Dogs, Cats, Daddy Talk Show Hosts & VISA

The week that keeps on giving. An update on a raid of an animal rescue operation, the reaction from a father and an update on why VISA isn't recognized everywhere.

Cats and dogs first -- more than 100 pulled from 51 Vesper Street in Akron, provoking some pretty harsh comments aimed at the leader of "Heaven Can Wait" and those seeing political payback lurking behind every nook and cranny.

You likely know the story by know, but if not here's the original report and the follow-up with HCW executive director Heather Nagel talking with WAKR's Ray Horner this morning. Both include audio interviews and the Nagel story has photos provided by the City of Akron on conditions inside the home. You can almost catch a whiff (or a gag) from the slideshow.

Right off the bat -- it's easy to condemn those trying to help so many animals. But those casting the first stone should take a breath, a deep breath, and consider just what it takes to mind so many of God's creatures the rest of us have kicked to the curb, or worse. It can't be easy in any scenario to take care of dozens and dozens of cats and dogs, keeping up with the mountains of food needed and what comes later.

I give Nagel and Heaven Can Wait high marks for trying to do the right thing, and following their hearts in helping the animals. I'd give them all the benefit of a doubt and trust their intentions in this endeavor were good, old-fashioned open hearted service.

But it appears the well-spring of caring was just flooded by the reality of so many animals in such a relatively limited space. A few years ago, my NewsNight Akron crony Jody Miller and I toured the Humane Society digs on Quick Road and got a reality check of the cards stacked against those who seek to help the forgotten animals of our community. They do a wonderful job under conditions most of us wouldn't tolerate for a minute much less the days, weeks and months put in by volunteers who lead with love rather than their sense of smell.

That said, the conditions on Vesper appear absolutely out of control. It's a shame the finger-pointing now even includes cries of political subterfuge and payback. Let's be real for a minute: it's a house with over a hundred dogs and cats. It ain't the Ritz, and common sense should suggest it wasn't fit for human or animal. Give Heaven Can Wait props for seeking to serve but let's hope they find a place better suited to pursue their passion.

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The back story on this is more than just the usual political positioning: I was on the receiving end of what I can charitably describe as a "flaming" call from Heather's father, WNIR-FM talk show host Tom Erickson. Needless to say threats of legal action were hurled, harsh words were tossed, and it was unpleasant -- exactly what I would expect from a father after his daughter's trip through the news.

I don't blame Tom for being upset over the coverage. What parent wouldn't be? What surprises me, frankly, is a "shoe on the other foot" syndrome we see and hear so often today. If it had been the child of another prominent figure -- let's say, for example, either Mayor Plusquellic, Warner Mendenhall, or a media figure such as Matt Patrick or the bevy of TV anchors in Cleveland -- don't you think that would be part of the conversation at the water cooler?

Wouldn't it be noted -- especially if proud Papa had included interviews with said child on his show?

I believe it was fair to make note of the family link because it was public, defined not by my definition of celebrity but Tom's decision to include Heather's activities on behalf of her animal rescue group as well as her politics. I must say Heather displayed more reason in her interview with Ray Horner than I heard over the phone Tuesday.

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Finally, an update on my post regarding using your credit card to pay Summit County bills. What about VISA?

You can use Discover, American Express and MasterCard but leave the V-card at home. Jill Skapin of County Executive Russ Pry's office explains it isn't the county's call, but instead is an odd requirement from Visa that the government workers processing payments aren't allowed to swipe the credit card. It has to be done by the consumer, and since it would cost more money to install public card readers outside of security windows than it's worth you should leave the Visa card behind.

If we cannot swipe, we are left to gripe.

VISA -- everywhere you want to be except paying my county tax and service bills.

Priceless.