Shelter site gets city OK
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on April 3, 2007 2:05 PM
Before Goldsboro City Council members voted on a zoning request from Wayne County that would allow for construction of an animal shelter inside the city limits, the Rev. Charles Williams voiced strong opposition.
"We have some churches that are in opposition to it, there are some residents in opposition to it and we have a hotelier in opposition to it," the District 4 representative said. "Therefore, I am in opposition to it. And I pray the majority of the council is, too."
His prayers, though, were not answered.
In fact, when the vote was called for, a stern "no" from the Rev. Williams was the only one heard inside the second-floor conference room at City Hall.
Other council members said they felt the county had proven that construction and operation of the state-of-the-art facility would not create a nuisance for neighbors and businesses in the area.
"I believe it will be an excellent location," District 5 representative Chuck Allen said.
Bob Waller agreed.
"I think it is a perfect location for the people of Goldsboro," he said.
Newly hired shelter director Justin Scally also was on hand when the decision came down.
"It's excellent," he said. "This is just one additional step in the right direction for Wayne County."
Now that a location has been approved, Scally said county staff will work to get the new facility up and running.
"What's going to happen now, within the coming week, we'll finalize the plans with the architect and then we'll put (the project) out for bid," he said.
And while it is still too early to predict exactly when construction will begin or how long it will take to complete, Scally said he is confident that within the next few years, the citizens of Goldsboro and Wayne County will have a shelter they can take pride in.
"We'll do everything we can to streamline this," he said.
Some area neighbors, though, are still not convinced -- nor were they happy about the way Monday night's vote turned out.
Mary Rhoe said some who live on her block -- near the east side of Clingman Street, between Corporate Drive and Stronach Avenue -- have already discussed the possibility of moving.
But she has a better idea, she added -- giving her vote in November to people who "care about the concerns of black neighbors."
"That's OK," Mrs. Rhoe said. "We'll remember this during the elections."