LightRoasted
If I may ...
If I may ...
Merrick owned a chunk of land that the county sold to them. Take away all the emotions and what is left is an over-priced commercial building. "I honestly do not know whether the county got "ripped off" or what good old boys deal was made." You know? If you were to take out that profit motive of yours, and think as taxpayer getting screwed over and find out all the information, you might find that the county did get ripped off. How is it that government owned buildings that were "build in the late 50's is obsolete and inadequate"? Why are not the houses we live in considered, "obsolete and inadequate", after the same passing of time? Maybe all that shelving in your store is, "obsolete and inadequate" and needs replacing right now? Go buy some new ones even though the current ones are serviceable. That is exactly what government is doing to screw over the taxpayer. Get your head out of your ass.
Charles Co announced a couple of years ago that the Tri County Animal shelter was going to close; they were going to rebuild and Calvert & St Mary's needed to build their own shelters. As far as I know neither St Mary's co nor Charles currently have a plan but the shelter which was build in the late 50's is obsolete and inadequate. With the growth of all three counties, it is long overdue for each county to have their own shelter.
Merrick Properties owned a chunk of land on 231 and offered to build a state of the art animal shelter for CC. They met with Linda and others and brought in architects that were experienced in building animal shelters. A lot of thought and planning was put into this shelter; with Linda having a lot of input in the layout.
If you knew Linda, she was an intelligent and intense person, especially when it came to animals. For many years, she was the commissioner that was the "voice for this animals" in Calvert county. She was, both as a commissioner and also a private citizen; a mover and shaker and was involved in many other causes as well.
I was present in several monthly meetings with an informal group of animal professionals that included Linda (and I believe she helped form the group many years ago) in Calvert Co. She was to be on the Calvert County Animal Shelter Advisory Board, which she was never able to attend because she had passed away. As one that is currently on that board, I can say she her absence is felt...and her presence as well. I was at the ribbon cutting of this fine building and am proud to be a part of the future success of this animal shelter.
Whatever the citizens- several of them posting on here- think about the shelter or whether we needed it, can afford it, were ripped off by Merrick and or the commissioners etc etc., I can only say as a pet professional, business owner, volunteer and animal lover: this shelter was needed and should be embraced.
Please take a tour when it is open to the public in November and compare to the old shelter. Please also consider that HUMANS have created many of the problems that require us to have shelters and the need to house and also the not so nice side- to euthanize animals.
Please consider that there is a NON- PROFIT group that has been making a HUGE difference in this county for many years by providing free spay & neuter's. They are now forming a new nonprofit 501C3 to support and provide $ to the animal shelter. The SPOT Thrift shop in St. Leonard...a wonderful organization.
Also wonderful! PAWS, the Calvert Well Pet clinic and the Humane Society of Calvert Co and others also make a huge difference.
I honestly do not know whether the county got "ripped off" or what good old boys deal was made. I DO KNOW that this county needed this beautiful shelter and I think it is in good hands with the staff running it.
There will be people that disagree with me and will want to debate this issue esp the "politics" of it. I will be unavailable for debate as I am heading out of town to see my 88 year old Dad for a few days.
Merrick owned a chunk of land that the county sold to them. Take away all the emotions and what is left is an over-priced commercial building. "I honestly do not know whether the county got "ripped off" or what good old boys deal was made." You know? If you were to take out that profit motive of yours, and think as taxpayer getting screwed over and find out all the information, you might find that the county did get ripped off. How is it that government owned buildings that were "build in the late 50's is obsolete and inadequate"? Why are not the houses we live in considered, "obsolete and inadequate", after the same passing of time? Maybe all that shelving in your store is, "obsolete and inadequate" and needs replacing right now? Go buy some new ones even though the current ones are serviceable. That is exactly what government is doing to screw over the taxpayer. Get your head out of your ass.