Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 4, 1993 TAG: 9312040192
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Usually, it involves controversy.
For example, in 1979 an audit was ordered by the SPCA board of directors following the suspension of the SPCA's executive director and kennel manager. It revealed $1,000 missing from accounts.
In 1981, the board's vice president and two other board members resignedin protest over the raffle of a house the SPCA had purchased and over misgivings about the way the organization was run. Two years later, the raffle was called off for lack of ticket sales.
In 1988, a woman filed a lawsuit against the SPCA when the organization put to death three puppies within minutes of her bringing them in. She had changed her mind and wanted to reclaim them. The SPCA settled the lawsuit for $1,500.
In 1989, Willaim Davis-Deck, then president of the board, committed suicide shortly after admitting he had embezzled money from the organization's shelter fund.
And two days ago, a group of SPCA members who were dissatisfied with board leadership failed in a board takeover attempt. Members - including board members - who opposed the group's efforts clashed strongly and loudly with those who backed the attempt at Thursday's annual board elections.
It is disharmony that frustrates some members, reflecting badly on an organization with a humane mission, they say. And they look to board leadership for answers - and with blame.
"There is no reflection of a sense of commitment to the animals; no sense of commitment to the staff," member Deirdre Martin said Thursday. "I would definitely prefer not to be on the evening news, not for fighting amongst ourselves."
A segment of the SPCA membership has been displeased with the board's direction, particularly that taken by newly re-elected board President Steve Davidson, said one member, who asked that her name not be used.
Concerned about the organization's financial deficit when he assumed the presidency last year, Davidson stepped up an effort to boost fees charged to the five localities the SPCA serves.
For several years, the board had been exploring increasing rates with a flat-fee contract that would raise the current amount paid by Roanoke by an estimated 40 percent; raise Roanoke County's by 20 percent to 25 percent; raise it an undetermined amount for Vinton; and provide "substantial savings" for Craig and Botetourt counties, Davidson said.
"We had the [Virginia] Tech School of Business do an informal study of services we perform and what it's costing us to provide services," Davidson said.
The study showed that the larger localities "were not paying us enough," he said. "As it is now, Botetourt and Craig are supporting Roanoke and Roanoke County."
Davidson said the board voted to negotiate for a fair arrangement with municipalities. The board approached Roanoke administrators with the proposal first because the SPCA provided the most services to the city.
The two parties have not come to terms on a new agreement, he said.
"We told them in the spring that we were no longer willing to work at this price and to pay us more money or quit," Davidson said. "We have been extending services, but at this point we are basically working without a contract."
George Snead, Roanoke's public safety director, said city administrators are evaluating the SPCA's proposal.
"The city is currently dealing with Mr. Davidson's letter," Snead said. "They provide a valuable service and we want to be fair to them."
Still, Davidson said he believes his letter fueled opposition among SPCA members.
In part, he is right, said Jacki Lucki, who lost her bid for board re-election Thursday. "We don't oppose readjusting fees. We are opposed to the manner - `pay up or get out in 90 days.' It was done in a threatening, intimidating manner."
Before the SPCA can proceed with future plans, the organization must operate at a profit or break-even point, Davidson said. A priority is building a new shelter, he said.
The SPCA shelter, on Eastern Avenue in Northeast Roanoke, was built in the 1950s in the flood plain. The flood of 1985 caused more than $200,000 in damage to the structure.
This spring, it had to be evacuated after heavy rains, Davidson said.
by CNB