A woman who did not adopt a cat from the county animal shelter has asked the shelter for the release of animal adoption records, a request that was granted by the county commission but has raised objections by Mackinac Animal Aid Association.

Mackinac County commissioners granted Joleen Dutcher's Freedom of Information Act appeal for the release of a year's worth of animal adoption applications from the Mackinac Animal Aid Association (MAAA) after a tense debate over whether the association had to comply with the act. Meeting Thursday, September 24, the commission also approved three applications to be sent to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians requesting project funding, accepted bids for the Allied ambulance roof and security system, and made a budget amendment to cover a budget shortfall for Community Action Agency.

The Freedom of Information Act is a law ensuring public access to government records, and Ms. Dutcher invoked it to ask for copies of animal adoption records after her request to adopt a cat was denied at the shelter, she said, although the shelter contends it was not denied.

Ms. Dutcher said during the meeting her application to adopt a cat from the shelter was denied because she had said she would allow it to roam outside. Mackinac County Animal Shelter manager Ginger Valentine contended Ms. Dutcher's application was not denied, and that instead, Ms. Dutcher refused to adopt the animal when she was told they preferred cats to be kept indoors.

Submitting an application to adopt an animal does not guarantee an approval, said Jo Ford, secretary and treasurer of MAAA.

The Mackinac County Animal Shelter does not provide animal adoptions, but MAAA handles that service. After obtaining an animal, the shelter houses and takes care of the animal for 10 days. After that time MAAA, a nonprofit group, assumes the expenses of the animal and promotes its adoption, Mrs. Ford said. The association has a "working relationship" with the county, she told The St. Ignace News, and is permitted to operate within the county animal shelter building. The group does not have a formal contract with the county.

During the meeting, the question was raised whether the association must comply with the Freedom of Information Act. While it operates on county property, it is a separate entity.

Commissioner Calvin "Bucky" McPhee expressed concern about releasing the applications. Each application contains the names, addresses, and contact information of the applicants, and he was doubtful if that information should be divulged. Ms. Dutcher explained she was interested in seeing the reasoning for why each person was approved or denied for an adoption, and that the personal information could be blacked out.

Prosecuting attorney Fred Feleppa advised the commission to grant Ms. Dutcher's request. While the MAAA is separate from the county, he told The St. Ignace News, it performs a governmental action by sheltering animals and operates in county-owned property. An equally strong case could be made against releasing the information, he said, but it would be prudent to grant her request, instead. He warned Ms. Dutcher that manually blacking out personal information and producing copies while attending to normal shelter duties would take several weeks. She would also be responsible for paying for each copy before they were received.

The commissioners agreed with Mr. Feleppa's sentiments and granted the request. The price per copy will be determined at a later date.

"It's a viable request so long as the personal information is blacked out," Commissioner Mike Patrick said.

Mrs. Ford told The St. Ignace News she will fight the decision.

Commission Approves Sault

Tribe Funding Applications

Applications from Lutheran Child and Family Services organization, Top of the Lakes Snowmobile Museum, and Legacy House for funding from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians was reviewed by the county commission. A governmental agency must act as a pass-through and approve an application before it can be sent to the tribe for review.

Debbie Sirk of Lutheran Child and Family Service approached the commission with the request after having it denied by the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners. She hoped Mackinac would approve the application, as the organization also serves the area.

The organization provides families with counseling, parental skills training, budgeting assistance, and other services. The organization allocates $300 per family for the 50 families it serves, she said, but their needs are increasing. If the application for $7,500 is approved by the tribe, the money will be used to enhance the $300 allocation. Commissioners approved the application.

Kathy Lawnichak of Legacy House explained her application for $3,500 would be used similarly to Lutheran Child and Family Services. Legacy House, a local women's shelter, raised nearly enough money to cover its budget. The funding would be used to clear the remainder of the budget and develop programs offered by the shelter. Many of the requests sent to the tribe for funding have been approved, she added. The commission approved the application also.

Commissioners quickly endorsed the Top of the Lakes Snowmobile Museum application for $10,000 with little discussion.

Bids for Security System, Allied Ambulance Roof Accepted

Two bids for panic buttons and security cameras to be installed in the county courtroom were reviewed by the commission. Northern Fire and Safety submitted a bid totaling $20,426, while Alert Electronics submitted a bid for $15,650 for the work. The commission accepted Alert Electronics's low bid.

The commission also reviewed 10 bids for a new Allied ambulance service roof. Most bidders provided costs for an asphalt shingle roof and a steel one, although Mr. McPhee said a steel roof would be unnecessary. The other commissioners agreed.

The lowest bidder was the Jordan Construction Group, bidding $7,197 for a shingle roof. The commissioners opted for the second lowest bidder, Benchmark Construction Company, for $7,850 for shingles. The commissioners agreed they preferred to accept a bid from a company in the county, leading to the decision to accept Benchmark.

Budget Amended for Community Action Agency

Don Wright of the Community Action Agency explained to the commission the agency went over budget by $4,200. In-house health assistance is provided to those in need, he said, and some of the dropped services by the Luce, Mackinac, Alger, and Schoolcraft District Health Department were assumed by the agency. In-house aid is in high demand, he said, with the agency receiving 10 calls a week in July. The commissioners agreed to amend the budget by $4,200 to cover the shortfall with little debate.