Politicians make me sick. Corrupt jerks:
This from Akron, OH
Animal control director under fire
Summit County's newest director of animal control is being paid an average salary for qualifications that are considered below average.
Christine Congrove, the 23-year-old daughter of Ward 6 County Councilman Dan Congrove, was hired Feb. 27 for the $61,000-a-year position by Summit County Executive James B. McCarthy. McCarthy, who seven months ago named Christine Congrove executive assistant to the Summit County director of public safety at a salary of $38,000, said he hired her for her managerial skills.
``She fits our qualifications for the job,'' he said Wednesday, adding that the controversy over her hiring stems from her age and gender.
``Is it controversial to hire a young woman with skills and pay her a lot of money?'' McCarthy asked. ``I think Chrissy can make a difference there if she has a chance to succeed without outside interference. She deserves a chance.''
Congrove worked four years as secretary to fired Animal Control Director Glenn James. In her new job, she will supervise three deputy dog wardens and five pound keepers.
The county job description also requires the director to supervise scheduling and budgeting, develop a plan for enforcement of animal control laws and monitor licensing and public education programs.
Most animal control directors in counties of a comparable size make between $50,000 and $70,000 per year, said John Mays, director of the National Animal Control Association. ``Even those at the lower end of the scale typically have an educational background that includes animal science, animal control or maybe the Humane Society work.''
Many departments also require their supervisors to have a certification to deliver euthanasia drugs.
``Obviously, directors need to be familiar with the procedures they are asked to oversee,'' Mays said. ``It's hard to administer a program you have no experience with.''
Montgomery County, which includes Dayton, is currently searching for its own chief animal officer. County spokeswoman Laura Kursman said the job description requires an undergraduate degree in communications, management or public relations and five years' experience as supervisor of an animal control facility. The person must become a certified euthanasia technician within two years of being hired. The job pays between $56,000 and $85,000.
Cuyahoga County's chief dog warden makes $62,000. Their position calls for an associate's degree in business administration and three years of animal control experience.
Lucas County Chief Dog Warden Tom Skeldon has 19 years' experience in the Toledo-area facility, holds a degree in animal science from Ohio State University, is a certified euthanasia technician, a former zoo director and security dog trainer.
Congrove attended the University of Akron but did not graduate. She graduated from the police academy, is permitted to carry a firearm and will maintain her commission as a special deputy.
Skeldon said experience counts, but the quality of experience is important to consider.
If someone spends a few years at a shelter, then he or she has probably a pretty good idea of how the place was run, Skeldon noted. If it was run well, that's a good thing. If it wasn't run well, he said, maybe it's not a good thing.
``I don't know the person Summit hired,'' Skeldon said, ``so it wouldn't be fair for me to evaluate her experience.''
Critics of Congrove's hire have scheduled a protest for noon March 25 at the County Animal Shelter.
Pat Mihaly of the Heaven Can Wait Rescue Group said the improper treatment of animals that existed at the shelter when Congrove first worked there continues.
``She's just not qualified,'' Mihaly said. ``What little training she had came from a director who was fired.''
Congrove has been on the job just under two weeks. She said her goals include enforcing the existing policies and procedures of the shelter. She also is working to create a voucher program for spaying and neutering dogs and cats.
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