Princess the dog dies…Investigation for that demanded, yet on Connecting Point? Silence…
Back on February 16th, WTVG covered the story of a dog named Princess who weighed between 10 and 20 pounds that got out of her home and was running loose in the Point Place neighborhood that she lived in. Apparently the Dog Warden was called, Princess led the warden’s crew on a chase, ended up being cornered on the family’s porch and rather than try to use a net or a noose, a warden deputy shot the dog with a tranquilizer gun, the dosage of which killed the dog.
It’s noted that the Dog Warden supposedly offered to help the family find a new dog, but that appears to be little consolation for the family. Today the media is reporting that Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop wants this dog death investigated.
I’m all for there to be a look at the procedures that resulted in the dog’s death. That said, I find it a bit frustrating that our County Commissioners will demand a probe into the death of a dog, acknowledging a lovely dog, as it appears from all reports that Princess was, while they are all three silent on the questions concerning the Connecting Point and the Mental Health Recovery Services Board’s role in the lack of oversight.
It’s known that the Commissioners have no direct role in Connecting Point though Commissioners have been on the Board of the Connecting Point and a large portion of the tax dollar portion of the funding for the Connecting Point is through Lucas County tax dollars. It seems just as logical that if a Commissioner could demand an investigation into the Lucas County Dog Warden’s procedures, that one or more could easily demand an investigation into the Connecting Point situation. As it stands right now, I have been told that employees are not going to be paid their vacation and sick time that they have accrued and are owed…
Shows you the priorities of your elected officials.
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:14 pmAnd sad to say, but also our media, this issue has not been pushed anywhere except here.
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:18 pmLisa clearly konop has shown that he is an extreme opportunist but where is the story located? This may be off topic relative to your intent.
“Today the media is reporting that Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop wants this dog death investigated.”
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:21 pmI guess everyone has their own individual way of prioritizing things – but this is wacked.
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:39 pmThere were a few sources, WTVG didn’t have the link up to their story yet, the Blade has it.
It should be pointed out in fairness there are three Commissioners, all three have been emailed/called about the Connecting Point issue.
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:41 pmThe community support for the death of a dog must poll higher than that of mental health services. The case of the dog is sad to be sure, but I have to agree the loss of jobs for the employees and the loss of service for the patients is devastating. These schmucks live and die by polls.
I demand an investigation into the crime committed by Ben Konop for driving without automobile insurance!
Will Lucas County ever get justice in this case? Will the mandatory 90 day suspension ever happen? Inquiring minds want to know.
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071213/NEWS33/712130389&SearchID=73346174365493
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:44 pmGreat comparison, Lisa! It is absolutely whacked the way the Connecting Point mess just fell right off the radar, when you know there has to be a big mess that’s just being swept under the rug. I would guess Konop is making a fuss over Princess as opposed to CP because he (and others) won’t face any trouble in the Princess situation, while there could be some political ramifications for calling for an investigation into the MHBRS’s oversight of Connecting Point. Something fishy went down with that and I can’t help but think the timing of the last levy request and Connecting Point’s demise isn’t a little suspect.
It’s all pretty sad, though, if you ask me. A dog dies and the media is all over it – thousands of kids get screwed out of much-needed treatment, employees are mistreated and tax dollars are mishandled, and they don’t seem to notice.
Sad.
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:53 pmSir John, you are as tenacious with your search for that answer as I will continue to be on the Connecting Point issue.
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:54 pmNate it is sad and it is frustrating, I know more for many of you than it is for me, which is why especially after learning today that it appears that employees are not going to get their accrued leave time paid that this should be again written about.
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:56 pmsir john talbot wrote:
I would also like to know what were the consequences of this infraction. The typical person would have had their license revoked. I was threatened through the mail by the State with revocation of my license if I didn’t provide proof of insurance. Why does this clown seem to get a free ride? What else has this guy done that has been swept under the rug?
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:12 pmHe could have served the 90 day suspension and paid the reinstatement fee. He could have not had the State take action if he paid his policy. It depends on if his insurance company reported him.
We’re dealing with a similar scenario right now, apparently the State of Ohio doesn’t understand why a car totaled after hitting a bear would no longer be insured. Our wonderful (choke) insurance company full well knowing that the car was totaled, reported the insurance cancellation to the State.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:17 pmThanks for the blade link Lisa. I love animals and am sorry for the family, but they need to sue the warden.
I can’t believe this clown said this.
“Mr. Konop said he wants a yet-to-be formed dog warden advisory panel to review the incident.”
Doesn’t this pinhead have work to do? Maybe his job is to get his sorry azz elected to higher office.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:20 pmOf course that’s Konop’s plan, Not Again. He couldn’t win a Congressional seat, so he ran for his aunt’s old seat as Commissioner, and without even finishing that term, he’s already gunning for Mayor. Politics is all that silver spoon fed kid knows.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:45 pmWell I hope the kid gets his butt kicked into the ditches BO is going to be funding. A little hard work would do the punk some good.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:54 pmNot Again, that’s a bit extreme, if for some reason Ben were to ever decide to not continue a political career, he’d return to being a lawyer or perhaps teach more law classes…This is more than just about him.
The other two commissioners and the media have been silent on demanding answers.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:59 pmDid you really expect Tina Skeldon Wozniak to demand an investigation into her relative? Or for Pete to go against Tina and demand one? The dynamic duo must stick together, besides it was just a dog and doesn’t Pete kick his dog? Not gonna get a lot of sympathy from that guy.
From the Toledo Blade, January 19 2007:
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:24 pmMr. Gerken , who backed Mr. Ford over Mr. Finkbeiner in 2005, brushed aside the racism question and said local Democrats are “like a marriage, or a family. There’s disagreements sometimes . I love my dog , but he makes me mad and I kick him sometimes , and he sleeps outside.”
Sir John, I meant related to Connecting Point when it came to any of the three could demand an investigation.
Java did respond to the Gerken dog kicking incident…
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:30 pmSure, probably with a shotgun to his head.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:35 pmGun or no gun, he’s a talented doggie.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:38 pmHe sure is, I can’t get my dog to roll over let alone send out a press release. But he does bite politicians who knock at my door so he is trainable!
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:45 pmGee, didn’t I just read on Mr. Konop’s biography that he is was on the Board of Directors for Connecting Point? Perhaps its a bit of magic diversion, look over here at the poor dog, not the fiscal responsibility to real people as a board member.
(According to the board list on Connecting Point’s web site, which is still up, he isn’t listed as a current member, but his biography only states that it was during his duration as a County Commissioner.)
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:08 pmMary Kate, Ben was a Board member until recently – as was our County Auditor, Anita Lopez – I find that interesting too – as big as she is on accountability and transparency, which the Connecting Point issue is clearly lacking, she obviously isn’t too concerned when her name might be involved.
February 24th, 2009 at 6:27 amWhat the hell and I mean HELL is going on here??????!!!! This is outrageous since there has been no coverage or probe from the elected officials nor the media on CP, it’s time to start calling and turn up the volume. These folks are dopes!
February 24th, 2009 at 6:41 amWelcome to Toledo, Rockets Man. We complain and complain about everything, elect and re-elect the same people to office, look the other way when they screw us all over, and get bent out of shape when a kitten or dog named Princess have their rights violated!
February 24th, 2009 at 7:13 amThe county probably doesn’t want anyone investigating because they’re probably partially responsible for the downfall of CP. And the addicted and mentally ill don’t really rank high on government priorities.
February 24th, 2009 at 1:35 pmThe Connecting Point was on thin ice for several years. Zeph was going to merge with the Connecting Point in 2007, but when the Zeph bean counters looked over the Connecting Point’s books the whole idea was dropped like a live grenade.
Most of the Connecting Point staff was immediately hired by Zeph or Harbor, and with unemployment the way it is they should be grateful that they’ve got a job at all.
I’m not surprised that the Connecting Point went under, nor am I worried about the employees getting all the back pay they think is due them. By their actions, all three county commissioners are worried even less than I am, both about the Connecting Point and about the fascist behavior of Skeldon the dog killer.
February 24th, 2009 at 4:56 pmAs an aside, since I used to work there shortly after it was created, it’s Zepf – not Zeph – named after Elizabeth Zepf.
I’m sure you can understand why some might disagree with your or the Commissioners lack of concern, especially related to employees not being paid for sick/vacation time that was accrued and is owed.
Since supposedly so many knew that the Connecting Point was in trouble, it points out some clear questions as to the lack of oversight that something wasn’t done sooner and that employees and clients were not better treated.
February 24th, 2009 at 5:02 pmLisa, there isn’t any ’supposedly’ about it. The people at the Connecting Point knew what their situation was. There wasn’t any lack of oversight involved. The Connecting Point went bankrupt and closed, and it did so because there is no money to support it.
When any business goes bankrupt, vendors of that business lose out. Invoices go unpaid. So do employees. About the only entity that doesn’t lose is the government, which will collect back tax money and penalties before anyone else gets a dime. Go ask HistoryMike if you don’t believe me.
If the ex-employees of the Connecting Point have any money due them, tough. The world isn’t fair. They lost, what, one to two weeks of wages. If they’re employed right now, they are both good and lucky.
February 24th, 2009 at 6:10 pmListen here Jack,
I had no idea you were the insider/ expert on the CP issue perhaps you sat on our board of trustees? The reality is that the majority of 109 employees of CP are unemployed. Only a select few are gainfully employed at Zepf and Harbor. Further, the majority of my fellow peers were blindsided by the closing despite the best efforts of the few of us who had enough access to information to know otherwise. The vilification campaign against those who spoke out was nothing short of fiendish; preying on staff’s devotion to serving this vulnerable client population and quite sanctimoniously using religion as a tool to convince staff of the purported purity of their cause. These people were playing the sickest sort of head game with people’s lives! It stands to reason that with CP being in failing fiscal health for as many years as they were that those administering “the slight of hand” had to be well practiced at the art of deception.
So, don’t blame CP staff for believing in them. When you’re working with this population it’s easy for a conman to use altruism as a trump card over self preservation. I know that there are still CP staff hoping that that final check is going to come inpart due to the religious posturing of the admins over the years.
The “tough luck for those who trusted” mentality is disturbing to me. “You win some you lose some.” “Oh, well they should have know better than to let those helping professionals rob them.” It’s that thought process that has left my peers jobless, and the majority of our client heading to an agency that shuts down before the school day ends.
This whole situation should be a wake up call as to how disposable people are in Toledo.
February 25th, 2009 at 1:13 amIt isn’t the ‘tough luck’ thought process that left your peers collecting unemployment. It is a lack of funding combined with a low demand for labor.
I did not have a seat on Connecting Point’s board of trustees. If I had, I’d very likely have shut the place down before it finally went belly up, as I know that no good will come from postponing the inevitable.
The only people I know personally who worked at the CP got job offers immediately. They were pursued by prospective employers, which must say something about their skills and work ethic. That being the case it may well be that other ex-employees were not sought out because their skill set was mediocre or poor, and their work ethic non-existent.
February 25th, 2009 at 8:51 amI thought you knew one person Jack, which would mean following your theory everyone who is currently unemployed has a mediocre skill set with a non-existent work ethic.
There were not an equal number of jobs, so the reality is those that actually stayed because they cared about their clients as opposed to those who jumped ship are going to face a more difficult time.
Which is beside the point, if you are owed pay, you should be paid it, it’s very simple.
Fleeced, Mad Jack takes a similar position on other issues.
February 25th, 2009 at 9:28 amSo Jack, let me get your argument strait and please correct me if I’m wrong.
1. Cp needed to be shut down because it was inevitable.
a. Not because of criminal negligence on the part of the board of trustees, and Mental Health board.
b. And not because CP’s administration spent money in violation of almost every grant covenant it obtained, Reportedly lied to both the Mental Health board and it’s board of trustees, “misplaced” hundreds of thousands of dollars(that we know of for sure), developed policies that debased the service quality to the children they serviced, spent our tax dollars on self serving parties under the guise of fundraising (not to mention $500 lunches to the board of trustees each month), and betrayed both their employees and the public’s trust.
2. In the end it’s o.k. that the community is quite on the issue because the “hard working” employees (that you knew) got jobs right away and only the “lazy employees” are suffering.
Is this what you’re saying I need clarification?
February 25th, 2009 at 9:41 amIt looks to me as if the local media and the elected officials have gone mute on this situation and they are not budging. Since CP is already shut down for good, perhaps we need to stop commenting on this and just move on. It is becoming a broken record here.
February 25th, 2009 at 9:52 amRockets, when Tammy Cappelletty was murdered and the impression was given that she was some how related to drug use/drug sales and her children were being teased about their dead mother, it took over a year before her name was finally cleared.
I didn’t just decide to be quiet about it or a variety of other stories that have taken time to get answers. When you believe something is wrong and it needs to be addressed, you don’t give up. I’m collecting data and evidence, I’m going to continue to point out that there should be an investigation into what happened and that the employees should be paid all compensation due them.
The silence on this issue makes me more concerned, because this is not the norm. So, I’m sorry if you think this is like a broken record, but this is much more important than the antics of Jon Stainbrook or the investigation into the death of a dog.
This involves community tax dollars, community organizations and questions of a very deep seated nature that none of our elected officials appear to want to start asking.
February 25th, 2009 at 10:10 amI understand with everything you are saying Lisa and no one shouldn’t give up, but when no one (elected officials, movers/shakers, and the media) isn’t budging, it’s kinda like the “800lb. Gorilla” thing. I have to ask “where is the common ground on this one when you are up to this type of task?”
Hopefully the ice will be cracking soon, but you have to wonder if it’ll ever happen? Lastly, no offense intended for the ” broken record” comment in my previous post.
February 25th, 2009 at 12:09 pmI wasn’t offended, I understand where you are coming from and I realize that it’s easy to give up when it feels as if you are coming up against a wall.
Maybe the answers will never come, but I’m not ready to give up yet. I have a feeling with the more documentation I gather, as that becomes public it’s going to be harder and harder to ignore this.
February 25th, 2009 at 12:20 pmLisaRenee wrote:
I sincerely hope you are right.
February 25th, 2009 at 1:24 pmLisa, I’m glad there are people like you who are willing to do the research and let people like me know what is going on.
February 26th, 2009 at 1:44 pmLooks like Ben “I have to stir up pointless crap” Konop is at it again with his forming of the task force to oversee the Dog Warden. Is he for friggin’ real? With the economic issues plagueing the Toledo Region, he sees this as a priority. Now, if Toledo did not have an effective Dog Warden, he might have a point. However, Toledo has been served well by the current dog warden. Mr. Skeldon has done a commendable job considering the scope of his job and the resources available. Is there room for improvement? Probably, but that should and is being handled internally by his direct superiors…not some half-baked ‘committee’ ramrodded into action by Mr. Konop.
An effective council-person should be looking at the needs of the city and region, and working as a team member to focus on meeting those needs–not running around the city like some Redbull-fed Shitzyou (custom spelling just for this post provided at no extra charge!) flapping his yapper. Get your priorities straight, Ben, and then get to work…otherwise, it’s all bark, and no bite…
February 26th, 2009 at 6:53 pmCommon Sense – Ben’s only priority right now is running for mayor – so I’d say he is right on track with his misaligned antics!
February 27th, 2009 at 6:36 amKonop continues to show a lack of respect for the law. Remember the vehicle insurance snafu?
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090311/NEWS16/903110343
March 11th, 2009 at 8:43 am