Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/141988
Sarasota News Leader July 4, 2013 Commission (FWC) or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the two entities responsible for managing animal rehab permits. Tucker had not asked for those. Did she obtain copies of any complaints lodged against SOS with those agencies? No, she had not. Page 11 "I would not even be here if the 27-year legacy of Lee Fox was not being tarnished," he told the commission. "I would not be here if I was not being treated poorly as a veteran." He said city staff lacked the qualifications needed to evaluate the condition of the birds at SOS, but he also emphasized that he does not want to Snyder later made a motion to ask staff to see the facility shut down. gather copies of any inspections or complaints and to have regulators conduct new SUPPORTING FOX AND PARA inspections. He also called for a code inspector to visit SOS to evaluate the mold situation. Para's comments were echoed at a rally held Caragiulo quickly seconded the motion, and outside SOS Saturday morning, two days beit passed unanimously. Tucker said she would fore the commission meeting. A few dozen return with the necessary information in the former volunteers, staffers and bird lovers gathered with signs bearing slogans such as next couple of months. "Bring back founder Lee Fox," "SOS is operPara has also alleged that since Fox's depar- ating without permits" and "Stop killing birds! ture, SOS has been operating without the Save them." proper permits. Pilston told the News Leader last week that regulators allow for a "grace Activists with Florida Veterans for Common period" when a permit-holding individual (in Sense were also on hand, supporting Para. this case, Fox) leaves an organization. He said President Gene Jones told the News Leader FWC had recommended a new permit applica- the organization felt Para "was perhaps treattion for approval, and that it was just a matter ed a little shoddily" and that animal issues are of time before the permits would be in order. important to veterans because of how effective animal therapy can be for those suffering Tucker testified Monday that SOS had apfrom post-traumatic stress disorder. Volunplied for its new permits May 3 and that she teers from the Cat Depot, the no-kill cat reshad contacted the state and federal agencies cue organization, also showed up. to ask if they had any pending plans to shut down SOS. Their response was that they had Asked Tuesday for his reaction to the City "no intention of closing down the facilities." Commission's decision, Para told the News Leader he was pleased. "The birds are going Para began volunteering at SOS last July, after to win," he said. "It's a win that the city took it returning from a military deployment in Afseriously enough to make sure that the birds ghanistan. Eventually, he started spending six are going to get the proper care." days a week at the facility. He told the News Leader the experience was part of his "heal- That doesn't mean he's going to rest on his ing" process. But that all changed when Fox laurels till the next commission action: "We're was let go. not going to stop." %