I attended the meeting and I can confirm Heather Pettit`s account of the BC SPCA meeting held at the Vernon shelter September 6th is absolutely correct and to voice my frustrations and total disappointment with BC SPCA President Mary Lou Troman and CEO Craig Daniell. It has become obvious the president has become very insular and does not expand her thinking beyond the BC SPCA and senior staff in matters of animal welfare. I thought former president Michael Steven was a weak president, controlled by a CEO, but many attendees saw what they believe was the current president also taking her cues from CEO Craig Daniell and that she is prone to twisting statements to lay blame on others.

If there were 50 people attending this public meeting at least half were senior staff from Vancouver, shelter staff from Vernon and Kelowna, 3 Vernon CAC, and a few volunteers, most of the others were critics of the BC SPCA and their proposal to make the Vernon shelter a center for seized animals in the B.C. interior. It appeared to me, even a couple of SPCA volunteers were questioning the Society`s motives. The vocal people, including myself asking questions, never did receive clear answers, they were always convoluted and so full of how wonderful the society is for animals. At one point in attempting to answer my questions President Troman twisted my questions to such an extent a few people in the audience were shouting," That's not what he said ".

President Mary Lou Troman also told me the former Vernon SPCA board, which resigned in November 2001 (Heather Pettit, MLA Lyall Hanson and myself were members ), made a mistake in signing a 35 year lease, for $1.00 per year with the regional district, because the BC SPCA does not own the buildings. I guess she forgot the Provincial SPCA also approved this lease agreement. Troman also told me as long as I am a critic of the BC SPCA, the Vernon branch would not succeed.

I am sad to say, every time I attend a meeting with the CEO & President, I come away with bitter disappointment and the reinforced fact, the BCSPCA cannot and will not survive under the current regime, as they will not think out side the box of what they perceive is best for animal welfare in this province. I am convinced most of the controversy and wrong decisions are made because they don`t ask other, or more knowledgeable people about what solutions would be best. If the BCSPCA went outside the Society for expertise, especially to involve other animal welfare societies, that would mean some senior staff might not be needed and of course we all want to protect our positions, right or wrong.

In conclusion, President Mary Lou Troman, who 5 years ago was former CEO Doug Brimacombe`s most vocal cheerleader, could very well be a part of the reason the BC SPCA has lost so many knowledgeable volunteers, members, and donors, now finds itself in the position of just trying to survive - THAT IS NOT GOOD FOR THE ANIMALS!

Glenn Miller
Former 1st. VP Vernon & District SPCA and Life Member.