Everything you always wanted to know about New York City's controversial animal shelter system.
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Bulletin Board
Shelter Reform has new leadership Jennifer Panton chairs Shelter Reform Action Committee. Contact her at nycjmp@yahoo.com *** New Exec Director finally named after 9 month executive search. The official ACC statement: The Board of Directors of Animal Care & Control of New York City, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Executive Director, Ms. Charlene Pedrolie. Ms. Pedrolie, a nationally-recognized business consultant, has extensive leadership experience in multiple industries and has been credited with turning around companies with revenues exceeding several hundred million dollars through her strong fiscal management skills. Ms. Pedrolie is deeply dedicated to animal welfare and has worked with animal control organizations in several jurisdictions in order to educate residents about proper animal care, improve conditions for animals and advocate for local ordinances to improve animal welfare. Ms. Pedrolie begins her duties on October 15, 2007. See articled about Charlene prior to her arrival in NYC: Animal Guardian *** NYC is flush (tune of $4 Billion) but none of the budget surplus will go to NYCACC April 26, 2007 Edition > Section: New York NYC Surplus Grows BY SARA KUGLER - Associated Press URL: http://www.nysun.com/article/53290 NEW YORK (AP) - The city's finances are flush with revenues higher than expected, boosting the budget surplus beyond $4 billion, Mayor Bloomberg was expected to announce Thursday. Mr. Bloomberg's revised budget plan for next fiscal year, which begins July 1, would show another $1.3 billion more in revenues for this year than had been predicted in January, officials said. The $57 billion plan for fiscal 2008, which was described in January, already included what the administration said was a surprise windfall from real estate taxes on an extraordinary number of large building sales. Those include two recent record-setting purchases: a reported $1.8 billion for a Fifth Avenue skyscraper and $5.4 billion for a massive Manhattan apartment complex, which was the biggest real-estate deal of any kind in the country. But revenues have surged even higher, creating a surplus of more than $4 billion for this fiscal year, officials said. But budget gaps loom in future years: $1.6 billion in 2009, $3.3 billion in 2010 and $4.3 billion in 2011. For that reason, the mayor is not looking at the $4 billion as a surplus, but will use it to roll over and help fill some of those gaps. "By taking action now, we can begin to reduce these deficits as opposed to jeopardizing our future with politically popular giveaways," Deputy Mayor Ed Skyler said in a statement. The mayor does believe there is enough to give some breaks to taxpayers - the $1.2 billion package announced in January includes cutting property taxes and eliminating the city's portion of sales tax on clothing and shoes. Mr. Bloomberg was to present the details later Thursday. Officials said the revised plan would include $199 million for the various environmental initiatives announced on Sunday. There will also be $4.5 million more this fiscal year and $28 million in 2008 for health programs that help sick ground zero workers. *** Response to our letter regarding the surplus budget: Dr. Frieden response 6-20-07 *** The Board of Directors at AC&C: The "ex-officio" board members from the City are: THOMAS FRIEDEN, MD Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene, and perennial chairman of the board who refuses to relinquish the chairmanship despite his lack of interest or prior experience in animal shelter management. Allowed DOH inspectors to falsify reports giving clean bill of health to unsanitary and dangerous animal shelter conditions (sound familiar, KFC/Taco Bell customers?) Allows his department to underfund AC&C's contract by 50%. Control freak with inflated ego. ADRIAN BENEPE Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation. (Thanks to SRAC lobbying, finally replaced Sanitation Commissioner on AC&C board.) Occasionally attends board meetings. Plus - helps facilitate access to parks for adoption events. Minus - affable personality but demonstrates little or no interest in improving the plight of shelter animals. STEVEN BONANO NYPD Deputy Chief for Community Affairs. Recently joined the board after a year and a half of no real NYPD representation on AC&C's board, following embarassing scandal of previous police official, Fred Patrick, jailed for corrruption. Seems friendly but an unknown entity. Has yet to speak up at a board meeting on any issue at hand. The so-called "independent" board members: JAY KUHLMAN, DVM Owner, Gramercy Animal Hospital in Manhattan. A veterinarian. Genuinely cares about the plight of shelter animals. JOHN M.B. O'CONNOR A former partner at JP Morgan Partners and now with John Wiley & Co. Has closely alied himself with the Health Commissioner. Was AC&C's treasurer for four years. A blood sport hunter and AC&C's most hostile board member to animal welfare issues. BRUCE DONIGER Appointed in Oct 2004. President and CEO of The J.E. & Z.B Butler Foundation, a nonprofit that benefits at-risk youth and individuals with special needs. AC&C's Treasurer. Genuinely cares about the plight of shelter animals. PATRICK NOLAN Appointed in March 2007 to fill a nine-month vacancy. A VP of marketing at Penguin Group publishing in Manhattan. An unknown entity at this time. SRAC has request for info from him pending. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AC&C NEEDS VOLUNTEERS If you can give time to walk dogs at any of these AC&C facilities, AC&C Manhattan, 326 East 110th Street AC&C Brooklyn, 2336 Linden Boulevard AC&C Staten Island, 3139 Veterans Road West AC&C Bronx, 464 East Fordham Road AC&C Queens, 92-29 Queens Blvd., Rego Park please contact AC&C by dialing 3-1-1, or email: Matt Wildman - mwildman@nycacc.org |
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