Animal Shelter gives preference to researchers!

The Situation in Montcalm County, MI appears to have gone from inhumane to corrupt, with blatant self-dealing and reports of threats inhibiting the local media and the citizens themselves from speaking up.  This is small town politics with big city corruption%u2014and we need people who are not intimidated by these folks to uncover what is really happening.
 
As many of you know, Montcalm County, Michigan is one of the few places in the country (and in the civilized world) that gives pound animals over to research.  This practice is known as "pound seizure".  There are many compelling arguments against pound seizure-- the inhumane suffering of animals that once were someone's pets; the breach of the public trust in the "shelter" and the resultant "dumping" of animals elsewhere; the scientific inaccuracies and flaws of using animals with unknown backgrounds and histories as research subjects--the list is endless.  And the citizens of Montcalm County have made it known--loud and clear--that they are against pound seizure and had wanted the upcoming contract with R&R Research (the Class B dealer who "brokers" the animals to research) to not be renewed.  To make it more egregious, the practices of the county and R&R Research are also suspect-- R&R Research has been cited for numerous violations; Jim Woudenberg, the owner of R&R Research, had a key to the pound so he could "cherry pick" the animals he wants; R&R Research gets an opportunity to get the animals even before the public or rescues.  Yet, in an unfathomable turn of events, at a commissioners' meeting where 150 people showed up and only three (the owner of R&R, his vet and one of the commissioners' wives) spoke up in favor of the contract, the contract was extended for six months while the situation was to be reviewed.
 
The situation has gotten even more unbelievable and the "review" is a joke.  A "blue ribbon committee" was formed to, among other things; evaluate the R&R Research contract.  Two of the members of the committee are Mr. Woudenberg (the owner of R&R) and his veterinarian.  When committee members questioned Mr. Woudenberg on some of his practices, he took the "5th" to avoid self-incrimination (now keep in mind the "5th" is only available as a defense in a criminal trial--this was not a trial and what criminal activity is Mr. Woudenberg worried about?)  
Mr. Carr has threatened to disband the committee if folks didn't play by his rules. Local media have been threatened by R&R Research's lawyers such that they are too scared to print letters, and blog comments to the editor about this situation%u2014nor would they accept paid advertisements from the coalition groups.  And one of the commissioners has brazenly declared %u201CWhat happens in Montcalm County is no one else's business.%u201D  
This is not democracy at work.
 
We need letters mailed or faxed to the Commissioners (an e-mail is too easy to delete).  PLEASE write, fax or call today.  

PLEASE KEEP IT PROFESSIONAL!!!
Fax # for the commissioners - 989-831-7375! 

District 1- Ron Blanding                                      
403 W High Street
Greenville, MI48838
(616) 225-7972
 
District 2- Tom Lindeman
8060 S. Backus Road
Greenville, MI48838       
(616) 754-4918
email: tblindeman@   sbcglobal.net

District 3- Ron Retzloff
786 S. Senator Rd.
Crystal, MI 48818
(989) 235-6827
email: comish@   casair.net

District 4- John Johansen
3503 S. Monroe Rd.
Greenville, MI 48838
(616) 754-5375
email: johm@   pathwaynet.com

District 5- Carl Paepke
18419 Stanton Rd. NW
Pierson, MI 49339
(616) 636-5692

District 6- Ron Baker
PO Box 91
Howard City, MI 49329
(231) 937-5465
email: rbaker68amx@   hotmail.com

District 7- Pat Carr
10397 Almy Rd.
Lakeview, MI 48850
(989) 352-8129

District 8- Roger Caris
8984 E. Deaner Rd.
Vestaburg, MI 48891
(989) 268-5875
email: rcaris@   gccmha.org

District 9-Steven Crouse
8701 Session Rd
Carson City, MI48811
(989) 235-4696
email: crousetax@   nomadinter.net
 
Thank you.