WOODBRIDGE MAYOR JOHN E. McCORMAC TO SEEK BUDGET RIDER TO ALLOW FOR THE PRIVATE DONATION OF FUNDS TO ASSIST IN THE CARE AND HOUSING OF ABANDONED ANIMALS |
Feb. 20, 2007
Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac today announced that he will seek a Resolution from Township Council to establish a Budgetary Rider which will allow public and private organizations and individuals concerned about the future of homeless animals to deposit donated funds directly into an account dedicated to the care and housing of Township animals.
“There is no doubt that the care and housing of abandoned and homeless animals is a very real concern for some Township residents, just as it is with my Administration,” Mayor McCormac said. “I, along with the Township Council, have heard the concerns expressed in letters to the editors of local newspapers, as well as directly to the Administration and Council, and we are offering a way for residents to assist in achieving the goal of establishing a Township animal shelter,” Mayor McCormac said.
According to Robert Landolfi, Woodbridge Township Business Administrator, a Budgetary Rider allows the Township to establish a bank account for the deposit of privately raised monies dedicated to a specific purpose or goal. Similar accounts have been successfully implemented in the past and have allowed for the funding of public-private partnerships such as the construction of the Community Playground, the Welcome to Woodbridge Sign Committee, the community bike patrol program, the Buddy Ball sports program, the Woodbridge “We Feed” Committee, the purchase of defibrillators for public buildings, and similar public-private initiatives. Budgetary Riders require that such accounts be established for a specific purpose and the account is public and subject to independent audit. The Mayor also noted that the Administration, with the assistance of concerned citizens, is looking to identify and apply for public-private grants that might be available to assist in funding the animal shelter project.
“The Township Council is fully behind the special rider and would encourage anyone interested in the animal shelter project to donate to the special fund,” said Council President Brenda Yori Velasco.
“Given repeated requests that private funding and donations be part of the options under consideration for the establishment of a Township animal shelter, I encourage and welcome the participation of any resident or business wishing to contribute to this project,” Mayor McCormac said. “Each and every dollar will support the ultimate goal of providing humane care and shelter to abandoned, homeless, and innocent animals.”
Mayor McCormac noted that the private fundraising project has received the support of the Woodbridge Animal Group (WAG) – an independent and respected local animal care and adoption organization. In order to jump-start the fund raising efforts, Mayor McCormac announced that he will host a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at the Woodbridge Elks on Sun., April 15 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Anyone interested in assisting the fundraising effort can contact the Mayor’s Office at 732-634-4500 to volunteer -- cooks, servers and clean-up staff is needed.
Additionally, the Woodbridge Animal Group, with the support of the Woodbridge Township Department of Health and Human Resources, sponsors an animal adoption program every Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Woodbridge Pet Smart store. Cats and dogs are presented for adoption each Saturday, while pictures and descriptions of the cats and dogs are on display at the Pet Smart store. Anyone interested in adopting a pet can contact the Woodbridge Animal Control office at 732-855-0666 x5007. Representatives from the Health Department are available to assist in licensing and health care.
Mayor McCormac reminded that the Administration and Township Council will continue to pursue appropriate options that have been and which remain under consideration with the single goal of locating and providing an animal shelter that is cost effective, considers the needs of all Township taxpayers and financial priorities, while at the same time allowing for the goal that we all share – the humane care and protection of animals.
John R. Hagerty
Mayor’s Office of Communications
(732) 602-6039
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MIS Department
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