HSEC Highlights

The Pilot Club of Elberton gave HSEC a certificate for the “Spirit of Volunteerism”, in recognition of the groups’ contribution to animal care in the county. HSEC president Sandra Ehrig was presented with the certificate at a dinner on March 21, 2000.

HSEC member Elizabeth Tyler and her dog Fred, have been busy doing “Pet Therapy” at Nancy Hart Nursing Home and at Heardmont Nursing Home. The residents have really enjoyed their visits.

Things are going great on the education front. “Kind News” & “Sharing Sam / Dog Bite Prevention” lessons are going well at the elementary schools. At the April meeting HSEC members voted to fund 41 classes at the cost of $24.00 pr class. This shows that educating the public about animal care and safety is a top priority of HSEC.

HSEC continues its effort to see that an animal shelter becomes a reality for our county. Sandra Ehrig met with Mr. Kinney on April 13th and was assured by him that city and county officials are working toward a joint venture in building and maintaining a shelter. (For more info read, A Word From The President& see the enclosed drawing of the proposed shelter).

Has everyone noticed the spay/neuter Bill Boards on the Bowman Hwy, and on the Athens Hwy?

HSEC will be having a Rummage Sale on Saturday, June 10th, from 8am to 2pm., at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Forest Avenue. Items for the sale can be brought to the church on Friday night, June 9th, from 6 to 8pm. Please have all merchandise marked for sale. Any merchandise not picked-up after the Rummage Sale will be donated to the Salvation Army.

Fortsonia Day will be on Saturday, September 16th, and HSEC will participate in some way.

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HSEC meets the first Monday of each month at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Forest Avenue in Elberton. The next meeting will be June 5th, at 7:00pm (We will not meet in July & August). We hope to see you there.

The Purpose of HSEC : The purpose of HSEC is the prevention of cruelty to / suffering of animals, elimination of the over-population of “companion pets” and enhancement of citizen awareness concerning the humane care and treatment of all animals (Taken from Article 4 of by laws).

How Can I Help?

If you would like to contribute to the work of HSEC there are several things you can do. First, you can do so by becoming a member and attending the monthly meetings. A second way would be to make a tax deductible financial gift to HSEC (See membership application form on back page).

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Please take time to read the many annual reports in this addition of Faithful Friends. We want you to be well informed.

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Approved HSEC positions for the year 2000

Officers
President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sandra Ehrig
Vice-President. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marilyn Newton
Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shirley McNeely
Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brenda Jaudon

Board of Directors:
Chairman of the Board . . . . . . Shirley McNeely
Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brenda Jaudon
Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phyllis Avery
Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Ehrig
Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sandra Ehrig (appointed 1/17/00)
Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beth Hodges (resigned eff. 2/1/00
Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carolyn Cann (resigned eff. 2/1/00)

Standing Committees:
Fund-raising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeanie Mack
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phyllis Avery
Pet Therapy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elizabeth Tyler
Newsletter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rand Freer
                                                      Grace Freer
Historian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kyria Whilhite & Brenda Jaudon
Call Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Teri Freer
Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bill Ehrig & Don Gilbert
Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bill Ehrig

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A Word From The President

     On March 6th, city council was presented with the joint animal shelter proposal and rejected it. Their decision is considered to be based on differences between the county and city over “tipping” fees along with their concern over the $300,000 plus in undocumented county loans to the Joe-Fields-City Club Project. Councilman Tom Sigman was quoted in the Star & Examiner as saying “What’s in it for us? Why don’t we build one for ourselves? If they don’t pay their part would it all revert back to us?” Councilman Bobby Hunt was quoted in the Star & Examiner as saying “I want to know what it would cost to build our own shelter. I’ve been here long-enough to know that an agreement with the county is not binding. We just had a year of House Bill 489 that yielded nothing.”(HB 489 calls for Georgia cities and counties to work together on shared services. Even if plans are not implemented they must at least be put together or counties/municipalities will be cut off from any SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax), grants and other state aid.)

     HSEC’s next step will be to meet with County Administrator, Charles Kinney, to get his reaction to the city’s current position on the project. Additionally, HSEC plans to circulate a petition for the county and city to work together in the construction and operation of a new more humane animal shelter. The citizens of Elbert County and the cities of Elbert and Bowman MUST become more vocal to their respective commissioners/council members in order to impress upon our local leaders the great need we have in our area for a new humane shelter. It is our right as taxpayers to be provided with this service.

                                                        Sandra Ehrig, President

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Newsletter Insert (Proposed Shelter)

This represents HSEC’s input to county/city officials regarding a proposed NEW city/county animal shelter. Information was submitted in Dec. 99/Jan. 00. PLEASE remember that “inputs” are always subject to CHANGE by government officials!

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Financial Information

Treasurer’s Report:

Cash at time of Audit (1/11/00)                  $3,641.18

Income

     Fund Raising          $45.35

     Memberships           30.00

     Donations                45.00

     Memorials (Lola)      62.00                       + 182.35

Expenses:

Certificate of Deposit (*)         $2,000.00

Andy Mathis (frame for raffle)        100.00

Sandra Ehrig (rent safe deposit box)      35.00  (2,135.00)

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Checking account balance at 1-31-00        $1,688.53

Income:
     Memberships          $40.00
     Donations                138.00                       + 178.00

Expenses:
Secretary of State                       $15.00
Bank Service Charge                      1.37
Adjustment prior audit                 51.12          (67.49)
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Checking account balance at 2-29-00         $1,799.04

Income:
     Memberships          $10.00
     Donations                 50.00
     Memorials                50.00
    Fund-raising (**)       930.30                   + 1,040.30

Expenses:
Jeannie Mack (advertising)         $5.00
Phyllis Avery (ed. supplies)        36.71            (41.71)
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Checking account balance at 4-3-00           $2,797.63

*Our certificate of deposit is for 24 months and has an annual yield of 6.4%. If we need the funds, we can take it out after 12 months with no penalty. The certificate is in the safe deposit box.

**Walmart matching funds.

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REPORT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE FOR THE HUMANE SOCIETY of ELBERT COUNTY.

     The Audit Committee met on Tuesday evening, January 11, 2000, at 6PM at Granite Hills Animal Care to review the financial records of the Humane Society of Elbert County. Present were Andy Mathis, Treasurer, Don Gilbert and Marilyn Newton, Audit Committee, and Sandra Ehrig, President of the Humane Society. All financial records pertaining to the Humane Society since the Society’s inception in August of 1998, ie., bank statements, check book, and computer records, were reviewed. All financial records were in order, and all questions pertaining to the records were answered by either Andy Mathis and or Sandra Ehrig.

     Following the review, all financial records were turned over to the President, Sandra Ehrig, who will pass the records on to the new treasurer, Shirley McNeely, for presentation at the upcoming Board of Directors meeting.

                                           Respectfully Submitted,

                                           Marilyn Newton
                                           Audit Committee
                                           January 12, 2000

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Membership Committee input for (HSEC) Annual Report 2000

Our first meeting was held in August 1998 to determine if there were enough “people” in Elbert County interested in forming a Humane Society. With about twenty people in attendance, the participants decided to move forward with the effort.

As of January 31, 2000 we are proud to announce that we now have 64 members in good standing. There are currently 4 lifetime members, 1 Corporate member and 59 Annual members. We encourage all members to be active participants in support of the Humane Society’s mission and look forward to seeing and meeting everyone at our monthly gatherings.

After discussion at our January 2000 Board of Directors’ Meeting the following policy was approved. An individual’s membership dues would be due 12 months from the month of joining as opposed to trying to have all dues payable in May of each year. The “May” time frame would instead be our “Annual Membership Drive” month whereby a concerted effort would be made by all existing members to invite persons to join the Humane Society.

Concerning “Membership Cards”. Membership cards will be presented to members in good standing upon “request”. This policy will minimize HSEC administrative workload and assist in reducing the number of “cards” persons already carry in their purses/wallets.

The Board of Directors voted to abandon the HSEC Membership Application Form in the local newspaper strategy this year do to minimal “dollar return in 1999. Instead, a “full” page application form will be run in the next edition of HSEC newsletter, Faithful Friends.

Submitted,

Bill Ehrig
Chairman Membership Committee

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Legislation input for (HSEC) Annual Report 2000

House Bill 362 and Senate Bill 297

These two pieces of legislation appear to be on the front burner in Atlanta. Bottom line is that if they are passed... serious... cases of animal abuse would result in felony charges, fines up to $10,000 and up to 10 years imprisonment.

House Bill 130

This piece of legislation is still in committee. If adopted it would provide the state of Georgia with yet another “speciality” vehicle license plate. This would be a pet lovers’ license plate with extra monies collected targeted primarily to assist counties in spay/neuter programs to help reduce the dog/cat overpopulation in Georgia. Fact... Georgia is said to already offer over two dozen “speciality” license plates that reap millions of dollars for special programs.

Elbert County Board of Health Resolution

A resolution concerning a potential rabies threat in Elbert County was formulated at the November 1999 Quarterly Board of Health Meeting. This resolution was a result of members of the HSEC of Elbert County’s presentation to the Board of Health in May 1999. This resolution was forwarded to the county administrator for review and subsequently presented and adopted by the Elbert County Board of Commissioners on December 13th, 1999. In December 1999, the county administrator, Mr. Kinney, announced his 8 goals for 2000 with animal control listed as number 4. “Preliminary meetings” indicated that the county and city may enter a joint venture to better address animal control issues in Elbert County.

Differential Licensing

This legislation would promote the spay/neutering of pets by owners. Recommended annual fees would be $5.00 for altered pets and $25.00 for unaltered pets. Monies collected from this program would help fund local animal control efforts. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates that 80% of the cities and counties in the United States already have implemented this concept.

Submitted,
Bill Ehrig

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HUMANE SOCIETY of ELBERT COUNTY, INC. ANNUAL REPORT 1999

In my opinion, HSEC has had a very challenging start-up time and eventful 1999. As most of you know, getting a group organized, let alone starting to perform tasks in support of its mission, is not an easy feat. I extend my personal thanks to all the HSEC members for their dedication, time, efforts and support in helping us achieve our successes. Highlights of our accomplishments include:

- Membership has tripled since our first meeting in August 1998.

- “Kind News” pilot program is going well at Falling Creek Elementary and “Sharing Sam / Dog Bite Prevention” lessons are doing great at all the elementary schools.

- Fund-raising events have easily covered our start-up costs and presently allow us to boast a positive net worth.

- We have been publicly recognized for our efforts in support of “toughening” Georgia State Laws concerning serious cases of animal abuse.

- HSEC’s presentation to Elbert County Board of Health in May 1999 concerning the potential rabies threat presented by cat/dog overpopulation appears to have met with success in that the Elbert County Board of Commissioners have announced animal control as number 4 of the 8 goals for the year 2000.

- Adoption of Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation and IRS 501 (C) (3) tax exemption status.

- Elbert County and Elberton have agreed to investigate the possibility of working together to build an animal shelter in Elbert County. HSEC has submitted a proposed shelter floor plan and rendering to facilitate this process.

- Last, but by no means least, the ongoing caring for strays by HSEC members and their efforts to find loving homes for these abandoned “faithful friends” is greatly appreciated.

HSEC has “arrived” and we continue to make our presence known in support of our mission statement. Much work remains to be done. I encourage everyone to help with more fully implementing our various programs. Thanks again for your cooperation and best wishes for a successful year 2000.

Sandra Ehrig

President, HSEC

*Members desiring details concerning the annual reports are asked to contact Sandra Ehrig at 283- 8507

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QUESTIONNAIRE

In order to improve our meeting attendance we would like to get your opinion on the best meeting time. Meetings need to be held on the first Monday of each month because of church activities.

5:30pm_____ or, 7:00pm_____ (Current meeting time)

Other Comments:

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*Please cut this questionnaire out and mail it to the address below. Thank You.

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P.O. Box 267

Elberton, GA 30635

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*All comics in this newsletter were done by Stephen Freer.