Inside Apple Valley
Kids first or pets?
September 19th, 2008, 3:22 pm · 1 Comment · posted by bedwards
It was a coincidence that I wrote stories about plans for Apple Valley’s upcoming animal shelter the same week Victorville staff announced they would be building a shelter of their own. But having both stories come out so close together raised a couple of interesting issues.
The first came in reaction to the two stories. After reprinting (I say “re” because this figure has been reported before) the fact that Apple Valley plans to spend roughly $8 million on its new shelter, there was a minor backlash from residents concerned over this amount. I spent a good seven minutes on the phone with an elderly woman, trying to explain to her that it wasn’t my decision to spend $8 million on dogs and cats while people are homeless and kids go hungry. The figure was also the main source of comment for the story’s online version.
Days later, I wrote about how Victorville planned to lease the old H & E building to house more city offices, likely including a temporary shelter. When Councilman Hunter approved the lease with the condition that staff look into using the location for a Boys and Girls Club or Uturn meeting space, I heard (second-hand) from one community leader who was upset because “We need an animal shelter!” (To be fair, Hunter didn’t disagree. He just thought another location might be better suited for the purpose.)
It just goes to show: You can’t please ‘em all!
The other interesting issue brought up by the shelters is how, in the words of one town leader: “Once one city does something, we all have to follow.”
Apple Valley was the second Victor Valley city to break off on its own in terms of animal control, with Hesperia running its own shelter for years. Victorville is now following suit, though they were forced out of their Victor Valley Animal Protective League contract rather than opting out as Apple Valley did.
Victorville will now likely follow Apple Valley’s lead, in opening a temporary shelter in a refurbished warehouse while building a custom facility.
I suppose it goes back to the “grass is always greener” mentality. Or just learning by example…
I find it really ironic that the town of Apple Valley was approached by the VVAPL that they would be willing to sell their 20 acres on Zuni road for a fair price. The VVAPL was asking 2 million and the town offered $750,000. The town parted the services with the VVAPL leaving an outstanding balance of $11,000 dollars. The town thought it would be cheaper to build an 8 million dollar facility than to pay a fair price for a shelter already built. The VVAPL is now trying to renovate their facility which has been built in 1958. And guess what–the town of Apple Valley won’t let the VVAPL make improvements since the zoning has changed. It used to be agriculture and is now zoned residential. Its really time to get the council people out and new blood in. The current council are the same people who abused Prop N.