UPDATE: STARK COMMISSIONERS DOG POUND ADVISORY GROUP NEARS DECISION ON THE FINALISTS TO BE PRESENTED COMMISSIONERS FOR NEW STARK CO DOG WARDEN

The SCPR recently checked in with the head of the Stark County Commissioners' Dog Pound Advisory Group as to the progress that the group is making in narrowing down the list of 127 applicants to 5 to 10 for the commissioners to interview.

Len Cooper, a Mount Union University communications professor, tells The Report that he and his fellow advisers have developed a list of four with the possibility more could be added before the recommended list is forwarded to commissioners some time next week.

The SCPR is impressed with the work of the Advisory Group and commends the Stark Commissioners for setting up and staffing the group as a effective way for Stark County to come up with a warden who has the credentials to solve the problems that have plagued Stark County's Dog Pound operations in recent years.

The best way to summarize the work of the Advisory Group is to let group chairman Len Cooper speak for himself, to wit:

So far all of our candidates have an excellent understanding of and experience with

1) human treatment of animals in their care

2) excellent experience working with rescue groups, foster programs, and community outreach in relation to animals; and

3) management experience in and around animal-care organizations, shelters and rescues.

We've got some real progressive thinkers in terms of ideas and plans for the dog pound and I speak for the entire board when I say we're excited about the possibilities.

SCPR readers can depend on The Report to keep tabs on the dog warden selection process with updated reports as the process matures.

When the group recommends to the commissioners, the SCPR will revisit the applications and provide more information to blog readers about the candidates so that readers are equipped to weigh-in with the commissioners about their concerns.