H.O.P.E. Holds Monthly Board Meeting, BIG READ GOING STRONG

IRONWOOD, MI - by Keri Singleton - Wednesday, March 24, 2010 - H.O.P.E. (Help Orphaned Pets Everywhere) held their monthly Board of Directors Meeting on Monday, March 22, 2010, at 5:30 P.M. at the Ironwood Public Safety Department, in Ironwood, Michigan.

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by Jim Salmi, President, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

A roll call sheet was passed around. Board Members Present: Jim Salmi, Edna Tatham, Bert Tatham, Dan Siirila, Sue Sikonia, and Tonja Sanders.

Staff Members Present: Randy Kirchhoff, Danielle Jarvenpaa, and Kathy Zumbrock.

A motion was made to elect Keri Singleton to the Board of Directors by Edna Tatham, and was supported; all in favor.

A motion was made to approve February 5, 2010 Minutes, supported; all in favor.

No Public Comments.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Sue Sikonia gave the Treasurer’s Report as Follows:

Checking: $20,827.90.

Spay and Neuter Account: $3,594.58.

Savings: $18, 644.42.

Approximately $85.00 in undeposited funds.

H.O.P.E. employs six people part time from between 16 hours a week up to 35 hours a week. The hours can vary.

A motion was made to accept the income and expense report, was supported, all in favor.

No Committee Reports.

Director’s Report

Randy Kirchhoff, Director, said the Carnegie Library Big Read Event, featuring Call of the Wild, has been well received. He and Lynn Worzinski from the Carnegie Library have visited area nursing homes and schools, as well as some Library activities, accompanied by dogs Timber and Polo, talking about the book, Call of the Wild. There are some activities between now and the end of the month, ending with Family Fun Night on Tuesday, March 30, at the Ironwood Memorial Building.

Cats Paulie and Cindy that tested positive for feline leukemia had been retested, and Paulie tested negative. He must be re-tested in three months. Paulie and Cindy came in together, and H.O.P.E. has a prospective forever home for them.

A 4-H Dog Club has been newly formed in Ironwood, led by Jeanine Santini. She has asked about the occasional use of the H.O.P.E. dog park.

Mr. Saari of Ramsey asked if H.O.P.E. would be supportive of a full-size dog park in the Ramsey area. A double gate system with fencing will be installed. It is in the beginning stages and has to go before Ramsey Planning Commission.

Sisu, the special needs puppy who was found abandoned in Wal-Mart parking lot, has been fitted with a prosthetic for her back right foot, by her new owners in Marquette. They have sent e-mail thanks with pictures to Betsy Jeske and Jonelle France, who lovingly fostered Sisu until she was adopted and went to her forever home. Thanks to Bev Nasi, who fostered a ten year old Toy Poodle until adoption.

A motion was made to accept the report and pay the bills, was supported, all in favor.

Old Business

Friday, March 26, there will be greeters at the Ironwood Theatre in anticipation of the showing of Call of The Wild. Family Fun Night at the Ironwood Memorial Building is Tuesday, March 30, 2010.

H.O.P.E. will have a booth next to the Carnegie Library at Family Fun Night and will have at least one dog in attendance.

Edna Tatham reported on Festival Ironwood. A Duck Pond will be set up and prizes given. Edna said she and Bert are willing to do most of the work. H.O.P.E. will be a drop off point for donations of prizes. Edna and Bert Tatham verified that prizes are donated and no money is involved for H.O.P.E., the involvement would be volunteer work; involving but not limited to: sorting prizes and organization as well as helping with all the background work. Letters will be going out from Festival Ironwood asking for donations. A motion was made by Sue Sikonia that H.O.P.E. be associated with the Duck Pond for the upcoming Festival Ironwood, and was supported, all in favor, motion carried.

The sign up sheet for volunteers for the upcoming Home Show is half completed, and will be completed by phone if necessary by Jim Salmi.

A motion was made by Sue Sikonia and seconded to move the monthly meeting for the H.O.P.E. Shelter Board be changed from the 3rd Monday of each month to the 4th Monday of each month. All in favor, motion carried.

New Business

Millage Renewal will be on the August Primary. There will be three Propositions, which are shown, not in completion:

Option 1: Proposition to again levy two-tenths (0.2) of one mill for the operation of the Gogebic County Animal Control Program for a period of four (4) years from 2010-2013 inclusive.

Option2: Proposition to levy two and one half-tenths (0.25) of one mil for the operation of the Gogebic County Animal Control Program for a period of four (4) years from 2010-2013 inclusive.

Option 3: Proposition to levy three-tenths (0.3) of one mill for the operation of the Gogebic County Animal Control Program for a period of four (4) years from 2010-2013 inclusive.

Option 1 is the current option. The amount of money received is shared with Animal Control, a fact not known by many, and awareness has to be raised. Much of the money the Shelter has is raised through donations and fundraising. Edna Tatham said that people are generally supportive regarding animals.

The issue of millage renewal was tabled until the next meeting.

No Public Comment.

Meeting Adjourned.