Killeen's Animal Control

I recently found myself in the Animal Control building to adopt a cat. A member of my family had been over in their building on a service call the day before, and the staff had been playing with various animals to give them a break from their cages. Okay, the staff probably was playing with them as a way to show them off to the people servicing various equipment in the hopes of finding homes for some of the animals. It worked. Within48 hours, we had a pet cat.

I grew up with the notion that the animals that the City picked up were "undesirable." They were wild or misbehaved or something, I don't really know what. And perhaps where I grew up that was true, or maybe it was true of the 1960's & 1970's. I don't really know. What I do know is that Killeen's Animal Control has some simply wonderful animals that are house-broken, gentle, playful--even spayed or neutered in many cases. Our cat is all of these and has been a wonderful addition to our petless household.

While picking up the cat, I overheard the manager and one of the officers talking. The officer reported that they had picked up 23 cats and 9 dogs that day. Sadly, they had had to put down 19 animals on the same day. You could tell that they truly disliked having to put down the animals, and in talking with them I found out that they go to great lengths to avoid doing so. But sometimes they do not get a choice. Help them out, spay or neuter your animals. And if you are thinking of adding a pet, drop in and see them. I am betting that they have the pet for you.

Just a note, when you walk in to Animal Control, don't look at the bulletin board to the right as come in the door if you have a weak stomach. It's a "wall of shame," showing the injuries that people have inflicted upon animals. Animal Control officers have to deal with this sort of thing far too often, and they created the bulletin board to remind people that "dog catchers" are not the real bad guys. Killeen's are certainly the good guys. Now, go see them and find a furry friend. They are open 7 days a week, and there is an animal there hoping you will be the one to save its life.

Killeen's Budget Rolls On

Here we are, ready to head into August. The City Council is reviewing the City Manager's proposed budget and considering what is in and what is out for next year. Two public hearings have been scheduled during City Council meetings. Now, if people will just show up at the hearings and let the Council know what is important to them. Too often, citizens let these opportunities pass because they do not want to give up an evening to go to a Council Meeting or because they do not want to speak out publicly.

That is fine. If you do not want to go, write or call your Council member. Our Mayor can be seen out and about around town and at numerous events. Many Council members are members of local civic organizations. Stop them and let them know what matters to you, or jot it down on a piece of paper and hand it to them if you are uncomfortable talking to them. You can always email them; their email addresses are listed at http://www.ci.killeen.tx.us/CityOfficials/CityCouncil/citycouncil.html.

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The Campaign Signs Are in Bloom

For the past several weeks, many businesses, yards and vacant lots have been wearing this season's fashionable campaign signs. Used car dealers seem to prefer the fashion of the terse "Vote Corbin" signs, making one wonder if they support him as a pro-business candidate or because his firm represents their legal interests.

All of the other candidates have chosen somewhat more artistic signs, from the green swath that adorns Young's sign to the handlebar mustache on Reynold's. The signs cannot give a good reason for voting for any particular candidate, but they can tell you where the battle lines are being drawn. Reynolds, Latham and Gilmore signs appear with those for newcomer Otis Evans. Turo and Wilkerson have a very few signs about and those are usually in close proximity to Corbin signs. Rumor is that their campaigns are funded at least in part by Corbin. I suspect that may not be true, but if it is, he is not a very supportive backer for these two.

But back to the terse "Vote Corbin" signs. My question is: Vote Corbin for what? I would like to propose "Vote Corbin, Stop Progress" as the most accurate possibility for this. Or perhaps "Vote Corbin for Puppetmaster" for that is what he seems to be becoming. Corbin seems to have gotten his marionette strings out and started tying them on to the mayor. And we all know he has them on Wilkerson and Vale already. At this point, a vote for Corbin is the same as voting to give him control of the city council. And if Corbin remains but manages to oust Latham with his lapdog, Turo, then this city will suffer mightily.

Latham, Gilmore and Reynolds have always understood that the quality of life issues are a major part of what city services must be about. That means proper staffing of fire and police, but it also means good roads and traffic flow, parks, libraries, senior centers, and even golf courses. Yes, I know. The golf course is evil and costs the taxpayers a fortune. Not so! The golf course has operated at a profit much of the time, although last year obviously that could not be true due to rerouting of the courses and the remodeling of the Connell house into a golf facility, it seems to be headed to even bigger profits than before. It appears that we may indeed have the sort of course that people are more than willing to come from all over to play, and that means hotel/motel and restaurant revenue on top of the golf course revenue.

Many, many good things happened to Killeen during the watch of Gilmore, Reynolds and Latham. I hope to see some or all of them back during the next council term. But even if they are not there, I hope the voters will turn out in ample numbers to make it clear that the people of this city are choosing their council members instead of letting just a few voters control everything. An apathetic populace is the worst-case scenario Killeen could have.

The Demise of the Bell County Underground

Today those of us registered with on the Bell County Underground learned of its demise. In the email a mention is made about the the BCU team wanting to stand on principles but finding it too costly to continue doing so.

Why do I fear this means that political pressure was used to bring the end of the BCU? Am I reading too much into the comment? Is it really just the pure economics that lead the BCU team to disable their site?

No matter what the reason, I am sorry to see the BCU go. I invite all members of the BCU to post comments to my blogs, and when needed, I will post new blogs to open different threads of discussion. We need an open and honest forum where we can share and discuss what is happening in our local community without fear of retribution so I am offering this blog as that forum. Your comments are welcome whether or not they agree with mine for only through open, respectful debate can we build a stronger, better community for Killeen.

Let the blogging and commenting begin!