7-22-2006: As a public service, I had the New Mexico Animal Control Forum set up for easy access – the archives were open to anyone and no approval was needed to join the Forum.  I wanted to give easy access to the FILES section of the list.  Unfortunately, for a short time (starting last week) I closed the archives – Councilor Mayer was taking information out of context and using it for personal attacks.  At the debate on Monday, Councilor Mayer attacked me for closing the Forum.  She had tried to look at the archives before coming to the debate.  I couldn’t help but smile.

Last week an email about the Albuquerque City website was purposely deleted from the Forum’s archives.  I didn’t want to give Councilor Mayer any ideas that we were looking at key information that is available from the city.  Just look at the Albuquerque budget for animal services.  There are some excellent numbers that can be used to press the attack on HEART – and they are the city’s own numbers.  I used some of them during the debate on Monday, and Sally was clueless.  She tried to deny them.  We need to get all of our eyes on those numbers and discuss them.

Also, on the Albuquerque website, look at the campaign reporting.  Pay specific attention to the 2005 reports for Mayer and for APV.  It will become apparent who bought and paid for HEART.  Then look at HEART and see what groups will profit from the sale of animals from the shelter.  This is big business.  As I recall, a director of an animal group in Denver is paid well over $250,000 a year.  Check out Charity Navigator. 

Finally, I ran some numbers on the cost to the city for the free microchipping and free spay-neuter that will be made available (under HEART) to low and moderate income persons.  During the debate, Sally denied that this would be “free,” but contrary to her objections, those words are in HEART.  If full compliance is achieved within the first six months, as called for in HEART, the “free” offering would cost the city the equivalent of $12 million in services.  The additional permit fees from HEART that are intended to “cover” those costs, amount to only $220,000.  What a disconnect.

Tonight, I have reopened the archives to members only, and approval will be needed to join the list.  These steps will only slow access to the list, so just be aware that whatever is said on the list could find its way to others.  I do not want to control discussion on the list and I do not have time to do that.  So, except in extreme situations, this list will continue to be unmoderated.  Have at it.

Legal action may be started next week on my challenge to the improper publication of the HEART ordinance by the city.  Also, everyone needs to know that I did NOT deliver any petitions to the City Clerk.  She called me before lunch on Thursday asking if I would be delivering petitions.  I told her that no petitions were coming, but I would instead hand-deliver a letter challenging the publication process and asking for an extension of the deadline. 

Some time before I arrived at the clerk’s office, a volunteer dropped off a few signatures.  He couldn’t get the petitions to me, and wanted to make sure that the final three signatures he had just gotten were added to the count.  So he took them directly to the clerk’s office.  I asked for them, but the clerk would not give them to me.

Now, compare what really happened with the spin given to the situation by the Journal reporter.  All of the facts were available to him from the city clerk.  At this point, I no longer consider the Journal to be a credible news source.  Other media sources have picked up on the story.

On Thursday, I had thousands of signatures, but we were well under the required 17,458.  Because of the numerous unsubstantiated reports about retaliation by the city, I did not want to put anyone at risk by making those petitions part of the public record.  The petitions belong to us and will remain so until formally submitted.  The information on those petitions is for our use only.  A lot of us worked long, hard hours to get them.

Because of all that hard work, we are well positioned to initiate a second petition drive aimed at a “Direct Legislation” remedy to Rescind HEART.  That drive allows 60 days (as compared to the 35 days we’ve had), and can be started on our scheduled – when we are ready, rather than an arbitrary start date.  More to follow.

Ronald A. Gustafson
Chairman, Rescind HEART
Founder, New Mexico Animal Control Forum
“Rational Thinking on Animal Control Issues for New Mexico”

7-5-2006: This is a brief report to share the status of the Rescind HEART petition drive that is underway in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The HEART animal control ordinance does a disservice to the animals and to the people of Albuquerque.

It reflects government intrusion at its worst and was written by Animal Rights activists with little practical knowledge of animal care nor an understanding of the important role that animals play in the lives of the people of Albuquerque. HEART was passed by the City Council and signed by the Mayor. The only "public hearing" held by the City Council limited comments to 90-seconds. That was after 3 years of work by the special interests. The City Council did NOT refer HEART to a committee where the public could have participated. But shoved it through and ignored the public. The special interests were successful in pushing their agenda and limiting public input.

Last year at a public meeting, Councilor Mayer (the sponsor of HEART) bragged about how she would push the ordinance through the City Council.
She did it. Now it is time for us to push back.

The City Charter offers one final step to stop HEART. The goal of the Rescind HEART petition drive is to force the HEART ordinance to a public vote. Only 35 days are allowed to gather 17,458 signatures of Albuquerque registered voters. THE DEADLINE IS JULY 20.

Ron Gustafson is the Chairman of the Rescind HEART Measure Finance Committee. The petition drive is being conducted in accordance with the Albuquerque City Charter and is being run by volunteers.

CONTRIBUTIONS. Contributions will help to augment the signatures collected by the volunteers who are working throughout Albuquerque. On Saturday I received numerous contributions in the mail. I contracted a local firm and authorized their first collection of signatures for the Rescind HEART petition. There is nationwide concern about HEART. Contributions have come from Pennsylvania, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Virginia, New Mexico, Washington, North Carolina, and Arizona. In addition to individual contributions I am seeking corporate sponsorship. My plan is that every dollar received will be contracted for collecting signatures. If you have ideas for corporate sponsors, please let me know. MY THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED OUT.

NETWORKING. There is no big organization behind the petition drive. The drive is purely a volunteer effort. Our success is totally dependent on each of us networking and getting more and more people to gather signatures from their neighborhoods, friends, or businesses. Last week I had a huge number of requests for petitions.

RETURNING PETITIONS. Until July 12, please mail petitions with signatures to:

Rescind HEART
c/o Ron Gustafson
PO Box 576
Tome, NM 87060.

After July 12, call me at 864-3513 and I will pick up petitions. AGAIN, THE DEADLINE FOR ME TO TURN PETITIONS IN TO THE CITY CLERK IS JULY 20, 5 PM.

MEDIA AND OTHER COVERAGE.
On Friday, June 30, I recorded a one-hour segment about the situation in Albuquerque. This was for a national talk show. The segment will be aired this Saturday on Jim Slinsky's, Outdoor Talk Network. His show is broadcast on 50 stations nationwide. It can also be heard on-line, starting Saturday, at http://www.outdoortalknetwork.com/. On Sunday, I taped a news segment with KOAT-TV and it aired on the 10 pm news and again on Monday during the noon news. On Friday at 7:30 am, I will be a guest on Wake Up New Mexico with Larry Ahrens and Dianne Anderson on 106.3 FM. On Friday evening I am scheduled to be a guest on a satellite radio show.

Alerts on the Pet-Law discussion group have had a tremendous response.
National dog clubs have contacted local members and they in turn have requested petitions. Individuals around the country have responded with contributions and ideas to help out. For each of you - thanks for your help.

Blogs are discussing Albuquerque and the Rescind HEART petition. I'm getting educated from all the contacts and will be supporting the "My Dog Votes" campaign. The Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance (SAOVA) has provided a sizeable contribution and sent out a national alert. The internet publication, Dog Press, rushed to provide coverage about
Albuquerque in their Side Effects Column.

The American Dog Owners Association will be providing a sizeable contribution and has been working behind the scenes to foster support. The American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA) has sent letters to each of their members in New Mexico. As a result, I've been getting calls from around the state. I also can't forget to mention the Bulldog Club of America.

In addition, I have been contacted by folks with hunting dogs and by folks who work with local rescue groups. Of particular concern to me, is the lady on a fixed income who is desperately concerned about the costs imposed by HEART. Her dogs are part of the family. The City Council and Mayor just don't get how much they are hurting the citizens.

PLEASE KEEP THE SPOTLIGHT ON ALBUQUERQUE. The entire country needs to be made aware of the failure in local government and its role in supporting extreme aspects of the Animal Rights agenda. HEART is bad for the animals and is bad for the people. It needs to be put to a vote.

FLIP SIDE. Not everyone supports the Rescind HEART petition drive. The leadership of a large Albuquerque dog club opposes the drive. Recently one of those individuals tried to stop collection of signatures at a dog show.

As a result of this opposition the AKC, the CFA, the NAIA and others, now oppose the Rescind HEART petition drive and will offer no assistance. Do not pressure those groups. The support from elsewhere in the country has been overwhelming.

NEW MEXICO CONTACTS. I've talked with or sent information to the New Mexico Farm Bureau, the New Mexico Cattle Growers, the New Mexico Wool Growers, and to the New Mexico Veterinary Medical Association. Some have sent notices to their members throughout the state. These folks understand the adverse impact of the Animal Rights agenda. Notices have also been sent to horse groups in the state. I've contacted neighborhood associations, civics groups, and other organizations with an interest in good government. If anyone knows a group that could provide a large number of folks to help gather signatures, please contact me.

A BUSINESS WITH PETITIONS TO SIGN. If someone asks where to sign a petition, send them to Santiago's New Mexican Grill, 1911 Eubank Blvd NE (west side of Eubank, just north of Indian School and the U-Haul). Jim Madrid has great food and the petitions are on his counter ready to be signed. He's open from 8 am to 2:30 pm Mon - Sat.

FINAL ITEM - DOG PARKS.
Here is an example that shows how inept the City Council and the Mayor were in their "three-year-rush" to pass HEART. HEART repeals provisions for "Off Leash Dog Areas" (section 9-2-2-7) that were in the old animal control ordinance. Nothing comparable was added to HEART. This means that if someone has their dog off-leash in one of the City's dog parks, they could be charged with Animal Cruelty or a misdemeanor under HEART. Recently, a new story surfaced that said the "Parks" ordinance for the city allows for the dog parks. Unfortunately the "Parks" ordinance (section 10-1-1-9) references the section in the "old" animal control ordinance that is repealed by HEART. What poor staff work.

Now the city is trying to cover its tracks. Councilor Mayer had the city post signs that said the dog parks can continue to be used under HEART and to call 311 for information. Someone called 311. That individual was directed to animal control who knew nothing, and was then sent to the parks depart who also knew nothing. Finally she was directed to a city attorney who couldn't explain the law and hung up on her. The facts are that HEART repeals the provisions that allow Dog Parks to be used as intended. HEART needs to be changed -- or better yet, let's put it to a vote and rescind it.

There are some super people working the petition drive in Albuquerque. Our thanks to all of them.