Animal Shelter Issue in Norman

Residents in Norman OK in Cleveland county went to the polls Nov. 8th and approved a

five-year, $3 million general obligation bond issue to fund a new animal welfare shelter. Since voters approved the shelter, the cost will be added to their property taxes.The $3,035,000 will be paid back by increased property taxes over the next five years. A citizen survey in 2009 saw overwhelming support for renovation and expansion of the shelter. It is needed and will cost owners of $100,000-market-value properties less than $1 per month for the next five years

If you click here you can see the brochure made by the city of Norman for the project.

For:

• The shelter is in disrepair and needs upgrading urgently
• There are unsanitary conditions making it hard for the animals
• Many animals have been euthanized due to lack of space and resources

Against:

• Tax raises

Here is an example of a letter to the editor sent to the Norman Transcript:

NORMAN — Editor, The Transcript:


I would like to write about the upcoming vote on Norman’s new animal shelter. First off, I am all for it. I completely understand the additional burden this may place on property owners in Cleveland County. I also understand that a new animal shelter may not solve the root of the problem regarding housing needs for abandoned pets. 


I believe we have no other choice but to approve of the new facility. I also believe steps should be taken to try and help with determining qualified pet owners. I believe, first off, penalties should be harsher toward people who want to abuse and neglect their pets. In turn, hopefully, this will alleviate their desires to obtain one.


I read an article recently that stated that the new animal shelter and increase in tax dollars in The Norman Transcript would not solve the problem. I agree but also understand that raising taxes rarely ever solves any issue. I don’t believe it is even meant to entirely solve the issue but, more importantly, to address a need in the Norman community. Yes. Unfortunately, a new animal shelter is needed and I am all for providing pets a better facility while waiting for a second chance at life.


This is an excellent example of a letter to the editor. The writer saw something he didn't like and sent his argument with excellent support to the newspaper, and got it published.


Media and interest groups dedicated to this issue:


The Norman Transcript Articles-

 

Vote yes on Tuesday for new animal shelter

The Oklahoman articles-

Animal Shelter vote coming to Norman 


Facebook-


Urgent Action Needed for the Norman Animal Shelter


Other Letters to the editor/Opinion-

Only property owners have to pay toward new animal shelter

Say yes to new animal shelter

City needs new animal shelter

 

The shelter bond measure was passed on Nov. 8th with 75.85% of the vote! 

Total Votes:
For the proposition-yes   6982
Against the proposition-no  2223

The involvement of media, interest groups, citizens and politicians played a huge role in the
passage of the measure. There was only one negative article out of the many I found about the shelter. The Norman Transcript also published very emotional letters to the editor written by employees and long time volunteers of the shelter. This not only influenced the vote tremendously, but also showed the huge impact a letter to an editor can make as well as the beuty of free speech in this country. The facebook page was a huge success as well. It has 303 likes and over 100 people talking about it. As a citizen living in Norman, I saw a lot of signs and banners urging poeple to vote yes for the shelter posted by the new shelter NOW campaign. These no doubt influenced voters as well as generated voter interest. Lastly, the work of Council members Tom Kovach and Hal Ezzell on pushing the shelter bond measure through City Council  played a huge part in the measure.