We made a little bit of a mess last week, and feel obliged to tidy it up.
While reporting on the county Board of Commissioners retreat, we highlighted a comment by Commissioner David Edge that, while accurate, was easily taken out of context. The result has been that Edge has come under attack by what we consider the most determined of advocates, people who love animals and work tirelessly to ensure they do not suffer needlessly at the hands of humans.
Edge was elected as a county commissioner at least partly on his reputation as a businessman and his campaign as a fiscal conservative, someone who could find fat in the budget and trim it away to save taxpayers their dollars. That was at the front of his brain as he questioned a state law that requires the purchase of temperature control gauges to be placed on Animal Control vehicles so that when animals are transported, the climate is no cooler than 50 degrees and no warmer than 85 degrees.
Edge correctly pointed out that school buses don’t have climate control — and that children are transported to and from school throughout the year in temperatures that don’t comfortably fall within the 50-to-85 degree range. His question was one of priorities, asking why the state would have a law ensuring comfort for dogs and cats but not children. Part of that answer has to be expense; it would likely be prohibitive because of the high number of school buses compared with relatively few Animal Control vehicles.
So his position, we believe, becomes clearer when placed in context — and perhaps even more so when part of the calculus is that he is a commissioner in a county that ranks No. 1 in the state in poverty where residents are saddled with a high property tax rate, and that he wants to make sure dollars are not wasted.
We think it’s a mistake to conclude that Edge’s comment suggests he doesn’t care about the welfare of animals, although that is clearly the conclusion some have made — no surprise given the lack of context. In fact, he tells us that he grew up in a family with pets and is a pet owner himself.
History tells us that today’s Our View will more likely put us on the hook than take Edge off of it. We’ve been there before even though this newspaper has a decade-old history of aggressively giving voice to critics of the animal pound, coverage we are confident has led to improved conditions there, a higher number of animals being spayed and neutered, and fewer by thousands of animals that have to be euthanized each year.
Animal advocates have every right to decry Edge for his comments, but that should happen only after they have a fuller understanding of what he actually said.
I certainly do not need advice from someone such as you -- I am FAR above you and will always be - apparently I must have touched a "sore spot" with your stupidity!!!!!!!
This is a total waste of my time - you are so much like those who have given Robeson County the negative reputation it has - so far behind the times it's pathetic - if you don't want to help the helpless, get out of the way -- it would be interesting to find out how many humans tell the truth about their children/possesions - some are too busy having childrewn in order to receive ADC and live off the tax payers - humans have "choices" - animals do not and you can be assured I will continue being their voice as long as I choose to - also, obviously you have no idea what you're talking about - I've already spent many, many hours implementing new County Laws for the animal welfare, etc., including Mandatory Spay/Neuter at the animal shelter, ending heart sticks and many other changes - maybe you should check about things before you continue making an idiot of yourself. It is obvious you certainly don't care about the animals and I hope you don't have any - do you receive ADC or any other assistance the tax payers are paying for - that would be interesting if you tell the truth.
This will be my LAST comment to you - it's a total waste of my time - some people cannot be educated due to their lack of intelligence - don't forget "The greatness of a Nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" - I'm certain you will have something negative to say about that and probably don't understand anyway - waste of time.
I commend your efforts to go back and review your earlier statements posted here. Not everyone would do what you did and you did the right thing to post a clarification. Your commitment to animal care in this county cannot be questioned by anyone. It's also obvious that due to your efforts and many others that conditions have improved in this county regarding animal care.
I would encourage you to do as I did and take the time necessary to speak with Commissioner Edge privately and find out what type of person he REALLY is. You choose the topic. It doesn't have to be about animal care. Just talk to the man. Most of those who do will come away with a much clearer understanding of where his heart is and what he is willing to do to reach out and help others. Some people just talk. This man does what he needs to do.
I've watched this man go out of his way to provide money, food, or anything else to some unfortunate individuals that had fallen on hard times. He did it quietly, without fanfare, and without embarrassing those people he wanted to show some compassion to. I do not doubt that his compassion for the proper treatment of animals is any less. The world needs more like Commissioner Edge.
I feel that if you are truly sincere in your earlier posts that "you need to be certain you know what you are talking about before attacking others" (your words not mine) then you will be surprised at what type of individual Commissioner Edge really is.
His comment was clearly taken out of context and was not meant to be taken as "uncaring" or inflammatory. Those comments were taken out of context just like Commmissioner Cummings' comments were when he stated that he needed to "get this monkey off by back" during a meeting. Neither one of these men meant their comments as some would make them out to be. They were just using figures of speech or illustrations to convey their feelings and they deserve the same consideration as me, you, or many others receive when we say things.
They're human, have been elected to represent the citizens of our great county, and they have jobs to do as elected officials. That can be challenging enough at times without having every single word they speak dissected by someone.
Again, you made a mistake in what you posted earlier with you comments. You had the chance to come back, apologize, and clear things up. I admire that you did that.
Take the high road here, give him a chance, and we will respect you much more for what you do to raise the standards for animal care in the county.
I also have provided support and a home to many unfortunate animals over the years. It is simply because I love animals. But I love people too.
The ball is in your court ma'am. I'm anxious to see how you play it here before I'll listen to any further criticism or suggestions on what needs to be done to help improve conditions for animals we all love.
I desperately attempted to "take the high road" and called David Edge and asked him to return my call; he did so this afternoon and I was astonished at the manner he spoke to me - from the beginning of our conversation, he attacked me viciously, yelled at me, told me he meant everything he said and his comments were NOT taken out of context - he also made the statement that "he did not intend to change a DAMN thing, at which time I hung up the phone. I was amazed at the manner he talked to me and if he was this rude to me, he will do the same to anyone else who might disagree with him; I am amazed someone with his behavior was appointed as a Commissioner - it is very obvious to me he "talks a good talk" but certainly does NOT "walk the talk". I plan to file an Official Complaint against him for the manner in which he yelled and cursed at me - there is NO excuse. I also have a witness who can confirm this is true.
I tried but to no avail and you can be assured I will NOT call him again - I have too much respect for myself but apparently he doesn't have any respect for himself.
There will be no more comments from me pertaining to this until my Complaint is addressed.
We CERTAINLY need to be cautious as to what type person is appointed to "represent Robeson County".
My "focus" is the care of animals and you can be assured no one wants me involved with any of their bookkeeping - I am beyond awful.
Again, I apologize for the erroneous information I stated pertaining to "Retreats".
USDA LAWS FOR TRANSPORTING ANIMALS
The information is clearly stated.
As I stated, you need to make certain you know what you are talking about before attacking others - as has happened, you end up looking rather foolish not having your facts straight - by the way, I can prove all I've said - can you?
Faith Walker
FAITH'S OTUREACH FOR ANIMALS