In regard to Joe Coletti’s My View column of March 12, “Big neighbor is watching you,” state law does allow liens and foreclosures by homeowners associations pursuant to state law G.S. 47F-3-116 as amended in 2005.

Fate of animals at stake

[Regarding the story in The Cary News March 19, “SPCA to stop taking Cary strays,”] the plan mentioned in this article is nothing new, according to Williams and Michalson, but they are leaving out many reasons as to why it did not materialize. It is not a simple matter of convenience; there are many issues here regarding animal welfare. I would not want my animal to be taken to the Wake County Shelter. Poor management, high euthanasia and use of the gas chamber in a nonrural setting is unacceptable. In addition, they do not do 100 percent pre-adopt spay/neuter. I hope people in the town of Cary will be fully informed about the reasons the partnership was never agreed to in 2004, and it is misleading to make it appear that it has been in the works since 2004.

The plan was rejected because of the conditions and practices at the Wake County Shelter. WCAS is taking extra animals with no expansion, untrained staff in lethal injection, etc. I hope everyone will go to the SPCA Web site and read the Citizen Advocate Center. Remember: the Wake County Animal Shelter uses the gas chamber. If they are overcrowded, just think about the fate of the animals.

Carol Smith, Raleigh

SPCA superior

Cary recently made the decision to stop taking animals to the SPCA of Wake County and instead utilize the Wake County Animal Shelter. As a resident of Cary, I am highly disturbed by this decision. I am also disturbed by Deputy Chief Barry Nickalson’s statement that “we are confident that the county’s treatment of their animals is going to meet what’s offered by the SPCA.” I would like to disagree.

The Wake County Shelter uses the gas chamber to euthanize some “aggressive” animals. Gas chambers are not humane. There are entire states that have banned the use of the gas chamber. Sadly, the SPCA also has to euthanize “aggressive” animals. They can do it without getting injured by animals and without the need for a gas chamber. What is wrong with Wake County that they can’t safely euthanize without the gas chamber? Wake County also does not spay/neuter 100 percent of its adopted animals. By releasing fertile animals into society, Wake County is contributing to the pet overpopulation problem instead of proactively trying to solve it. The SPCA spay/neuters 100 percent of their animals and is opening a spay/neuter clinic soon.

The Wake County Shelter also lacks a basic level of care. A current report issued by Wake County criticizes deficiencies in animal care and cleaning at the Wake County Shelter. There have also been two significant disease outbreaks at the Wake County Shelter for the past two summers, as well as a recent pneumonia outbreak. The SPCA has the staff and protocols in place to prevent disease outbreaks. The Wake County Shelter is in no way prepared to intake our animals. I know that the care received at the SPCA is far superior to what the Wake County Animal Shelter will offer to our Cary animals.

Christine Rahn, Cary

Animals will lose out

The decision to take Cary and Garner animals into the Wake County animal shelter instead of the SPCA seems very wrong.

The Wake County animal shelter is understaffed, provides poor animal care, doesn’t have a proper adoption program, doesn’t sterilize animals prior to adoption and still uses the gas chamber to euthanize a huge number of animals. More animals in their care means less chance for the animals to be adoped, resulting in more animals being euthanaized.

Before the shelter is entrusted with the fate of more animals, it needs to prove that it is able to do the job properly — like the SPCA has done for years. Dealing with our pet overpopulation problem humanely and with long-term effectiveness requires vision, programs and a lot of human effort. The Wake County animal shelter has not demonstrated that they have any of those things.

Routing Cary and Garner animals to the county shelter may save the towns a few dollars in administrative costs, but but we will be getting less for our money, and the animals will be less well served.

Gina Wilson, Cary

Vision for Morrisville

In a speech at the Chamber of Commerce, Morrisville’s Mayor promoted the commercial development of retail “big box” stores, offices, apartments and restaurants. I don’t believe that this vision is shared by the majority of residents. It is contrary to our town’s mission and vision statements, which is “dedicated to preserving quality of life and to preserve small-town values.” Also, it is not supported by Morrisville’s limited road, water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure.

Morrisville’s commercial development of 43 percent far exceeds surrounding neighborhoods: Cary 26 percent, Apex 18 percent, Raleigh 29 percent, Wake Forest 20 percent, and Holly Springs 9 percent.

With recent board approvals, rental apartments will soon exceed owner-occupied residences. Many perceive the board has “never finding a development it didn’t like.” Morrisville is only about 10 square miles. How many high-density commercial services, stores, offices and apartment buildings can we squeeze in? As Jackie Holcombe said in her letter last week, “This is not community building and it’s not acceptable.” Morrisville’s great appeal is primarily as a residential community of attractive one-family homes in highly desirable neighborhoods. Within minutes, we provide access to all services. We are in close proximity to major employment centers, prime recreational facilities and key transportation hubs and arteries. Our residents in owner-occupied homes provide a vital and sizeable tax base. Maintaining and enhancing Morrisville as a prime residential community is the “vision” we should be seeking.

Stephen A. Diehl, Morrisville

Weiss on fence

For years, our local representative to the State House, Jennifer Weiss, has run unopposed. Besides putting out political road signs every couple of years, what has Rep. Weiss actually done for the citizens of western Wake?

Currently, there is a countywide grassroots effort to improve our schools. The current system of electing school board members ensures that control of the school board remains with Raleigh politicians and elites. Many of us believe that if the school board members were elected “at-large” like our county commissioners, that the school board would finally be responsive to everyone’s needs, instead of what is good for Raleigh; the “Haves” as Sen. John Edwards would say.

At this point in time, Rep. Weiss is on the fence on this very important issue for taxpayers and children. Please take a moment and e-mail her at Jen niferw@ncleg.net or call at 677-1254. Let her know that you are tired of being a “have not” when it comes to major school issues and a billion dollar- plus school budget.

Mike Dodson, Cary