I’ve worked at Mackinac County Animal Shelter since January 2008. I started out at the request of the manager to help on her days off. Since that time, my hours have varied between 12 and 25, depending on the schedule.

The three regular employees have always had a positive, productive team approach to providing for the needs of the animals, the general public, Mackinac Animal Aid Association, and each other. In other words, we have been a strong team.

Back in October 2009, two Mackinac County commissioners came to the shelter to inform this team that the county would be taking over the responsibility of our positions. “But don’t worry, nothing will change” was the quote from both of them. The team all thought, “Great, we will have county jobs, maybe even a pay raise.” Little did we know that it was just the beginning of a long drama that, to date, has not ended.

So for “nothing will change,” we have had the hours changed, closed two days a week. This change has resulted in two employees’ hours being cut drastically (the animal control officer has taken those hours at a much higher rate of pay) and the teamwork approach has been disrupted and disrespected.

There have been countless extra meetings held by the board (I wonder how much that costs the taxpayers?) and no decisions have been made. At my recent public interview for my part time shelter position with the county, even the most basic documents and questions could not be provided or answered. There is not a job description, a wage scale could not be provided, nor the number of hours or days of the week. It could be another three weeks until this is available.

“Nothing will change.” Everything has changed. What will be the next change? Euthanization over adoption. So my question to the general public is this: “If the Board of Commissioners can’t make a decision on such a small entity as the animal shelter, how do they manage the bigger issues in this county?”

Think before you elect.

Vickie Patson

St. Ignace