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Embattled director stepping down [The Brunswick News, Ga. :: ](Brunswick News (GA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) July 26--The director of the embattled Glynn County Animal Services is stepping down and taking another position at the U.S. 17 center. Beverly Morris will step down following an extended internal investigation of the operations at Glynn County Animal Services by Glynn Police Chief Matt Doering. Doering, Morris' immediate supervisor, called Morris a good employee who may have been overwhelmed by the job. Morris could not be reached for comment Friday. "I reached a point where I felt Director Morris had taken on more than she could handle," Doering said Friday. "She and I sat down and talked about it on a number of occasions. She said she would like to step down as director." Morris has worked as director of the shelter since June 2008. "She's a great person," Doering said. "She works very hard, she loves animals, and I don't ever want to get rid of a good employee." Doering said he met with Morris Monday prior to his decision, and they mutually determined she would leave the supervisory position for another animal control position. Glynn County Police Sgt. Cheri Bashlor will be the interim director during the search for a new head. The animal shelter has been at the center of controversy for months as volunteers at the shelter and members of the Glynn County Animal Services Advisory Board clashed with county staff over the shelter's operations and procedures. Several volunteers have been dismissed from service over the past several months and some staff members left their jobs. The contention came to a head last week, when people on all sides of the issue came together to discuss the shelter at a town hall meeting called by Commissioner Bob Coleman. Coleman said Friday he's pleased with the staffing change. The at-large commissioner has made the animal shelter one of his priorities, and finding a new director ready to increase the live release rate will go a long way to improving operations. Coleman said his long-term goal for the shelter continues to be the achievement of no-kill status, which is accomplished when fewer than 10 percent of animals are euthanized. Marci DeSart, who until she was removed by the county commission served as chair of the animal services advisory board, agreed the change in leadership was a step in the right direction. "Finding someone willing to work with people to reach no-kill (status) is totally fundamental. That someone has to be open-minded to foster relationships and leverage resources for the animals," DeSart said. "I do feel we've reached a turning point, and there's no going back at this point. I'm proud of where we're going." Doering said he's continuing to investigate operations and address other concerns about conditions raised through citizens' complaints. Part of his work, he said, was to distinguish fact from rumor. The chief said he made several unannounced visits at the shelter, interviewed staff and volunteers, inspected the property when the shelter was closed, reviewed policy manuals and audited records. His goal was to reach the most objective conclusion for improving the shelter's operations and conditions. The best choice for a new director will be someone who can suggest more answers to the shelter's problems, Doering said. "I need a director who can work with me. I'm looking for someone who's best qualified to manage a facility of our size and who has an open mind -- someone who's willing to sit down and come up with solutions," Doering said. "I want a new director to look at the issues, study them and find a reasonable way to increase our live release rate as much as possible." In the meantime, Doering said he plans to hire another new staff member -- funded by the county commission in this year's budget -- to serve as live release coordinator. This position would assist with mobile adoptions, posting pictures to the website and coordinating with pet owners for returns. The plan is to work on short term and long-term solutions to increase live releases, and he has already started brainstorming with staff. On Friday, the chief implemented a policy for posting information on the department's website that includes the date of an animal's adoptability. The new policy is to keep adoptable animals for 30 days prior to adding them to the euthanasia list. That way, the public can track which animals are at the greatest risk to be euthanized. -- Reporter Kelly Quimby writes about government and other local topics. Contact her at [email protected] or at 265-8320, ext. 321. In an email to the Glynn County Commission Tuesday, a copy of which was obtained by The News Friday, Doering wrote that while Morris is an apt animal control officer, she lacks the ability to supervise the department. r,hosted With the vacant position soon to be posted, Coleman said it's his hope the search will be broad, so the best possible candidate can be found. , ___ (c)2014 The Brunswick News (Brunswick, Ga.) Visit The Brunswick News (Brunswick, Ga.) at www.thebrunswicknews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |