According to a statement released by Judge Conrad Cox, each of the nine "Candidates for Change" received between 562 and 583 votes out of 661 votes cast. The nine incumbent candidates received between 69 and 89 votes each.
Judge Cox certified as well that each of the three amendments to the society's by-laws, which had been proposed by the outgoing board, had been defeated. This included the proposed by-law change that would have allowed the incumbent board to terminate any membership without a hearing.
Judge Cox ruled that "the [election] process was fair and appropriate."
The hope is that the election will bring to a close a tumultuous five-year period in which the board, then under the control of Lee McGraw, was the target of numerous complaints. During that time, volunteers and staff were physically assaulted, claims of animal abuse and neglect were ongoing, elections were canceled, challenging members had their membership canceled and financial records were removed from the Humane Society office.
According to director-elect Sheila Jenkins, the Humane Society is not out of the woods yet. "We have inherited a very beleaguered organization that is only days away from foreclosure because the property taxes have not been paid. Hopefully, this beautiful 12 acre creekside property in Redwood Valley can now be saved and continue to serve this community."
Because the Humane Society is willing to shelter animals for an extended length of time until loving homes can be found, the shelter offers this community an important alternative to the pound.
"We are very gratified at the results of the Humane Society election and the support from the community. We have a clean slate now with a strong and cohesive team hoping to put our combined energies together to try to salvage this organization and make a difference for the animals in our care. Our goal is to put all these troubles behind us and get on with the work of rebuilding the society."
"But that will not be an easy task," Jenkins said. "We are going to need the help of the community. We all need to join hands now. Our hope is that we can begin to build a shelter that we can all be proud of."
If you would like to help out in any way, make a donation or adopt an animal, please contact Cheryl Steppe, Volunteer Coordinator, at 485-7839, or Sheila Jenkins, Committee Coordinator, at 463-1747.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1999
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited