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Melissa Brock, Environmental Health Director, or Betty Johnson, PACE EH Coordinator at the Gadsden County Health Department.

GADSDEN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
August 2005 PACE-EH Progress Report

To:         Daniel Parker, M.S., and GAL
                Assistant Division Director, Division of Environmental Health

From:     Betty Johnson
                PACE-EH Coordinator

Subject: Gadsden County Environmental Health Community Project Monthly Progress
                Report for August 2005

Date:     August 26, 2005

On August 22nd 2005, we held our seventh PACE EH meeting at the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioner’s Office located in Quincy. Team members and other residents of the county continued to discuss the drafting of a new Animal Control Ordinance for the county. Focus was also centered on our environmental health community project, and the discussion on environmental health issues in the county.

Guess speaker at this month’s meeting was Maureen O’Brien, President of the Gadsden County Humane Society. Mrs. O’Brien discussed the function, purpose and mission of their agency, which is funded by donations and volunteers. Discussion centered around preventing animal cruelty to domestic animals and relieving their suffering, extending additional education for children and adults, working toward a solution of over population of animals, promoting adoption programs, promoting and sharing responsibility for proper care and placements of animals, and providing intervention or care for animals that are homeless, abused or neglected. The Gadsden County Humane Society is very much interested in working in collaboration with the Gadsden County Animal Control Agency, who were invited to the meeting, but failed to attend. The Animal Control Agency, Herb Chancey (Director) and Willie Saucier (officer) were provided with a copy of the proposed Animal Control Ordinance draft report. They were asked to review the report and make contact with the PACE EH Coordinator by August 29 2005, regarding any questions, comments or recommendations. Herb Chancey, Director of Gadsden Animal Control Agency met with the PACE EH Coordinator, and the Environmental Health Manager, Melissa Brock on July 29 2005, to find out more information about PACE, and to express his concerns regarding the facility. Mr. Chancey expressed the need for additional animal control officers for the county. He stated that the original contract called for four officers for the county. Two of the four positions have been filled. The two officers are required to work the entire Gadsden County area. Mr. Chancey also expressed that their agency is in need of help, and that their facility has only a 54 animal capacity.

There were twelve people that attended the August 22 PACE meeting. The meeting started at 6 p.m. and ended at 8 p.m. The PACE EH Coordinator is continuing to seek ways in getting the attendance up for future meetings. However, the meeting was very informative, and the Gadsden County Humane Society would like to team up with PACE in having the Animal Control Ordinance draft report approved by the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioner’s. The Gadsden Humane Society presented a five year initiative plan to the Board of County Commissioner’s about a year ago. This plan addressed the building of a new animal shelter, and the possibility of relocating the existing animal shelter from the landfill to a friendlier location. Other interest expressed included converting the new facility to a No-Kill facility where as none of the animals are euthanized, and would remain at the shelter until adopted. Reportedly, the initiative plan presented to the Board was turned down.

Bill Keyser and Sharon Saulter (Chairperson and Vice-chairperson) were present at the meeting. Other discussions on the agenda included-Maddie’s Fund-handouts, reviewing of the Animal Control Ordinance draft report to be presented to the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioner’s, and discussion of the PACE EH Surveys. The CEHAT were asked to review the report, make changes and recommendations regarding the report and contact the PACE Coordinator no later than August 29 2005, regarding any changes or comments they may have, prior to submission of the report to the Board for their review.

PACE continues to post all up coming meetings in the three local Gadsden County Newspapers (Twin City News, Gadsden County Times and Havana Herald). Flyers are posted throughout the City of Quincy, Midway, Chattahoochee, and Havana areas.

Some of the residents of the Midway area expressed interest in attending last month’s meeting to address their concerns regarding their current Drinking Water Quality. An article was featured in the Gadsden County Times/Environmental Health Corner in April 2005, written by Environmental Health Manager, Melissa Brock regarding “Drinking Water Standards in Gadsden County”. The article was very helpful in providing information to the citizens of the county concerning Groundwater, and Regulatory Programs that help to balance the risks from unsafe and unhealthy drinking water. The citizens were also made aware that the Gadsden County Health Department’s Environmental Health Office samples all private wells within a certain mile radius of known contaminated facilities on an annual basis, free of charge. The members were able to read and discuss the article and make comments. Information and directions were provided to the residents of Midway area, as to a contact person who would be able to assist them in bringing their water quality up to standard.
 

Note: Currently, we are in task eight and moving forward.
 

PACE EH welcomes additional ideas on how to increase the attendance for future meetings.
 

Gadsden County Environmental Health Leadership Team:

The Environmental Health Leadership Team will include additional members who represent the key agencies/organizations in the Gadsden County community.

Schedule of Activities/Meetings:

Past Gadsden County Reports:

March, 2005

August/September, 2004

October, 2004

December, 2004

January, 2005