Minutes for Monday July 23, 2007

 Call to Order: Elvira Kidd

 Introduction of Citizen’s Present (22 citizens present)

 Review of Last Month’s Minutes: Joe Openshaw

 Minutes Approved

The Noise and Dilapidated Buildings Issues were postponed in hopes that Councilor Earl Cochran would make it to the meeting and share with us any developments.

The Pressing Issues of Animal Abuse and Dog Fighting were introduced with Clark Gaines, local veterinarian, distributing photos of abused animals that have gone through the Bessemer Animal Control Office and on to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society to be euthanized. Jacque Meyers, Executive Director of the GBHS spoke with us on the issue of dog fighting and animal abuse in Bessemer. She stated that drugs, prostitution, domestic violence and theft are all societal problems that can, more often than not, be found among those who participate in animal abuse. She shared with us that she had been in contact with both Reverend Eades of the Street and Sanitation Department, and head of Bessemer Animal control and Mayor May regarding the problems that exist within our animal control department and that they have been unwilling to address the problem. She stated that there was a report of an animal abuse situation in Bessemer today at 618- 8th Avenue.

Elvira Kidd asked the citizens present for suggestions. One of the suggestions was additional police substations. Elvira asked for a show of hands from the audience to determine if they agreed there was a problem with dog fighting and animal abuse in our area. Most every citizen raised their hand.

Councilor Earl Cochran and Camilo Fuller, the Mayor’s assistant arrived. The issue of the dilapidated apartment building on 19th street was brought up and Mr. Fuller stated that the owners of the building filed suit against the city when they began to tear it down and the city go caught up in a legal battle. He stated that this was why the building had not been torn down yet. Councilor Earl Cochran indicated that his is still working on getting this building torn down. He indicated that he had spoken with Chief Rutledge about the noise issue and that he was working on getting more equipment so that the police cars will be able to site those who are violating the noise ordinances.

A citizen brought up the issue of the RED ROCK and the drug deals that she has witnessed there. Roger Bressler, a local reporter, stated that the owner of the Sweet House which is located across the street from the RED ROCK had offered the police his property to set up a camera so that they could catch those who are making the alleged drug deals but that the owner never heard back from the police.

It was suggested that Chief Rutledge be invited to the next meeting so that we could speak with him about these issues. Another citizen suggested that we make sure we contact each Councilor and invite them to our NA meetings and perhaps we could rotate our meetings from one area to another. It was also suggested that we post our meeting at City Hall and even ask City Hall to host a BNA meeting there.

Elvira Kidd suggested that we organize an Animal Abuse Committee to follow up with Ms. Meyer’s suggestions as well as to make sure that something is done soon to remedy the problem of our animals being abused and engaged in fighting. The following individuals volunteered to serve on the Animal Abuse Committee: Laurie Leslie, Joe Openshaw, Rose Kelly, Earl Cochran and Betsy Rogers. Bill Hines from “The Foundry” and Don Kendrick from the Alabama Animal Control Association also volunteered to help the city with this problem. A Committee Meeting was scheduled for Thursday, July 26, 207 at 1901 Dartmouth Avenue.

Camilo Fuller agreed to take our issues regarding animal abuse to the mayor, and to meet with the animal abuse committee.

Citizens were reminded that the next BNA meeting would be Monday, August 6 at 7:00 at Broken Vessel Church.

Ms. Elvira Kidd closed the meeting in prayer.

Joe Openshaw, Secretary, with the help of Susan Lehman