I have retyped my PMF that I was given my last day of employment (July 29, 2004). I have typed in the 'Job or Individual Responsibility' title and their descriptions, followed by the Director's additional comments. I am assuming that due to her signature on this document, she is the one that added the comments.
On my separation paper that was mailed, AP Director Mary Greene marked "Other" as reason for separation - with no additional comments. It would have been ok with me had she scribbled in "Employee decided she did not want to be affiliated with a state agency that appeared to care less about the welfare of animals."
My dear Mary Greene;
I'm sure Vanessa told you that when her and Ray arrived in Summerville that day, that I had my state car completely cleaned out of my personal things and handed the keys over as soon as they got out of their car. Vanessa asked me if I had an idea why they were coming there to meet me. As I told her, no, I didn't, and I didn't care why. All I knew was that I was through with the Department of "License Fees". She encouraged me to write my comments on her copy of my Pmf. But as I told Venessa, I would address it later but not at that time. I told her that if I offered any rebuttle then, it might be construed as my wanting to keep my job. And as I said to Venessa, I no long wanted my job with the Animal Protection Division. To be honest, I was thoroughly embarrassed that I was employed with this agency at all.
I told Venessa and Ray both, that I didn't want to work for a department that claimed to be looking out for the welfare of the animals when it seemed they were more about the license fees and money than the animal's welfare. Vanessa said this wasn't true - so I reminded her of the first Macon meeting I attended when she had told all of the inspectors, "Don't forget, GTM". And how I had asked Mike Lurey what that stood for, and he told me - "Get The Money". I told her that yes, it was all about the money and that is something I never wanted to be a part of. That comment during the Macon meeting should have been my first red flag about the priorities of this state agency.
"GTM" = Get The Money
And to Ray, I told him that he single handedly, let the people in Chattooga County down by refusing to lift a finger to resolve their horrific situation. His decisions made not only me, but the entire Animal Protection Division look like a bunch of idiots. More important, it made people look at this state department as one that appeared to have cared less about animals, in any capacity. But I do know that, at least, some people, including myself, realized just what the Animal Protection Division will and won't do. Not 'can or can't do - but will or won't.
Your decision, Ms. Greene, in trying to terminate me, was clearly your attempt to resolve situations that had arisen, not because of my unprofessionalism, that honor would go to your Field Supervisor, Ray Deluca, hands down. These situations, such as Noah's Ark, Summerville Animal Control, Murray County, etc., sit squarely on your Field Supervisor's shoulders. I walked into these, as he called them, "problem establishments", and then attempted to bring them into compliance. They weren't used to someone actually holding them accountable for their violations, and yeah, they were pissed.
But instead of addressing the real problem(s), you apparently decided if you got rid of me, the problems with these establishments, and licensees, would disappear. My opinion? - as long as Ray Deluca is employed with the Animal Protection Division, you are going to have problems. Not licensee problems, but 'new inspector' problems. When you hire an inspector that actually cares about their job, like I did, and they begin to see what is really going on at these places, and more important, what these licensees have been allowed to get away with, like I did, , your problems, with inspectors will continue.
I'm sure you remember what Venessa said to him during the Murray County meeting in your office, when she told him that the problems at Murray County should have been handled long before I was ever hired". She couldn't have said it better.
I sincerely regret that I had the misfortune of being trained by Ray Deluca. I feel he basically let these problem establishments go for so long, that once I came along and attempted to straighten them out, you would have thought I had offended their mothers. I loved my job, Mary - if you remember, I took a four thousand dollar paycut just so I could take my position. But when it came to the point where a licensee put their hands on me, and you, Ray, nor anyone in the Doa, chose to not lift a finger to defend me or to handle that situation - I knew it was time for me to go.
I, at least, can hold my head up at the job I did, and the things that I managed to accomplish in my eight months of employment. I can, also, lay my head down at night knowing that I did my best, and what was expected of me. At least according to the Animal Protection Division's job description. That is more than I can say for Ray Deluca.
So, here, Ms. Greene, some three years later, is my response to your evaluation of me, in it's entirety, typed word for word, along with my response to each of your comments.
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1. Maintains thorough knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, guidelines and inspection procedures. (Met: Lisa has become accustomed to the laws and rules and regulations. She is also aware of the proper inspection procedures. She has attended animal cruelty and euthanasia training classes.
Ah, yes, I did become "accustomed" to the laws, rules and regulations, and was very much aware of the proper inspection procedures. It would have been nice had my supervisor been "accustomed" to them as well.
2. Conducts pre license inspections on new establishments. (Met: Lisa performs pre license inspections in a timely manner. She is able to explain the rules and regulations to the clients and helps to set up a proper record keeping process. Applications are properly filed with appropriate fees.)
I'm not certain why I was even trained to explain the rules and regulations - it seemed to me to be a waste of time to "explain" these rules to some of the Doa's establishments. And it didn't seem that my supervisor worried too much about following them anyway.
3. Inspects pet dealers, kennels, bird dealers, and animal shelters to ensure compliance with Animal Protection Act, Bird Dealers Licensing Act, Animal Protection Rules and Regulations. (Met: Lisa has inspected many of her facilities since her arrival. She has worked on various problem facilities alone as well as with other inspectors with both unlicensed and licensed facilities. She is aware of proper methods of euthanasia.
"Problem" facilities - hell, you could have at least named them. These "problem" facilities would be the ones that weren't too happy with my holding them accountable for their inhumane behaviors. And instead of addressing this, you thought if you got rid of me, these "problem" facilities could easily be swept under the rug.
4. Investigates complaints on establishments and, wherever possible, assists local authorities with complaints on pet animals. (Met: Lisa works complaints in a timely manner, files the reports and assists local authority when needed. Sometimes she fails to distinguish between what complaints pertain to this office or local authority.
If you are talking about the Cherokee County property where the animals were abandoned, I "distinguished" that it was Animal Control's jurisdiction, and contacted Cherokee County Animal Control. However, those newborn puppies that were left out in the rain, especially the two that died, probably didn't care whose jurisdiction it was.
5. Issues quarantines and stop sale/use/movement orders. (Met: Lisa issues proper quarantines as well as stop movement orders as required by this office. She re inspects on a timely manner.)
I remember one I issued on a grooming shop in Marietta - I was asked to drive up there because their normal inspector was out of the area that day. When I got there, it was a filthy mess. And signs that she was either breeding in the shop, or breeding somewhere else and housing the puppies in her grooming shop. Piles of dirty clothes heaped up in the corners of the shop, all sorts of debris strewn around the premise, and all of the shop's enclosures were wooden, and extremely unsanitary with dirty, urine soaked, and feces strewn, towels inside.
I asked for, and received authorization, from Ray, to issue a Stop Sale/Stop Movement, until she cleaned and sanitized her establishment.
The woman had a lot of work to do before the Stop Order/Stop Movement could be lifted. But lo' and behold, the very next morning, I get a call from my supervisor asking if the order could be lifted. He said that the licensee had came down to the Atlanta office to, what else, but complain, about my having put such an order on her grooming shop. He said that she told him she had cleaned the place really good and needed to resume her business, and promised to keep it cleaned in the future.
I explained to my supervisor that with the shape her grooming shop was in, there was no way she could have cleaned it up even close to being sanitary for housed animals. He said he would drive up and view her shop later but wanted to run it by me before he lifted the order. I told him that he was the supervisor. I also told him that I had put the order in place for a reason, but he was the supervisor and he could make the decision.
He lifted the order and she was able to resume her business.
So yes, Mary, I was fully aware of how to issue such orders. But, again, what good did it do for me to know how if all that had to happen was for the licensee to whine to Ray until they got their way.
6. Monitors special sales, shows and events. (Met: Lisa has worked bird shows and monitored flea markets. She knows how to check for CVI's, look for clinical signs of illness, verify license for both in and out of state dealers, and check records.)
I have no clue as to what a "CVI" is, but according to you, I know how to check for ''em. Or it. Them? (shrugging)
7. Completes administrative reports in a timely manner. (Did Not Meet: All time reports through June have arrived to the office on time, but we have not received any inspection reports, time sheets or itinerary reports for the past two weeks. A recap report has not been received for the past three months. Car repair estimate has not been received after requests have been made the past 3 weeks. )
It should be noted that my supervisor was aware that I was relocating to another county during this alleged 'two week' period. I also was still in the process on handling the Chattooga County situation, trying to find time to get my state car dropped off at three different locations for body repair estimates which my supervisor, at no time, mentioned to me there was any sort of 'time limit' to get this done, in fact told me that there was no rush, the car was driveable, just get to when I could. How urgent is a fender bender?
I did manage to get the car to two shops for estimates. And I am just betting that you, Ms. Director, couldn't have juggled half of what I was having to at that time. But no, no one "requested" for three weeks for me to get the repair estimate. That, my dear, is a load of agricultural bullshit. No pun intended. No wait, yes the pun *was* intended. (rolling eyes)
I was also in the process of assisting Chattooga County Animal Control's new management to get their facility in compliance, as well as the situation in Cherokee County regarding the property owner who left seven newborn puppies out in the cold rain and mud, and two of the puppies ended up dying. And then the ongoing situation with Chattooga County's twenty or so citizens apparently being terrorized by a Fatal Plus needle toting basket case......... oh, and throw in that I was also moving 80 miles away, and well, I'm sure you get the point.
Excuses? No. Reasons? Yes.
8. Maintains a consistent, high quality, customer focused orientation when conducting business and providing services to licensed establishments, the general public, and other external customers. (Did Not Meet: Lisa has had some problems maintaining a professional demeanor at a few licensed locations with owners, managers and a veterinarian. She has met with management to resolve these problems, but some still continue.)
You must be referring to the Cumming pet store and their rather opinionated daughter who verbally went off on me for inquiring about the sick chihuahua puppy? The same puppy who later died? Oh yep, just like the Chattooga County licensee, she was livid that I was "harassing" them too.
Ray must have really let these licensees do what they wanted for a very long time for all of the "problem" establishments to be so hostile towards my attempting to hold them accountable for their inhumane treatment of animals. And your "some still continue" comment - lol damn, Mary - situations with these "problem establishments" are always going to continue until you start holding your Field Supervisor more accountable. You, as well as I, know that these problem establishments have been allowed to rack up violation after violation, year after year.
And "She has met with management to resolve these problems, but some still continue"? The meetings I had with you involved Murray County Animal Shelter, Noah's Ark Pet Store, and Summerville Animal Control together with Lookout Mountain Animal Resources, Inc. The more I tried to straighten out these messes, yes, the more they 'continued'.
I think your expectations of me was to do exactly what had been done for so long prior to my being hired - visit the establishment, fill out the inspection report marking pass, pass, pass, and be on my way to the next establishment. The residents of Ga, especially the pet guardians that depend on your department to actually "protect" the housed animals in Georgia, expect much more from a state department that claims to be in place for the protection of the animals.
Prior to becoming employed with the Doa, I knew nothing about how the Doa, as well as the USDA, operates. No one tipped me off that it wasn't about the quality of the animals, but rather the quantity.
9. Interacts with all levels of government in a way that promotes respect. Encourages cooperation and contributes to excellent performance. (Did Not Meet: Lisa has worked with local enforcement in a professional manner, and has filed accurate information. However, Lisa has not accepted some of the feedback and direction conveyed to her. She sometimes fails to differentiate between what we can and can not regulate which leads to mistakes that causes similar occurrrences.)
If you are referring to "feedback" from your field supervisor, you are 100% correct on my not accepting 'some of his feedback'. After I realized what was really going on, it was probably closer to accepting "none of his feedback". In light of some of the things I saw him do, and heard him say, not to mention things some of the licensees told me, he doesn't have any business anywhere around animal welfare.
And "can and can't"? Don't you mean "will and won't"?
Ok, if the inspector's responsibility is to 'enforce' the Animal Protection Act, then let's look at the Animal Protection Act a tad closer: According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture Animal Protection Act, Section 40-13-13.1 Definitions -
29) "Proper animal health care" means a program of disease control and prevention, veterinary care, (Read those words real slow........V-E-T-E-R-I-N-A-R-I-A-N C-A-R-E) and humane euthanasia. The animal health care should be sufficient to prevent unnecessary physical pain or suffering.
Now, Mary, ask your Field Supervisor , why the chihuahua puppy died from pneumonia? Let him tell *you* how "the way the law's worded, it doesn't adequately define sufficient care"
I still sit and shake my head because of what happened to that puppy - I am almost certain that that puppy suffered due to having, and dying from, pneumonia.Did you want me to hug the pet store owner's neck for that little puppy eventually dying from a treatable disease? Would that be the "professional" behavior that you would have preferred me to display?
Would you rather I have turned my head on the alleged crimes being committed involving animal cruelty in Chattooga County? Talk to Amy and Rusty Maddox, owner of 'Jack', a three legged family dog, that was euthanized because this licensee allegedly made the decision that a dog should have four legs, not three.
And professionalism? Let me assure you on one thing, I am extremely professional in my career workday.
When I was physically attacked by your Chattooga County licensee, for daring to inspect her establishment, had I not chosen to be "professional" I would have physically defended myself and it would have been uglier than it was. I handled the situation as most any other "professional" non-violent person would, by contacting the local authorities, and filing an incident report for her physical attack against me. And what is really sad, is the Chattooga County Deputy showed a hell of a lot more concern over my safety than the Doa did.
I did hear, after I left the Doa, that on the new inspector's establishment printout, someone had at least been nice enough to her to write in a warning by this licensee's establishment listing. Alerting her that she should not visit her establishment alone, to make sure she took another inspector with her. That alone proves you knew damned well it wasn't 'me' being unprofessional, or using "poor judgement". Not when someone there took the time to alert the new inspector of the same assaultive risk.
I understand that the new inspector is no longer with the Doa. I am very anxious to speak with her - I think her and I can share some interesting stories. And so I hear, at least right before Christmas, your inspector count was down to only 7. Wow.
Just a little fyi, Mary - the people that the Animal Protection Inspector position attracts are usually 'animal lovers' for lack of a better term. But once they are hired and they see what is being allowed to take place within some of these establishments, they aren't going to stick around for very long.
I remember you telling me one time that you thought I should have been an 'activist'. That's ok, because I think your department should start doing your jobs. As far as your 'activism' comment - I'm far from an activist - I was just an employee who, at the time I was hired, thought the Doa Animal Protection Division rocked the world. It took me only 8 months to realize just how wrong I had been. I guess it took the new inspector a little bit longer.
But since the term "professional", or "non" professional rather, came up in my PMF, maybe you should focus more on your Field Supervisor's "lack of professionalism" during the workday. Like his many stops, during my training, in his state car, at numerous antique shops and thrift stores all over north Georgia. Would you have wanted me to use my state car to go shopping for an hour here and an hour there during my work day - so that I too, could have appeared "professional" like him?
And, although I am sure he 'will choose not to remember this one either, ask him about the day I was with him when he stopped in at Fantasy Pets in Walker county, in his state car. He bought a box of rats for his pet snake at home, and put the box in the trunk of the car for the almost two hour ride home. When I said something to him, he laughed, saying "They're going to die anyhow".
Ask him about the day we all went to Lookout Mountain Animal Resource to question the licensee (who later physically assaulted me) regarding cruelty allegations - ask him about him giving the 'body incinerator' sales pitch to the very person we were there to investigate. Ask him about telling her how she should think about purchasing such a contraption, so that she could burn all of the euthanized bodies, sell the ashes for ferilizer and make lots of money.
Ask your Field Supervisor about those situations, and then, Mary, you can talk to me about professionalism. I conducted myself in a professional manner in spite OF my supervisor's poor choices and unethical behavior.
9 Assists local goverment, GEMA and FEMA with disaster and emergency management situations. (Met)
I never assisted Gema, nor Fema, and the only disaster I can recall being involved in would be my employment with your department.
10. Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust and group identity; fosters committment and team spirit; works cooperatvively with others to achieve goals. (Did Not Meet: Sometimes she has shown a non professional manner towards others. She has not accepted feedback from management which has caused conflicts and reoccurrences of problems.
A non professional manner towards others?
No ma'am, you are wrong on the non-professionalism. I conducted myself in an extremely professional manner. These licensees didn't appreciate my writing them out violations, i.e. holding them accountable for the poor treatment of their housed animals, is what the problem was.
Was there some sort of Doa guideline I missed, stating I was to ensure the licensee's happiness?
It seems that these licensees realized that all they needed to do was call you, or Ray, whine a bit about how their inspector was "harassing" them, and they would get their way. Sort of akin to the inmates running the asylum wouldn't you say? I can't really lay total blame on these licensees though - after the last inspector they had, I must have looked like Hitler himself.
11. Customer Service: Works and communicates with the general publc, internal customers, and/or external customers to provide information and quality services and/or products targeted to meet customer expectations. (Did Not Meet: She treats the majority of her customers with full respect. Some have conveyed their approval of her demeanor. However, there have been a few instances, with our licensed facilities, where she has failed to use good judgement. The instances have led to phone call and letter complaints, as well as management meetings.
Again, I treated all 'licensees with respect, even ones that pitched fits, or cursed me as I wrote them out violations. I can't tell you how many times I heard "Well, the other guy, the one with the funny name, he never said anything about this". I got so very tired of hearing that from these "problem establishments". My writing these licensees violations did not mean that they were not treated with respect.
And failure to use good judgement'. Exactly what judgement did I fail on?
Was it perhaps that when I observed animal neglect or cruelty that I spoke up? Would that be the 'failure to use good judgement' you are referring to? If so, then maybe it's time for *you* to reexamine how *you*, and the Doa, rate criteria for inhumane conditions.
Or better worded, maybe it's time for the Animal Protection Division to come off the swivel chairs long enough to actually do their jobs.
Yes ma'am, I do organize and maintain my records, current as well as past, quite well. I'm also real handy at making copies of documents I feel might be important at a later date.
As far as your 'do what she thinks is best for the animals' comment: I didn't do what "I" felt was best for the animals, or most of them wouldn't have been in the hell holes they were in to begin with. I did what your department set forth as my job requirements. You know, those things you refer to as "state guidelines"?
13. Works When Scheduled: Met
14. Requests and Uses Leave Appropriately: Met
15. Dresses Appropriately: Met
16. Observes Health, Safety and Sanitation Policies: Met
17. Follows All Other Rules and Regulations: (Did Not Meet: Lisa has not acted in a professional manner to all of her licensed facilities; not performed according to state policy and guidelines during working and non working hours.
When you refer to 'non working hours' you would be referring to my visit to the pet store where I had observed the little chihuahua. I was not on the state's time, in the state vehicle nor did I represent the state in any shape,form or fashion. And due to the "deer in the headlights" look on the pet store ower's face when I first walked in, I quickly told them that I was not there on offiical business, I was off that day, and only wanted to come by and check on the sick puppy.
In my conversation with the pet store owners, as well as their daughter, during her rant, I was never, at any time, "unprofessional" .
The situation where the 'phone call and letter' complaints I have already addressed. But would also add that during my investigation of the 'situation' in Chattooga County, yes, my supervisor let me know each time that this licensee called the office to complain about my "harassing" them by attempting to inspect them and respond to complaints from concerned citizens and pet owners. Kinda funny that it was only the "problem establishments" that complained.
I ended up filing an incident report (Chattooga County Sheriff's Dept Case Number 04060074) against one of your licensees, for putting her hands on me in an assaultive manner while attempting to inspect her establishment. I drove down to Atlanta and placed the incident report directly on your desk, and asked you what was going to be done. You told me to 'give it time', to 'let things calm down a bit' and Ray (lol lotta good that would do) would go up there and straighten things out.
40-13-13-.03 Inspection of Premises. The Commissioner or his designated agents are authorized to enter upon any public or private property at anytime for the purpose of inspecting the business premises of any animal shelter, kennel, pet dealer, or stable and the pets housed at such facility and to determine if such facility is licensed and for the purpose of enforcing the Georgia Animal Protection Act and rules of this chapter.
And this licensee later went on to be charged of a felony animal cruelty charge just three months after I left the department. In February of 2005, she was convicted under a plea agreement to just two misdemeanors and is was placed on a two year probation.
My question, Mary Greene, is - didja revoke her license after her conviction? And why didn't you?
Maybe, just maybe, Mary, you should have looked towards the inspector that I replaced, your field supervisor, as as to why you think I was ever "unprofessional". In my opinion, these establishments had already been allowed to go too long racking up violation after violation for way too many years. And if any licensees got their feelings hurt, or were offended, by my issuing violations, then I could care less. I wasn't in my position to make the licensees happy, I was, or at least I thought, in my position to ensure the animals were being housed, and treated, humanely.
In closing, Ms. Greene, let me say this - I have time for alot of things but being friendly to someone that is neglecting or being inhumane to an animal is not on my list. Professional, yes, Friendly? No. The Animal Protection Division, I thought, was in the "business" of protecting animals, not ensuring that the licensees stay happy.
It is my suggestion, to you, that you strongly consider the removal of the word "Protection" from your department's title - it is extremely misleading.
As far as the separation papers I received in the mail - the reason for separation that you chose was '0400 No further information", under "Discharged".
The correct code would be 0302, 0332, ESPECIALLY 0334, and 0335. At no time did Venessa, or Ray, terminate me, or even mention the word 'terminate'. They didn't have to - I told them I was done as soon as they got out of their car that day.
No termination papers were given to me that day, no one verbally terminated me, just my PMF form, complete with your, rather, asinine comments added. And at that time, on that day, I didn't even want to argue the specifics - I just wanted out, ever how I had to do it. I had reached the point where I simply did not care to be associated with the entire Georgia Animal Protection "Act" any longer.
On the separation choices on the form, it lists pretty much all of the big words, above, that you included in my PMF. 'Poor judgement', 'Unprofessionalism'............ they were there for the choosing - so why did you leave it at "No further information"? IF these reasons were truly your opinion of my job performance.
And the date 'to' I worked is incorrect as well. My "departure" date was July 29, 2004 - not August 1, 2004. You would think a state agency could do a better job at proper record keeping. But after reading Russell Hinton's State Audit report, I guess it's par for the course. Even his staff commented on your department's poor recordkeeping. Or as the report worded it, numerous reports could not be "located". And yes, during my employment, an office employee of yours pulled me to the side to tell me that if there were any reports that I thought might be important later, and wanted to be able to "locate" them if I needed, I should hide them somewhere in the office, or make copies of them. I asked her why. She told me that you and your Office Manager have a habit of shredding things that you don't want getting out.
And 'you', Mary Greene, have the audacity to question MY professionalism?
According to the state guidelines, you were supposed to have written in a reason, in detail, for my separation. You failed to follow this state guideline. I'm assuming you left that part out because you didn't want people knowing the real reason. But it's ok - you can tell people you fired me.
To be fired from a department for not doing my job, as an Animal Protection Inspector, in the slack way that apparently was expected of me, is the most sincerest of compliments.
or women.
Towanda, my dear, Towanda.
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