Thursday's letters: Right injustice against animal shelter volunteers

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·3 min read
With fewer volunteers at a shelter, the animals spend more time in their cages, causing more stress, higher risk of disease, more behavior problems and a lower chance of adoption.
With fewer volunteers at a shelter, the animals spend more time in their cages, causing more stress, higher risk of disease, more behavior problems and a lower chance of adoption.

Dogs pay price for shelter mismanagement

On July 3, 12 Manatee County animal shelter volunteers were told “Your services are no longer required.” No reason was provided.

The Manatee County Animal Welfare Shelter has a history of retaliating against volunteers. In 2020, Manatee County fired me for seeking relief for dogs housed outdoors in summer heat. (My lawsuit cost Manatee County $113,000 in legal fees, plus the settlement.)

Poor management is the cause of deteriorating shelter conditions, staffing shortages, injuries and hostility toward volunteers.

The Constitution requires that defendants be told why they are being accused and that they be allowed to reply. In this country we believe in treating people fairly. These volunteers’ only crime was to speak up against suffering.

The dogs pay the price.

These volunteers have had their lives turned upside down. If the Manatee County commissioners do not right this injustice, voters need to remember that on Election Day.

David Daniels, Bradenton

Don’t be fooled: No negotiating with Iran

This is in response to a letter Aug. 7 that called for the U.S. to negotiate with Iran. The cold, hard reality is that the Iranians have no real intention of actual negotiation (“US should talk, trade with Iran,” Aug. 7).

One of the scientists who worked for me in Washington was a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency inspection team and made repeated “inspection” trips to Iran.  Upon arrival, the team members’ passports were confiscated and they were locked in their hotel until it was time to return.

The team was not debriefed and they had no input into the final report. Reportedly, the final report on the “successful inspection” was written and distributed by no more than a few top IAEA officials, none of whom made any trips to Iran.

Thomas C. Brown, Parrish

Paying slavery reparations a complex matter

Who will pay reparations for slavery and who will be paid? Before you donate your hard-earned money to this cause, check it out.

There were Black and American Indian slave owners. Plus, slavery was worldwide.

How exactly is anyone going to determine who owes and who pays?

We see history through the eyes of the scholars, and sometimes the politicians. It depends on how they see it.

Do your own research and decide what you believe.

Larry J. Tracy, Sarasota

Coming of age back home

Age is only a number, but when the number hits three digits you take notice. As I approach my 100th birthday in September, I am truly coming of age, returning again to my favorite place.

I came to Sarasota in 1978 to serve as pastor of Tatum Ridge Baptist Church. I remained there as a minister for 23 years.

Originally from Greenville, South Carolina, I served over 50 years in ministry in seven Florida churches. I was also a certified teacher and taught in Sarasota for many years.

While recently going through my files, I discovered I had taught full time or substituted in every Sarasota County school!

Sarasota is not only a beautiful place to live – it also holds many joyful memories. In my ministry over the years, I practiced the following words of St. Francis of Assisi:

“You want to know one of the best ways to win people over and lead them to God? It consists of giving them joy and making them happy.”

I am happy to be back home.

Rev. John T. James, retired pastor, Tatum Ridge Baptist Church, Sarasota

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Loss of a dozen volunteers harms animals at Manatee shelter