Both the city of Memphis and the state of TN have issued opinions that the MAS advisory board meetings are not subject to the TN Open Meetings Act.
The city’s opinion is signed by Herman Morris (he of I-heart-SC-laws-so-muchly fame) and Jill Madajczyk (the senior assistant city attorney). Interestingly, Jill Madajczyk attended the first meeting of the new advisory board where she seconded the motion to shut the public out. When a local taxpayer questioned how Ms. Madajczyk could participate at this level (being that she is not a board member), the board changed the minutes of the meeting and removed Ms. Madajczyk’s seconding of any motions. They thought we wouldn’t notice?
My opinion is that the advisory board meetings ARE subject to the TN Open Meetings laws but I’m not an attorney. What seems indisputable though is the First Amendment to the United States Constitution which guarantees the right of citizens to peaceably assemble, to petition their government for redress of grievances and to speak out without fear of retribution by their government.
As such, I hope every compassionate person in Memphis will exercise their First Amendment rights tonight and peaceably assemble at the advisory board meeting location to petition their government for redress of grievances. Bring a sign if you want (e.g. “Stop the Killing at MAS”), bring a friend, or just stand silently for all the pets – living at dead – at MAS. They have no voice but yours. And unless the city of Memphis or the state of TN plan to suspend the U.S. Constitution and declare martial law, you have every right to use that voice.
Remain peaceful. Remain strong.
According to the city of Memphis website, the advisory board meeting is listed as follows:
Wednesday, August 10
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Benjamin Hooks Library (3030 Poplar)
Conference Room A
Summary of Concerns at Memphis Animal Services
- The killing of pets who are not medically hopeless and suffering nor have they been declared a danger to society by a qualified party.
- The killing of pets when there are empty cages at the shelter.
- The killing of pets who have never been made available to the public for adoption, rescue or foster.
- The killing of pets due to disease outbreak without ever making a public plea for help with quarantine to save lives.
- Failure of the shelter to vaccinate all incoming pets as per standard disease prevention protocol.
- Failure of the shelter to remove dogs and food from cages during cleaning as per standard disease prevention protocol.
- Failure of the shelter to utilize their Chameleon software to interface with PetHarbor so that every pet is viewable online by the public.
- Failure of the shelter to properly train and/or enforce humane handling of pets by the staff.
- Failure of the shelter to implement a TNR program so that the number of feral cats in the community can be reduced over time.
- Failure of the shelter to keep cats separated from the sight, sound and smell of dogs in order to reduce stress and make the population less susceptible to disease.
- Failure of the shelter to provide daily aerobic exercise for dogs for social stimulation and in order to reduce stress and make the population less susceptible to disease.
- The proposed removal of the webcams from MAS which were installed – and are still needed – for the protection of the pets being abused and killed at the facility.
Pathetic! Give these poor homeless dogs a chace at a home and life. Don’t just KILL them because they wind up there. Have you ever really looked into their eyes. They are begging for understanding and for help. They do not want to die unnecessarily. Would you? Please help these dogs! Stop the unnecessary killing of shelter animals.
Wow, changing the minutes to the meeting to hide their dodgy behavior…classy.
Stay strong, locals. Stay strong.
I know, right? But I love that they think we’re too dumb to have noticed. So much for college smarts…
The State of Tennessee is backing the closed meeting? Every person in that state who loves animals, and cares about humane treatment of animals, needs to make their voices heard loud and clear! How about all the country music stars, St. Jude Children’s Hospital. These people depend on the support of the public for donations for the hospital, and ticket sales for concerts, as well as buying CD’s. Why aren’t any of these people speaking up for these helpless animals? Why aren’t they making phone calls to the people in authority? They can make public statements about the outrageous behavior going on in Memphis, as well as other shelters. Let’s face it, the only reason to hide behind closed doors is because they’re up to no good and trying to cover their asses! At the very least fire, and do NOT HIRE co
nvicted felons. Obviously the female employee who is a felon hasn’t changed her ways. So much for giving a felon a chance! Give the helpless animals a CHANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
While we could approach any of the individuals/groups you mention via a “cold call”, it would be better if someone actually knew a Memphis musician or someone at St. Judes, etc and could approach them via an established relationship. They might be more open to hearing from someone they know. But either way, they’re good ideas for networking.
Don’t put all convicted felons in the same group as the ONE lady!! There are plenty of convicted EX-FELONS that are more respondsiable than some of these people walking around that just haven’t been caught! I don’t agree with the actions of this ONE woman but don’t knock the second chance program! If a felon can’t get a job then what do you think they will do to survive? They got to live to! You can be a convicted felon for breaking a window that’s over $500! Animal shelter needs people who love animals to work for them. Not there just for the pay check!
Just like we must treat dogs as individuals, so must we treat people as individuals as well. Someone could have been in trouble with the law for many different reasons and still be a loving pet person. However, putting someone that had already been convicted of animal cruelty in a shelter situation without complete supervision is reckless and shows a complete disregard for animal welfare. If they need to work in the community as a “second chance”, they should do so in an area where there is no chance to practice the very thing they were convicted of. That is why we don’t put pedophiles in situations to work with children, don’t put drug addicts in hospital pharmacies and don’t put animal abusers working with animals.
Give a felon a job, if you like.
Don’t give a felon a job where she has a badge, a truck, no supervision, no accountability, and the ability to poke around people’s private property with impunity.
Much less the opportunity to steal people’s pets. Or just let them die while she’s evading arrest.
Why not just put a drug offender in charge of the paramedics’ drug box on the ambulance? No problem there, right? And get rid of the pesky seals and logs and accountability. Too much paperwork. What could go wrong? Nothing!
Getting off track here – I haven’t seen ONE Memphian who has actually said “I’ll be there!”. THIS is the reason the powers that be do what they do – they DO think we’re all wind and no blow. Its gotta change there.
Oh they’ll be there. I have faith.
Sorry… I live in NC. Wish I could be there.