County officials "ignored data on animal incinerators efficiency

Editor:

I was disappointed in Barry Paschals characterization of my comments to the press and to the Columbia County Commissioners (column, Sept. 14).

I have made no mention of the county animal incinerator being used for human cremations as was implied. I was equally disappointed that the content of my comments before the commissioners was not reported at all.

Based on data provided by Columbia County Emergency Services Director Pam Tucker and Animal Care and Control Director Linda Fulmer, and using the manufacturers web site, I illustrated to the Commissioners that the price of fuel for the incinerator would be greater than the $75 proposed charge for pet cremation.

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Ignoring this piece of information, three of the four commissioners generously decided to provide the service anyway.

Fulmer denied the model incinerator used in my calculations was the one the county operated, and that the efficiency was wrong.

When I received the technical data from the manufacturer later in the week, I found that the machine is indeed half the capacity stated to myself and the Commission, and that fuel cost projections were off by a factor of four. In short, I was given inaccurate or misleading data - and so was the Commission.

I can conclude two things from this experience:

One is that I am thankful not paying taxes where cost of services is not a concern to the County Commission.

The second conclusion is that the Columbia County Animal Care and Control operation is, either through carelessness, or deliberate deceit, not overly concerned with truth. How will they handle your pet when the time comes?

John R. Glave Jr.

Williston, S.C.

(John R. Glave Jr. is owner of Plumtree Pet Services of Willison, S.C.)