I “Resigned” from the Animal Advisory Committee

 

Dear friends,

 

I have resigned from the Animal Advisory Committee and  I will be in D.C. on legislative issues for the next couple of days, so it could be several days before we get a chance to speak with each other.  Because emails have been circulated by those who oppose my efforts and they have engaged the attention of the press, who have gotten a copy of Commissioner Blair’s letter from his office, I felt that I should let you know that you may be contacted by the media for comment and I didn’t want you to be surprised.

 

If these tactics work to remove me from the AAC then it sets a precedence for those that will be affected by the proposed ordinance to have other members, who they describe as “nuts” removed as well.  The work we do is controversial, but we should not be dismissed from our positions without being allowed to face and answer our accusers.

 

Since I am no longer a member of the committee, I believe there is no violation of the Sunshine Law for me to send these letters to you since they are public record and in the hands of the press.  I would strongly admonish all of you, however, not to discuss it among yourselves as Charlotte indicated that it would violate the Sunshine Law for that to happen.  You may contact me individually after Thursday.  The following are the sequence of letters.  Commissioner Blair’s letter below was in hard copy by mail and I have retyped it word for word and can fax you the original if you wish to verify it.

 

Dear Carole Baskin, I wanted to take a moment and thank you for all of your hard work over the past year in service on the Animal Advisory Board.  This community needs volunteers that are willing to serve on the various Boards and Councils to advise the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners on important decisions for this community.  I am thankful for your many hours of dedication and service.

 

However, over the past few months I have received an abnormal amount questions and concerns from citizens and media regarding the eligibility of your participation on the Animal Advisory Board.  I researched some information and although I did not find anything that would exclude you from eligibility of service the constant media contact regarding past history that involved your facility is too much for our staff to continue to handle.

 

Please know that this is a very difficult situation that I am in.  I am going to have to ask you to resign from your position on the Animal Advisory Board immediately.  I appreciate your understanding in this matter.

 

Again, I wanted to thank you for your time of service and all that you have done for the Animal Advisory Board.

 

Regards, Brian Blair County Commissioner

 

My letter to Commissioner Blair dated 6/4/2006

 

Commissioner Brian Blair

County Center

601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 2nd Floor

Tampa, FL  33602

 

As the sanctuary has become better known and more financially stable, it has allowed me to become more active in what can really end the flow of abused and abandoned big cats, i.e. passing legislation that would end the activities that create that horrible flow.

 

The forces that oppose such legislation are largely people who want to own these animals as pets or use them to make a living.  A recent undercover report by API shows how these people circumvent the current laws and shows the abusive conditions in which these alleged “exotic animal lovers” keep their “pets.” This can be viewed at www.api4animals.org/a3b_exotic_pets.php.

 

My role in promoting legislation to end this abuse has grown dramatically within the last year.  Representative Poppell  specifically asked me to appear with him and his cosponsor Senator Posey at the press conference announcing what became known as the “Python Bill” this past session.  The bill was directed at the horrible situation in the Everglades where pet pythons released into the area are taking over and wiping out the native wildlife at