Dec. 18, 2015 - Jan. 7, 2016
Happy Holidays from all of us at the Northwest Observer! We’ll be back Jan. 8
Longtime council member, mayor thanked Ray Combs retires from council after 14 years by GERRI HUNT OAK RIDGE – Stepping down after 14 years on the Oak Ridge Town Council, with a dozen of those as mayor, Ray Combs has surely left a mark on his beloved town. Mayor Spencer Sullivan says he is fortunate to have Combs as a great friend and mentor. “He has always led by example, with integrity, grace, vision and wisdom. During his 12-year tenure as mayor, his strategic vision and leadership have brought the town through a period of
tremendous growth while maintaining its historic character, charm and appeal,” says Sullivan. “His dry wit, collaborative approach and determination have brought people together on a wide range of issues, and our town looks the way it does because of his efforts. As a result, we have become one of the most desirable places to live in North Carolina.” Oak Ridge Town Clerk Sandra Smith has known Combs since volunteering with him on the Oak Ridge Horse Show Committee in the late 1990s. “He’s always been a really good leader, but does it in such a way
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Guilford County Animal Shelter: The buck stops nowhere? by ANNETTE JOYCE
though) the shelter had a crematorium.”
GUILFORD COUNTY – Last July the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department began an investigation into complaints against the Guilford County Animal Shelter, uncovering some of the most horrific cases of animal abuse imaginable.
From a legal point of view, there were issues of financial misappropriation. In addition, rescue groups and volunteers reported excessive difficulty in working with shelter management, and Marsha Williams, the former executive director for both the Guilford and Davidson County shelters, was accused of nepotism.
Seriously injured dogs and cats sat for days in pens without medical treatment. In a post on Facebook, Sheriff BJ Barnes spoke of “broken bones, open wounds and some missing body parts.” He also mentioned that “dead animals (were) stacked five-foot-high in the shelter freezer with no explanation as to why (even
IN THIS ISSUE
As a result of the investigation findings, Guilford County took over operation of the shelter and dismissed the United Animal Coalition, the organization that had been operating the facility since 1998. Three former employees, Williams, her daughter
File photo
Dana Williams-King and Marissa Studivent faced misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. While the investigation uncovered all kinds of wrongdoing, the Guilford County District Attorney’s Office has announced that it will not file charges against the three former employees due to a lack of sufficient evidence. Meanwhile, Davidson County is moving forward with its prosecution of felony charges against the three. At a hearing on Nov. 30, that case was continued. In Guilford County, the sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate potential misappropriation of donations and county funds, and charges may be forthcoming. “The only thing for sure is the shelter is in better shape now under the control
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www.nwobserver.com of the county and things have been put back in order,” concludes Barnes. “Someone should have to be held accountable for the pain and suffering of the animals at both shelters.” As the story continues to play out,
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