The Goodman City Council decided not to make any changes to its existing animal control ordinance, upon a recommendation from the city's attorney.
Aldermen revisited the issue after resident Connie Letourneau, who raised issues with the ordinance two weeks ago, asked to be placed on the city council's agenda for this meeting.
On Tuesday night, Letourneau said she had problems with the existing animal control ordinance. She asked the city council to change or modify the ordinance because she believes it's ineffective.
She said no one registers his or her cat, so that part should be deleted. She also said police officers simply didn't have the time or the manpower to pick up dogs running loose. The dogs can't be picked up and put in police cars because they don't have cages for the animals. The dogs might also damage the equipment they have in their patrol cars, she said.
Attorney Duane Cooper, who was on hand for the meeting, said he didn't think any amendments needed to be made to the existing ordinance. The patrol officers have the "discretion to pick up animals" but, based on their hours, it makes it difficult to stretch officers in a certain amount of patrol time.
"We're doing the best we can," Cooper said.
City council members were not inclined to make any ordinance changes. Mayor Greg Richmond said city officials and police officers will keep an eye on the situation. "We will continue to do the best we can," Richmond said.
In other business, city council members discussed the possibility of an ordinance for pre-payment at Casey's in Goodman. The gas station and convenience store has had several drive-offs and have asked Police Chief Curt Drake to ask the city council to put into action a new ordinance, requiring all customers to pre-pay.
City council members did not like the idea of enacting such an ordinance, saying that Casey's should rectify the problem itself.
During reports, Drake said that two individuals wanted by other agencies were recently captured. The two were wanted for major drug activity, Drake said. The two are now in jail and out of Goodman, he said.
Emergency Management assistant director Keith Kohley, who also serves as an alderman, reported that Hurricane Gordon will be making its way inland. Anytime a hurricane comes across inland states, "it dumps copious amounts of rain," he said. Though the timeline is still fluctuating, the Goodman area could receive up to five inches of rain, possibly beginning Friday, he said.
General News on 09/06/2018