Photo: Mitch Geier and wife Betsy
with dogs
Chey (left) and Jack (right)
(we have 3 dogs 2 cats 4 birds and 1 lizard)
Mitch Geier
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Photo: Mitch Geier and wife Betsy Mitch Geier |
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Respect dissent. Not be terrified of it. Let them scream. People elected to serve the sane, smart people of America must move ahead on what they KNOW is right. We must hold them accountable when they do not.
Welcome! Right Now Homeless animals need your help Please always look at our Critter Corner Notification RE: Critter Corner Hot News I would like to that all the wrote, emailed, called, and came to today’s Board of Health meeting supporting Critter Corner. After hearing me at the meeting Senator Singer strongly suggested that Betsy and I be considered press and coordinate our efforts with the Public Information Officer. We will not be required to sign any papers or join the wonderful volunteer groups at either. It appears that the rest of the board concurred. It is with a big smile I can tell you Critter Corner is back and we will be sending it out again Sunday night or Monday morning. John (Jack) Mallon the Chairman and I spoke at length after the meeting and I suggested to him that rather than trying to hide the euthanization issue from the public that if we had open government and informed the public of the reality after the initial shock it could very well help in the long term with both adoption and all of the other associated tasks related to controlling the animal population. I have read articles on this in the past and know these efforts were successful. Jack Mallon has requested that if we have statistical data or articles that we supply the board with them. So please get that information to me so I can develop a packet for the board. Anyway again thanks to all and you will see Critter Corner back this week. If you are the press Please hold space for this week’s issue which you will have on time.
Old News It is with great sadness that I must inform you that Critter Corner is temporarily suspended and most likely ending permanently. We are so very grateful to all the media organizations who have generously allotted pro bono space in their publications for Critter Corner! Please read below for a partial explanation. My wife, Betsy, and I have functioned over the last 3 years as independent press liaisons for the Ocean County Animal Facility-North in producing Critter Corner. Our objective—and our passion—is to contribute toward increasing adoptions and reducing the incidence of euthanasia for the pets who find their way to this shelter. Approximately one year ago, the Ocean County Health Department attempted to censor the Critter Corner publication. Specifically, they wanted us to remove any mention of euthanasia. (As you may know, most animal shelters have a high rate of euthanasia and the Ocean County Animal Facility has an extremely high rate of euthanasia.) We were able to deflect this censorship and have continued producing Critter Corner uncensored until this time. Recently however, after 3 years of producing Critter Corner, the Ocean County Health Department is now requiring us to sign a contract. This contract is problematic (and we are unable to sign it under advice of counsel) as it specifically prevents us from sending any materials (including Critter Corner) to the press as it “violates Health Department policies.” We have attempted to work with the Health Department to amend their boilerplate contract so we could continue producing Critter Corner. The Health Department, however, is unwilling to make any changes to their contract. They have verbally communicated to us (with a “wink wink”) that we can continue distributing Critter Corner after signing the contract; however they are unwilling to provide us with anything in writing. While it deeply pains us to be unable to continue producing Critter Corner, we cannot in good conscience sign this contract knowing that we will immediately be violating it. The Ocean County Health Department has barred us from entering the animal facility unless and until we sign these and other documents, which we cannot do as they stand. Therefore, for now Critter Corner is now suspended. If we are able to align with another local shelter or if the Ocean County Health Department changes their stance we will advise you. Until then, thank you for your interest, your generosity, and your commitment to fostering pet adoptions. Adopt a pet—save a life! "Home is where the dog hair sticks to everything but the dog." Anonymous -------- Below is my response to the outpouring of responses and requests from the above ----- Thank you for responding the information below is for all concerned I have tried to answer questions presented in the email I have received so this one response could be sent to all One of the things
they want us to agree to is Unfortunately I cannot speak for anyone else but what we are independent journalists and have functioned that way for the last 3 years. Our attorney has told us not to sign the documents requested. We are not part of the auxiliary or employees of the county any of which could be conflicts of interest for us. I hope this helps clarify our position and I do hope the county changes their minds about the papers. Our objective is and always has been “To create awareness and increase adoptions so that more animals can find loving homes and fewer will be euthanized.” I have reached out to Freeholder Little’s office and am waiting for a response. In the mean time if you want to fight for us please call freeholder Little and express your displeasure with this situation. Freeholder Gerry P. Little Office of the Freeholders
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