Belmont County Commissioners Face Questions on Suspension of Animal Shelter Volunteer Program

Following the decision to suspend the animal shelter volunteer program, the Belmont County Board of Commissioners' office was packed with volunteers and former staff Wednesday.

Former volunteer Aaron Apitzsch of St. Clairsville led the questions along with his wife, Jodi Apitzsch. He said they have made inquiries to the county in the past about why the program was suspended but have not gotten a response. He also said that as of three weeks ago, they have been blocked from the animal shelter's county Facebook page.

"It's a county Facebook page and we've been blocked from it. We've been lifetime residents and volunteered for over 13 years every week at the animal shelter and now we've been suspended, and we just want an explanation," Apitzsch said prior to the meeting.

The Apitzches and other volunteers and former staff members also criticized Dog Warden Lisa Duvall. Aaron Apitzsch said she has been reluctant to use social media as a tool.

"I'll shout from every rooftop in the county that we are trying to help, and we are not able to," he said.

Commissioner J.P. Dutton said the board is still in the process of gathering information and hopes to come to a decision soon. The volunteer program was suspended April 5.

"It's not as though that we've ended the volunteer program," he said. "It's just to get a sense of how it's running and if there are changes that need to be made. ... We didn't reply 'til this point because we are still gathering information. We did plan on resuming the program at one point."

Dutton said volunteers are valued, but the shelter must also be able to operate without them if necessary.

Former staff member Nancy Stewart of Belmont said she had worked at the shelter for a little more than a year and criticized Duvall's management and relationship with volunteers.

Efforts to reach Duvall for comment were unsuccessful.

In other matters related to the shelter, the commissioners approved advertising for Request for Qualifications for design professional services for a new animal shelter building. Dutton said there has been a complete evaluation of the shelter by the building and grounds director and the commissioners determined the building could not handle the long-term needs of the county and they would hear from bidders and estimate costs.

Commissioner Jerry Echemann said the commissioners will look at needs such as space and where the shelter is situated, with difficult parking.