RB resident concerned about strays
RED BAY – At Monday night’s meeting of the Red Bay City Council, concerned citizen Tammy Pendergraph addressed the council concerning the issue of stray dogs in the area.
According to Pendergraph, the issue has gotten out of hand in the neighborhood she lives in.
“The people on my street cannot even walk without a dog approaching us and some of them are aggressive,” she said. “We have small children and elderly people that live on our street and I know one lady who is scared to go to her mailbox because she’s afraid she’ll be attacked.”
Pendergraph went on to describe the dogs she knew had exhibited aggressive behavior and asked the council and Mayor Bobby Forsythe for their help.
Forsythe advised Pendergraph that there is a leash law ordinance in the city of Red Bay and the different city departments do all they can to enforce that ordinance.
“Anyone that has a problem with stray dogs can contact they city and we will bring a cage to your house,” Forsythe said. “Once the stray animal is caught, a city employee will come pick it up and take it to the pound.”
Forsythe added the city council will plan to revisit the policy the city currently has in place for dealing with stray animals.
“We will be glad to help any resident who is having trouble with strays in their area and I know the police department will be able to help if the situation occurs after hours.”
In other business, the city council addressed the following issues:
• The council approved the purchase of a zero-turn mower to be used by the Park and Recreation Department to maintain the baseball fields. The money will be purchased with 2009 capital improvement funds. Park and Recreation Director Joey Allen said that in order for Red Bay to be a viable market for athletic tournaments, each facility must be well maintained.
• The council appointed Chuck Cashion and Jeff Clark to fill the two vacant six-year terms on the Industrial Development Board.
• The council will take bids to handle the general fund certificate of deposit in the amount of $63,788.72 that is up for renewal. CB&S Bank no longer handles municipal certificates of deposit.
• Red Bay Police Department dispatcher Lynn Goss was moved to full-time status with the department.
• The council hired Demp Garrison as a part-time, temporary, at-will, landfill scale operator at the NACOLG pay rate.
• Jacqueline Parsons was appointed to fill the vacant spot on the Scope 310 Board left by the resignation of Carly Hellums. The term will expire September 2012.
• The mayor issued proclamation 11-01-03 declaring Jan. 13, 2011, as “Mrs. Elvie Rollins Day” in the city of Red Bay in honor of her 101st birthday.
• The council approved school expenditures for the eight and third grade reading special needs classes to purchase workbooks to supplement their reading materials.
• The council approved a police roadblock on Jan. 29 to benefit We Care, a food-based assistance program operated through First Baptist Church of Red Bay. Sen. Roger Bedford, city attorney, pledged to match the first thousand dollars the citizens raise that day.
