City of Fulton Planning and Protective Services Director Les Hudson revealed the name of the new Fulton animal shelter during the Fulton City Council meeting Tuesday night.
The new animal shelter, located at 60 West Industrial Drive, will be known as the Sam and Daisy Grabb Animal Shelter. Mayor LeRoy Benton said Sam Grabb of Fulton, the son of deceased Sam and Daisy Grabb, was a substantial contributor to the project and, in memory of his parents, decided to name the facility after them. Benton said the Grabbs were known as animal lovers.
The city will host a grand opening 10:30 a.m. Friday with a ribbon cutting ceremony and sign unveiling. An open house of the animal shelter will follow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Saturday, the city is offering free pet adoption from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The new facility allows space for up to 40 dogs and 30 cats, according to a previous Fulton Sun article, in addition to more space for animal shelter staff. The current facility, the Garrett Animal Shelter, was constructed from the former city pool and was supposed to be a temporary solution for the city during the 1990s.
Celebrations on Friday and Saturday are a result of years of fundraising. Benton dedicated funds from the 2012 and 2013 Mayor's Cup golf tournament to go toward the new shelter and the city sold engraved bricks as a money generator. The end result is what Benton called a joint effort between citizens, volunteers and the city. He expressed gratitude to Fulton resident Lewis Beaty, a retired electrician, who wired the facility with assistance; Councilman Lowe Cannell, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) repairman, for progressing the HVAC units; and Councilman Richard Vaughn, a retired commercial plumber, for his help in bringing in a plumbers union to move the plumbing installation forward.
"It's a very proud moment and also a big sigh of relief," Benton said. "We put a lot of effort into it to bring it in in a reasonable fashion. Again, a very proud moment."
Hudson echoed Benton's statement.
"It's really been amazing the way people have stepped up with the animal shelter," he said. "It's been awesome."
Animals adopted for free on Saturday will be spayed and neutered. Hudson said the cost for animal adoption, which includes the spaying and neutering, costs about $100.
Also at its meeting Tuesday night, the council approved the drafting of an ordinance that would charge food-producing facilities - like restaurants, kitchens and school cafeterias - $100 for a third subsequent health code inspection. Hudson said the city has to inspect some places multiple times - upwards to seven or more - before a problem is solved and the facility passes inspection. The reason for not fixing a problem, Hudson said, varies by facility. Sometimes cost is a factor and other times, he said, a solution could take a matter of minutes but it goes neglected.
"The second and third time you just wonder, "Man, what are we going to do?'" Hudson said.
City Administrator Bill Johnson said when the city's health inspector makes multiple visits to a restaurant, the business is not taking the inspection seriously. The fee, he added, is not intended to be a money-making machine for the city. Johnson predicted the possible charge won't financially benefit the city with more than hundreds of dollars.
"We're not doing it to generate money," Johnson said. "We do it as an additional incentive to the business owners to meet code."
In other business, the council approved a request from Dave Beaver with the American Legion to hold the fourth annual July 4 Celebration Parade in downtown Fulton. Beaver said 11 Callawegians who died while serving in the Vietnam War will be honored as the grand marshals this year, with family members participating in the parade as representatives of the fallen soldiers. The council also approved the Faith Maternity Care 5K Diaper Dash to be held 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 12 at Memorial Park and the Stinson Creek Trail.
The council moved Bill 1422 to a second reading at its next meeting on Tuesday, May 26. If passed, Ash Drive will be renamed to Wilds Lane to reflect the last name of the only couple living on the street.