Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Fundraiser

More than 40 people took part in Saturday’s “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” fundraiser for the Three Rivers-based Domestic And Sexual Abuse Services agency.

Staying consistent with the event’s name, most of the male participants wore high-heeled shoes as they walked a mile on the Three Rivers High School track.

Event co-chair Rose Parshall said the second-annual walk was fortunate to once again draw a number of representatives from law enforcement, as well as prosecuting attorneys from St. Joseph and Cass counties.

DASAS provides services for women in St. Joseph, Cass and Van Buren counties.

Financial support for new animal shelter

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners were asked Tuesday to consider providing financial support to help establish a new animal shelter.

Proposed as a jointly run operation between the county and the newly formed River Country Humane Society, the potential facility is being eyed at the 12-acre location previously occupied by Finnerman’s Farm and Garden Equipment site on West Burr Oak Street in Centreville.

Loralee Knepper of Mendon and Three Rivers resident Laura Barley, proponents of the new facility, asked commissioners to consider the funding request. Knepper said beyond a holding and adoption center, the operation has other potential uses, including walking trails, obedience classes and grooming facilities.

Barley said the existing facility, adjacent to the sheriff’s department, is an old building with severe drainage and ventilation problems, traumatized animals are placed next to a firing range and there is no quiet place to spend time with a potential adopted dog.

She asked commissioners to choose an experienced commercial real estate broker to help guide through what needs to be done to determine the value and potential of the Finnerman property, which is listed at $519,000.

Provide the best service possible

A state administrative judge has sided with about half of 30 people with disabilities who said their services were illegally cut by the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County.

The clients, who were represented by Farmington Hills-based attorney Patricia Dudek, said 25 percent, across-the-board cuts by the Centreville-based agency in January were unfairly and illegally implemented.

At issue was the number of hours for activities, co-op employment opportunities and other services for CMHSAS clients who are mentally or physically compromised.

Liz O’Dell, CMHSAS executive director, said she respects the judge’s decision and the agency will maintain its focus on providing the best service possible to its clients.

Agency receives check

Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County executive director Liz O’Dell said the agency last week received a check for more than $200,000 from her counterpart in Oakland County.

O’Dell told board members during their monthly meeting Tuesday that the $211,000 will help cover spin-down costs, which are incurred when the agency fronts deductible or co-pay costs for its Medicaid clients unable to meet the expense.

O’Dell said Oakland County received the funds as reimbursement from another organization. Because the money arrived after its previous fiscal year ended, Oakland County’s CMH had the option of sending it to Lansing or dispersing it to other agencies.

O’Dell said she has a longstanding professional relationship with Oakland County CMH Authority director Jeff Brown.

Recycling event a success

Two semi-trailers were filled with electronics during Saturday’s twice-a-year recycling collection at the St. Joseph County fairgrounds.

Sponsored by the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee, the collection drew a steady stream of traffic during its four-hour window, according to committee member Pat Kulikowski.

The event also netted 13,800 pounds of household hazardous waste, 193 tires and 1,500 pounds of latex paint.

The two trailers of televisions, computers and other electronics weighed about 45,000 pounds and it was the most-popular drop-off site Saturday, Kulikowski said.

The committee is allocated $19,000 annually from county commissioners. Kulikowski said enough money remains in its budget to stage another collection in October.

New supervisor position

The five-member St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week approved a request for a new supervisor position at Central Dispatch, as sought by its director, Jon Uribe.

Uribe on Tuesday explained the new position is for the day shift, which has been operating without a supervisor. He said the measure would create an additional position, but a current telecommunicator position would be eliminated and changed to the supervisor’s post.

Uribe said the change ensures all four dispatch center pods have a supervisor in the call center for all shifts.

The measure comes with an expense of about $3,900.

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