BURTON CITY COUNCIL REJECTS DONATION FOR NEW DRUG DOG

  

After a period of debate between councilmembers and residents, the Burton City Council opted to not accept donated funds for a new drug dog.

The city recently received a donation offer from Aspen Oil Company. Mayor David Zajicek said he, along with Burton Police Chief Greg Rolling, met with the company to discuss possible uses for the funds.

Zajicek said the city had a list of several items to pursue funding for, including street repairs, a water well and Weeren Park. He said Rolling brought up the dog during the meeting, and it was decided funding would be earmarked for that purchase.  The city would receive $12,900 towards the purchase of a dog, and $1,000 toward the park.  No funding was allocated toward the streets or water well.

Several residents expressed their disapproval of the decision, saying it’s not what Burton needs. One person in attendance, Johnnie Pitts, called it “asinine”.

Zajicek said the city’s current dog is nine years old and will be retiring soon. The dog that the city would be receiving is a Labrador currently in training.  When asked by another resident, Jerri Linke, what would pay for vet bills, food and other upkeep for the dog, Zajicek said the city would need to pay for that separately, uncovered by the donation.

Looking at records over the last five years in the city, having a drug dog has led to 45 additional drug arrests, including some felony arrests, leading to $8,500 in revenue for the city.

Councilmember Jerry Martin said Rolling believes the city has the responsibility to stop the drug traffic on Highway 290. Martin believes the city is actually obligated to stop the speeding on Main and Washington Streets, stop homes from getting robbed, and helping with the neighborhood watch program.  He said he just does not see where a police dog helps the citizens of Burton.

Martin added the oil company was going to donate the money to the city anyway, and would be prepared for the city to come back and have other funding requests.

Other councilmembers also voiced their concerns, saying it seemed excessive to add the dog to the city’s limited budget, and it would make more sense to get a donation for something of more benefit to the city.

When the motion came to a vote, the council voted 4-1 to deny the measure, the lone vote for being Dale Schwartz. Schwartz said that, while the funding concerns were valid, he felt he would be a lot safer going to work in the mornings with a dog available.

Also in session, the council:

• Renewed a maintenance contract with Jason Jaster for work on city property, including mowing and edging at City Hall, the water well, water tower, and Weeren Park.  Jaster said he is open to taking on duties in other areas previously mentioned by councilmembers.  City Secretary Angela Harrington said those could be added into the contract at a later date.
• Approved the addition of 30 cubic yard dumpsters for quarterly cleanup of heavy or large trash.  The motion was approved 4-1, with Dale Schwartz opposing.  Harrington stressed the dumpsters will only be available for city residents, who will need to provide a utility bill and driver’s license to use the dumpsters.
• Provided an update on the neighborhood watch program.  Applications are now available at City Hall to register for the program.