By VICKI URBANIK

Tensions between those on opposing sides of how the Porter County Animal Shelter should operate erupted once again on Tuesday, when the county commissioners refused to field questions from critics about preliminary plans for a shelter expansion.

Shortly after the commissioners took up the matter of approving a notice to seek bids for a new shelter building, former shelter volunteer Delbert “Frank” Hershberger began raising questions.

Hershberger was recently arrested on a charge of trespassing when, according to the police report, he refused to leave the shelter after becoming verbally abusive. He has since protested outside of the County Administration Center, maintaining that ever since the commissioners took over the shelter, the conditions have worsened.

Hershberger asked the commissioners if the new building proposed represents a replacement of the current animal shelter. He also suggested that the shelter could be relocated at the nearby Porter County Juvenile Services Center, where, he said, there might be the staffing to take care of the facility.

Porter County Commissioner President Robert Harper then cut off Hershberger, saying that the commissioners at this time weren’t seeking public comment or questions.

“When can we comment?” Hershberger asked.

Harper responded by noting that Hershberger asked to be on the commissioners’ agenda, and that he and other animal shelter critics will get to air their concerns at the next meeting, August 19.

But Hershberger and another audience member objected to being cut off from asking questions about the proposed building. Hershberger continued to ask questions, such as whether the facility would have a bathroom.

Harper said the commissioners have to follow procedures. Just like other bodies, such as the Indiana Legislature, he said the commissioners have a process in place for allowing public comment but they can’t allow people to speak out whenever they feel like it. If they did, he said, they wouldn’t accomplish anything.

Harper said that he won’t change the rules of how the commissioners operate.

North Porter County Commissioner John Evans agreed, saying that ever since he’s been the commissioner, they have followed the same procedure of allowing people to address the board if they ask to get on the agenda.

Evans also pointed out that the issue at hand on Tuesday – approval of a notice to seek proposals for a new building – represents only the first step of seeking proposals, not actually approving any project.

The discussion was brought to an end, when the commissioners unanimously agreed to seek the bids.

Last week, Harper described the proposed building project as a pole-barn building of about 1,200 square feet that would provide additional space, particularly for dogs. He said the current shelter doesn’t have enough space for dog bedding or blankets. The project is expected to be funded through county income tax funds.

The back-and-forth aired Tuesday stems from the commissioners’ decision in May to disband the Animal Welfare Board in the wake of an animal abuse case involving a former animal board member and the resignations of two consecutive shelter directors.

Among the three commissioners, Harper has been the most outspoken about the shelter, as he has advocated moving toward reduced euthanizations and increased adoptions. But the concept of a no-kill shelter has prompted objections from others, including former members of the animal welfare board, who say the shelter is getting crowded and creating inhumane conditions for the animals.

Posted 8/6/2008