Our Viewpoint Editorials
Entities should proceed with caution on shelter

On Monday, both the city of Jasper and Jasper County approved another step towards the formation of an animal shelter in the city.

The animal shelter is needed in Jasper County. It goes without saying that the animal population in the county is out of control and many dogs and cats are starving in the woods of the county.

When the city finally gave its approval to the shelter months ago, it was heralded as new day in the era of animal control in the county.

Both entities need to make sure the funding for this project is available before progressing any further.

The Jasper Lakes Area Humane Society has raised more than $40,000 for the construction of the building. Both the city and the county have pledged $17,500 annually for the running of the program.

According to JLAHS spokesperson Joe Lanier, the city of Kirbyville, the Buna Chamber of Commerce and the Rayburn Country Homeowners' Association have pledged support as well.

But like the line in the Jerry Maguire movie, it's time to "show me the money."

The last thing this area needs is to sink its efforts and taxpayer's money into a shelter that might cost considerably more to be operated than is being bantered around at the city council and commissioner's meetings.

This is not to say that an animal shelter is not needed in this county, it is. But we need to make sure the money is there to run it properly and it doesn't become a burden for the city after they accept ownership of it.

From businesses such as Tiger Truck and Explorer Aircraft, the city of Jasper has had its share of failed ventures. Let's not add a city animal shelter to that list.

Roses go to….

t To all those who participated in the annual Jasper Lake Sam Rayburn Chamber of Commerce parade last Friday.

t To all the students who were named to the all A honor roll for Jasper ISD. Good work, now let's increase those numbers in the upper classes.

t Jasper police officer Gerald Hudson, who returned to active duty from a stint in Iraq, and was able to apprehend a robbery suspect and save the clerk's life.

Thorns go to….

Michael Dewayne Carter, who has been accused of the aggravated robbery of a local convenience store.