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show details 3:44 PM (16 hours ago)

I've been following your blog for the last few weeks. I would like to say that you have provided an anchor of sanity for me. It is for that reason I am going to take a chance and share something with you I have written regarding the version of Winograd we have in our area. I have blanked out the names used, however the events are true.
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What is going on at the <ORGANIZATION>?
“The <ORGANIZATION> is a Grass Roots, Volunteer Driven, Non Profit 501(c)3, "ANIMAL PROTECTION ORGANIZATION" .” That is a quote from the organization’s  Facebook page. That being said, because it is a tax-exempt organization, the organization is required to provide for public inspection it’s
exemption application IRS form 1023. It is also required to provide for inspection or copying it’s annual return IRS form 990. These requirements can be reviewed at the IRS website,
The <ORGANIZATION> has not provided these documents when requested by individuals and organizations. The response was that IRS form 990 did not have to be filed by any organization with less than $25,000 in revenue. However, that changed in 2009 and became a requirement for all non-profit organizations to file regardless of revenue. The IRS form 1023 form is not available.
The President of this organization, <BLANK>, is aware of these requirements. A nonprofit organization, <BLANK>, that was registered in the state of <BLANK>,   by his wife, in 1996 and dissolved in 1998 would indicate <THE PRESIDENT> would be somewhat familiar with these requirements. However laws have changed since then and perhaps he does not seek counsel from his wife in these matters. His position is that anyone who asks for these documents is only looking to make trouble for his organization. Perhaps a news organization that requests the documents would get a different response. It would also be of interest to see the bank records of the <ORGANIZATION> to verify the organization has revenue of less than $25000.
There are donations jars at various businesses in the area, there is a PayPal donation account known as <BLANK> club, an annual <BLANK> event and  <STORE>,  that the organization operates. These are all sources of revenue for the <ORGANIZATION>. The organization has a fiscal responsibility to the community to spend these donations as best they can. However, the current manager of the <STORE>,  was able to make a tax-exempt purchase of appx $500 from Wal-Mart, with the approval of President,<BLANK>, a set of tires for her personal vehicle. This is to be repaid by <MANAGER> back to the organization, but no taxes will have been paid. The justification for this purchase was that <MANAGER> used her vehicle for animal cruelty cases that she went to. But remember, this is a volunteer driven organization. And there are other volunteers that went on animal cruelty investigations. Were those volunteers also able to be reimbursed for their efforts?
The treasurer for this organization has resigned and was escorted from a public meeting that the organization holds at the <STORE> by the <CITY> Police Department on June 24th, 2010. The secretary of the organization, that is also a charter member of the organization, was also escorted from the premises. This leaves only the president, making decisions for this organization. And that has always been the case. Only <THE PRESIDENT> has access to the bank accounts to spend money. All fiscal responsibility lies with him. The public that donates to this organization should be aware of this.
There is also the decision that <THE PRESIDENT> made to let go a part time employee at the <STORE> in favor of a work force provided thru <SCSEP>. A program called Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides subsidized, service-based training for low-income persons 55 or older who are unemployed. More information can be found out at their website,  This allowed the <STORE> to reduce it’s workforce from a general manager, asst. manager, and 2 part time employees in favor of , a general manager and 1 part time employee, a federally funded work force. This was not the intent of the program. The general manager, who also was the secretary/charter member of the organization was fired, the asst manager quit, and the part time employee was fired. This issue has since been resolved by the <SCSEP> organization pulling it’s work force from the <STORE>.
The <ORGANIZATION> has been in the local news in recent months for transporting puppy’s thru a program known as Pilots N Paws. These puppy’s have come from a source outside the <BLANK> County community, that source being <PERSON>. In 2008, <PERSON>  pled guilty today to 23 counts of animal cruelty and was fined $5,697.00. She was placed on probation for 11 months and 29 days and prohibited from owning more than 4 animals in <BLANK> County. This is a neighboring county.
The president of the organization is more than aware of this incident as he commented here, on a news webiste covering the story
<PERSON> is also given access to the food bank that the <ORGANIZATION> has for needy families in the area that are faced with feeding their animal or taking it to the pound, even though she resides outside the community.
The general public making donations is likely unaware this is what their support is going to. And there are others who likely are supportive of it as long as it means animals will be saved. The public donor should be informed of a nonprofits intent to use donated resources and to use them effectively. This organization needs transparency to be considered legitimate. An internet search of <THE PRESIDENT> will find his criticisms of the local government and animal organizations, but <THE PRESIDENT> is unwilling to provide access to his organization  for any criticisms.
The President  will not even allow access to his property where he has 14 dogs along with cats. Members of his own organization have not been to the property to see these animals that are referred to, at times as either part of an animal sanctuary The President proclaims to have or his personal animals. The pictures show why The President may not want people to see his property. The dogs in the pictures are tethered. In 1997, the USDA ruled that people and organizations regulated by the Animal Welfare Act cannot keep dogs continuously chained. The United States Department of Agriculture has stated, "Our experience in enforcing the Animal Welfare Act has led us to conclude that continuous confinement of dogs by a tether is inhumane. A tether significantly restricts a dog's movement. A tether can also become tangled around or hooked on the dog's shelter structure or other objects, further restricting the dog's movement and potentially causing injury."  The City of <BLANK> has an ordinance restricting tethering.
This may or may not apply, but as the President of a Humane Society, you might expect better living conditions for animals. It is unknown how often the dogs are let off the tethers or are restricted to them. The dogs do appear to have adequate housing. An adoption contract for a canine,, from the organization asks the following:
How many hours per day will the pet you are interested in be outside?
How many hours will this pet be home alone each day?
Where will your pet sleep at night?
Do you have a fenced yard?
Do you plan to keep your pet in an outside pen or on a stake tie out?
Why you would you provide any less to animals in your care as the President of an animal protection group?
The President will likely view this information as an attack on his organization and it’s mission. He will view the pictures of his animals as an invasion of personal privacy and trespassing. His counter point to all these events will likely be that it is for the good of animals. The animal community is divided and each side is passionate about their cause and the means by which they pursue it. The no kill philosophy is a just cause and with coordinated efforts by all, it likely can be achieved.  It is transparency that will give credit to an organization that seeks to succeed in their plight.
This letter has been sent to all local newspaper, television, and radio outlets in the hope that someone  would ask the questions needed to be answered.
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I hope you understand my removal of the names.  I removed the names to protect myself should this information ever be published without my consent.
I shared this with you to ask your opinion what you would do if you knew all this. I would like to send it to the news, but this president is a smooth talker and I am sure would put the spin on it to say he is being attacked. A typical Winograd tactic so I have been reading.
I am concerned this person will turn our community into no-kill before it is ready to accept the idea. The first week that our new shelter was opened, 200 plus cats were brought in. How many would be brought into a no-kill shelter?
I'm new at all this and really am just seeking guidance. I thank you for your time.