Dear Joe,
Well here we go again.
I have been hearing complaints from inside the shelter.
The employees are even complaining to the Board of Directors for the HS and it's all falling on deaf ears.
Ive heard that David Fitzgerald is running the place into the ground very quickly. Not only is he the director and book keeper he is the shelter manager. Seems to be a one man band. A shelter of this size cannot be run and controlled by one person.
I also saw a new sign on the desk saying they no longer accept checks. Wonder if they still except credit and bank cards. Why does this not surprise me. Seems the new director is trying to take in money in cash form as much as possible. No paper trail no accountability.
This do nothing board and the HS need to be reported to and investigated by the IRS. If
the books are not in order they will lose the 501(c)3 charity status that they have. If they lose this a new board would have to be formed with a new tax exempt status being issued as a non profit. Come on people of Wicomico County we need to fight for accountability for our tax dollars and for the animals.
Please step up to the plate and make the necessary calls to finally get answers. If
enough people call they will audit this place.
34 comments:
I warned by an employee not to give cash to them because someone has their hand in the till. This was about a month ago and now this comes to light.
To the person that wrote this, what did they tell you when you made a call?
At least a year ago I went to pick-up a dog and their policy was, back then, no checks accepted. Are you just realizing this?
Also, I'm not understanding why there isn't a meeting of the HS Members to question some of these problems. The Board answers to the membership.
Do they issue signed receipts for those ca$h transactions?
Paper trails can be traced ...
What do you do to become a HS Member?? I am interested in knowing & where is the list of HS Members held??? These people should get together to have the "Board" listen to legitimate complaints. No one should have
this much control over the money.
I am asshamed of this County for not putting more effort in finding out the problems & help solve them!
Rick Piolott is above them All. So if the Board won't address any of the problems then He would be the one you'd take the problems to according to the Animal Laws for the County.
I have reported this to the local IRS office , seems it was reported prior to yesterday by someone else.
Why don't you go to someone who can help with this instead of complaining on a blog? Do you have evidence backing up your accusation of the Director taking money? Do you have any proof that the board does nothing? Joe has no power over the Humane Society. Do something instead of complaining and making accusations of stealing and worthlessness.
Don't have too much faith in the IRS.They have been on the budget roller coaster just as almost every other government agency has.I can't help but notice how people view the IRS as the go to whenever questionable business practices may be in play.Like everyone else,they do the very best they can with what they have.
There are actually two Agencies - The Humane Society and Animal Control
HUMANE SOCIETY OF WICOMICO COUNTY
HS Board Members
BONNIE GORDY President
CHARLOTTE LITTLETON Vice-President
BILL GIVANS Treasurer
KRISTI TRUITT Secretary
Members - at - Large
MARY RUNNER
T.A. PHILLIPS
JODY MORRISON
HS STAFF
Beth Cooney Events Coordinator
Kim E. Animal Care Manager
Jenna Adoption Coordinator
Matressa Senior Animal Caretaker
Angela Animal Caretaker/Office Staff
Julia Animal Caretaker/Office Staff
Kim H. Veterinary Assistant/Clinic
Mary Animal Caretaker
Nicole Animal Caretaker
Zack Animal Caretaker
Linda F Animal Caretaker
Officer Molnar Animal Control Officer
Phone: 410-749-7603
Fax: 410-543-0756
E-mail:
hswc@verizon.net
Executive Director
David Fitzgerald
ANIMAL CONTROL OF WICOMICO CO
If you have an animal control concern, please call 410-749-1070. Please note that the County only funds animal control for four hours per day. We may not be able to respond on the same day as your complaint.
Animal Control
Wicomico County Animal Control
5130 Citation Drive
Salisbury, MD 21804
410-749-1070
410-543-0756 FAX
Email: animalcontrol@wicomicocounty.org
Director - David A. Fitzgerald
Wicomico County Animal Control
5130 Citation Drive
Salisbury, MD 21804
410-749-1070
Animal Control is provided to Wicomico County as a contracted service by the Humane Society of Wicomico County. The officers operate from the Humane Society facility, but are a separate division from the Humane Society functions. They can be contacted at the above number for animal control issues in the County. City of Salisbury utilizes their own Animal Control Officers dispatched from the police department. For animal control issues in the Salisbury City Limits, please call 410-548-3165.
fitzgerald was a one man band stand while mayor of pittsville!! even charged the town for I.T. work on the towns computers too.HE IS MARRIED TO BONNIE GORDYS SISTERS DAUGHTER!!!she is prez of the director board her and her buddy charlotte liitleton.get rid of all 3 and most of your problems will go away. alot of ppl did not like linda, but linda was a kind and generous person who truly loved all animals.i saw her working the cash register in tractor supply a couple weeks ago and was going out of her way to help everyone she waited on.sometime we do not realized what we have till it has gone.
James Richard. Rick Pollitt has NO control over the HS. That is, above and beyond any money they give each year. Trust me when I tell you this, the County has no power whatsoever.
That being said, the mere fact that Salisbury News is willing to expose such information gives all of us more power to make changes than anyone else out there.
Education is power. Considering the Daily Times and the rest of the local MSM refuse to touch such topics proves they are controlled by their advertisers and political officials.
Just because CONCERNED citizens come to Salisbury News does ot make them bad people. Just ask ANYONE who comes to Salisbury News if we have the power to force change. Believe me, we've done so a thousand times.
Two quick examples. Did the City start cleaning up Rt. 50 after we went out, took pictures and then cleaned it up ourselves, yes. Did the Police finally get their overdue raises after we placed enough pressure, yes. The examples go on and on and on.
Like it or not, agree with us or not, we force change almost every day thanks to the support of our tens of thousands of viewers eacyh and every day. Salisbury News would be nothing without all of YOU. Together we make the biggest difference than any one ever has in the past.
You may not like it and you may not want to accept it but it is a fact.
Let me tell you 11:18 am-----It is like pulling teeth to get this County to listen to a citizen about where Our Money is going ---For What & Any thing concerning the HS here!! Been there , seen it happen with my own eyes & ears!!
The Board should should reall be required to have occassional "open meetings for citizens to air any conplaints. The way the HS system is set up here is unbelievable----an open invitation to "stuff -----those in charge----- pockets!"
When will the people of this town "stand up" & demand a place where tax payers money is contributed each & every year & Demand that those running the place be responsible & especially---"held accountable "as to what is going on to the citizens of this County.
Joe offered to open a HS himself, with the County giving him the thousands of dollars they now appropiates to the HS! I can assure you, Joe would see everything was done right---this County is afraid of him exposing many, many truths anyway.Sooo, you guessed it-----Nooo response from your "so called" representative of this County! That should tell you enough right there as to how "things" are handled.
Where does this money go???? Why not make the Board responsible--- as they should be--- for complaints filed.
For facts go to your Countys Dog Laws---Chapter 133 Dogs & Other Animals.
Here's an example of what the Board shall consist of------The Humane Society had a list of their Board Members on their site & I assume it is still there.
Board shall consist of 5 members, plus 2 alternates --term is 3 yrs , no limit on no. of terms a B. member serves---One rep. from following :
Sheriffs Office----Health Dept.---Licensed Vet---American Kennel C certified canine good citizen ---evaluatory/animal behaviorist/trainer ( min. of 10 yrs experience.)
Their Duties as stated in our Laws:
1. Make advisory recommendation 2 County Council regarding changes, implementation & admin. of animal control laws of county.
2. as part of the annual budget process, make advisory recommendations 2 Cty Ex. & approved by C. Council concerning a scheduld of fines authorized or req. by this chapter.
3. Hear & decide appeals from determinations made by Health Officer or designee concerning the calssification of an animas as dangerous.
Ohhh My Goodness!!! No one on the Board is responsible as to how our Money is spent --- and No One is Accountable to Anyone out there!!! Heaven help us!
EW
Yup & you got the facts Straight Joe!!! You Go!!!
The Humane Society should have had an open meeting for all of their members in May. It should have been advertised thirty days prior to that. No advertising, no meeting, and it's now September.
Will they never remove Jody Morrison's name? I think she resigned four or five months ago. Anybody know Jody?
Since they have to have seven members, is that why they leave Jody's name on their list even though she resigned a long time ago? Is business they've conducted since she left null and void because they're violating their own bylaws regarding number of directors?
What you are explaining now has been going on for years. It was the same BS under Linda Lugo. There were even accusations that animals were being sold out the back door for personal profit. Wicomico Humane Society has a terrible reputation. It's very sad that the personnel issues leave such bad and lasting impressions because I really believe that it has a negative impact on the animals.
4L10pm Are you confused or did you just confuse me? I read what Joe wrote about the county not having control on the Humane Society and then you come along and state our representatives should be held accountable. What gives here? Or better yet, what the heck are you trying to say?
The board of directors cares nothing about what goes on at the HS. If they did they would announce their meetings and invite the public. The last time this went on the board members would not meet with the county because as stated by them they didn't want to come under public scrutiny. You would think they would want the public to know what they do. Many more people would volunteer if they knew the right thing was going on there. Has anyone seen their news letter for May June and July. I did and their stats are unbelievable. They claim to have taken in approx. 650 animals and killed something like 585. This is in their own newsletter. Many shelters with the funding this place get has nowhere near those kill rates. Even Dorchester County only killed 6 dogs last year. The HS is calling themselves a no kill lying to the public everytime they say it. They say they only kill for aggression and illness. When you look at the numbers I find that hard to believe. Yet their website shows dogs they take from other shelters. This place has been a can of worms for a long time. They need to lose their non profit status and let someone with sense and love of animals start this place over with a new name new board new director and for the most part new staff.
How he got a starting salary that was bigger than Lugo's was after ten years is not much of a mystery. Why would any member of the board think that is fair or justified? Can they be that afraid of standing up to the president of the board?
From what I have heard the shelter and office managers have been fired and they are not going to be replaced. No one person can over see everything Plus what do they do to get animals adopted NOTHING. They dont have adoption events they don't have events at the shelter as most other shelters do. This county has one of the highest kill rates in the entire state yet has more money than smaller shelters that are doing better. I kind of figure they kill as many as they do so they don't have to spend money on them. The last time I was in there they only had 10 dogs for adoption. How can that be if they take in as many as the post above says they do. It's just so sad that the biggest losers in all of this are the animals that depend on the people there.
I think Fitzgerald needs to be investigated. Bet if they dug deep enough, he could do some time. Between his involvement in Pittsville, Berlin FD, Worcester County and WHS, he could be jailed.
I understand that an experienced shelter manager who applied for the job and had great references was turned down because the board said he wanted too much money. Odd that DF was given that same amount when he got the job but had no training or experience. Wonder how that happened.
What I really don't understand about the board and the HS members is they seem so out of touch with the day to day things that go on there. Makes you wonder if they have ever gone there. In other county shelters it usually the board and member volunteers that put together fund raisers adoption events and volunteer at the shelters. In order for the board and the members to know anything they have to be active at the HS. Another thing there was a huge No Kill Nation seminar to help directors with options and suggestions on how to place more animals and euthanize less. The directors of many of the other shelters on the shore attended Dorchester Talbot Queen Annes and Georetown in Del. Funny no Wicomico in attendance. You can't move forward if you are unwilling to learn and think you know it all. Queen Annes even has an animal hospital in their building that does low cost veterinary care. I'm sure they don't have nearly the funding this HS gets. Most other shelters on the shore also send pictures and info on animals to rescues when they can't find homes for the animals they have and they all work together to save animals. I don't think our HS plays well with others. They are so far behind the times it's not even funny.
Mmmm , we can form a group to discuss this at length. Then we can get some input from the local government , the we can refer to the State government , then we can take it to the Feds. or we could just stop bitchin and do something about it.
Joe you aren't exactly right on that. True, Rick Pollitt can't hire or fire anyone but he can refuse to fund the Humane Society. At over $200,000 a year he could influence the Board. BUT at $200,000 a year he could fund a government operated facility. It should also be known that Julia and many other caretakers listed on the roster from a previous comment have quit because of the lies they are forced to tell people who bring animals in and call to look for their own missing animals. They are putting animals down without trying to contact the owners. It's bad there. It has been for a while but now it's worse. Fitzgerald is a evil man. He is a heartless ruthless individual who could probably be charged with cruelty to those animals. Charlotte littleton is the mother of one of the deputies in Wicomico County.
huh...havent been on here in a long time and of course i get on here and one of the first things i read is this....hate to say it but it sounds like he is taking leadership advice from henderson down at somerset dog control...he runs that place like its the military....you cant breath without him being in your personal business...as for taking in cash...he takes in cash and checks but at the end of each month only turns in checks to the county treasurers office...that place needs to audited....there is a lot of shady things that go on there but henderons philosophy is "fly under the radar"...and this is what it sounds like fitzgerald is also doing...both counties need to wake up and nip this in the bud...just sayin
fitzgeralds over paid salary, bonnie gordys new concrete driveway,seems to be alot of money floating around. i say audit back for last 5 years. have a house cleaning there and a fresh start.
Unless I'm mistaken both the State's Attorney and the Grand Jury have the ability to investigate any improper activities at the HS, if for no other reason than that they receive public funds.
It would be too much like work for Jabba the County Exec to get involved.
In ref to Sept.8th 7:50 pm reply.
Meaning our County Officials should Know & Want to Know where the taxpayes money is going.
This HS is a laughing stock when other Hs see how it's run!!!!!
Sooo----what's the answer?? Let the County give the $200,000 to Joe to open a Humane Society. Problems solved---7:50 pm!
How about the dog that was left at the front door to be taken in by the HS but died OVER THE WEEKEND due to the fact that Fitzgerald never checked the box!
He runs that place like a dictator and it should be all about the animals not him!
i agree 2.02 pm!!! everything he does he does the right way and works on it till he gets it right.him and his wife have probably saved more animals on here than the H.S. and i know she is well knowledgeable in tending to animals needs. probably more than anyone at the H.S.
If they can be investigated by the IRS and the books aren't right they will lose their tax exempt non profit status. This will effectively dissolve the current board and the HS will become a taxable business. Then when they all jump ship a new board can be formed under a new name as a non profit and hire decent knowledgable people that aren't trying to pad their own pockets. The only other solution is to open a separate shelter get the contract for the county and city and watch them go under. The problems at this place never seem to go away and the one constant is the same board. As long as Bonnie Gordy is president and everyone else is to afraid to defy her or just plain doesn't care they need to be gone and an audit is how to make this happen. Someone said we all need to get together and fix this. I would be glad to but am not posting my info here. The HS is known for retaliation against people that go against them.
Hope Joe's wife will get on the board of the HS. They probably won't let her. Anyone know why they still list Jody Morrison on the website as being on the board of directors?
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