. Never before had this been a problem with pets in the court house during storms.

Mr. Felix Jackson, EMA Representative stated I must remove my dog, my reply, “I would not leave until the storm was over.” Jackson informed me, “I could stay but the dog had to go because of insurance reasons.” Again he was informed, “I would leave as soon as the storm was over.” (BeBe, my dog, was in a harness and on a leash, very quiet and much behaved.) His reply, "the dog must go but you may stay," My reply, "no, I'm not leaving unless you get the Sheriff’s Department to make me leave," and he did. If I must remove my dog, I would not have been present in the shelter.

Mr. Jackson left for a few minutes and returned with two Sheriff’s Deputies, one Lieutenant and one Sargent. On that note, Mr. Jackson informed me, "the dog must go, but you may stay." Again I stated, "I'll leave as soon as the storm is over," again Jackson stated, "the dog cannot stay." I was not going to put my dog out into the storm, BeBe was given to me by my wife before she passed away. No way was I going to treat my beloved pet in such a fashion

The answer would have been to say this - "Mr. Morgan, dogs are no longer allowed in the Court House, as soon as the storm is over please take your dog out and remember that you may not bring your dog into the court house unless it is a service dog." When I left I informed Mr. Jackson, with the two Sheriff's Deputies present, "you have not heard the end of this." Mr. Jackson replied, "You know where I'm at."

There are no signs posted at any entrance or exit at the Jackson County Court House that pets, during a storm, are not allowed.

I've attended 99% of regular commission meetings where decisions are made by vote, and never has there been any notice or information placed into the public view or discussion during any meeting about no pets in the court house storm shelter. BeBe has been with me on several occasions in the court house to take shelter from inclement weather. Never has there been a problem until this evening, when BeBe and I were put out into the storm.

Update: April 4, 2015 - 4:00PM I have been informed by Face Book message by those present witnessing the incident in the courthouse storm shelter, there was at least one other small dog present and Mr. Jackson went straight for me immediately after my arrival. Within 5 minutes of my arrival Mr. Jackson was asking me to remove my dog. 

Discussing this incident with retired law enforcement, there is a question whether there is a law affecting Jackson County which prohibits pets from public storm shelters in Jackson County. 

Today there is a printer originated notice on the door of the storm shelter entrance that says, "No Pets Allowed." I saw no such notice last night posted on the door to the shelter entrance. When was there a county commission resolution passed stating this policy? After review of video and agendas for the past 3 years I can find no such policy approved by the Jackson County Commission. County Animal Control Ordinance passed by resolution contradicts the actions taken by officials of Jackson County.  

As it turns out, pets in shelters is a national problem, there is an answer, "pet carriers."

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/tornado-shelters-doggy-dilemma-pets-allowed-article-1.1768691

Jackson County Commission - County Park Transition - FEMA Information

 Jackson County Commission approved a motion to develop a transition plan for the County Park management from the County Park Board to a department under the Jackson County Commission. The approved motion stipulated a plan must be developed within 60 days.

The County Commission passed a resolution on April 12, 2010 to abolish the Jackson County Park Board's management of the facility and place the management of the park under the commission by creating a seperate department. All County Park issues reported on this blog: http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Jackson%20County%20Park

There has been no consideration given to excessive costs which will be placed on citizens due to this new park management plan. Ms. Sandra Erickson, Jackson County Administrator stated there was no cost study or analysis performed to determine if this plan would be cost effective.

County Administrator, Ms. Sandra Erickson, revealed there are no draft plans as to organization or draft policies for the new County Park department. Ms. Erickson stated when asked about budgeting and fund site for money received, "we have created an enterprise fund for the park's income." Enterprise Funds are created as a seperate fund area to place money collected for services charged.  Under the new park's department all parks in Jackson County will be supported by the income from the Jackson County Park as no other parks under county control receive money.

The parks in Higdon and PaintRock, including the Jackson County Park, will be under the control of the new parks department. The County Park at Skyline is leased by the Town of Skyline and is managed by the Town of Skyline.

The creation of another bureaucratic departments is not cost effective nor a prudent decision. It is my thoughts the only reason Commissioner Horrace Clemmons went along with this plan is his secretive agenda to create a Walls of Jericho Park. His plans will be spoiled when the commission comes to realize the costs of creating this new bureaucracy will overwhelm the funds generated by the sole income producing source, Jackson County Park.

Life long government employees, secretive agendas, and senseless decision makers do not make for effective government managers. It does make for bureaucratic, wasteful government spenders.

Yesterdays County Commission agenda, click on image for an expanded view. In other business the County Commission approved a new proposal to present to the Legislative Delegation concerning the TVA-in-lieu-of-tax disbursements, the proposal is currently unsigned and unapproved.

FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, representative Mr. A.D. Hill made a presentation to the commission. No commissioner made any inquiry of Mr. Hill. After the commission meeting I interviewed Mr. Hill. He stated there were approximately 1,300 households which have registered in Jackson County to receive emergency fund assistance as a result of tornado disaster damage. Many private organizations and citizens have provided assistance. Mr. Hill commented, "if citizens do not register for disaster assistance they will not receive any benefits from the disaster funds." Online FEMA registration information, phone contacts and other information may be found at http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=54804  Mr. Hill stated an emergency mobile help center should be available in Jackson County by Friday May 13, 2011. The tentative plans are for the mobile center to be present in Pisgah for 3 days, Flat Rock for 3 days and Bridgeport for 3 days.

FEMA Contact information:
•By phone, call 800-621-FEMA(3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. Operators are multilingual. For the speech or hearing impaired, the number is TTY 800-462-7585.
•By computer, go online to  http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ .
•By smartphone or tablet, use  m.fema.gov .