Anderson CATS

Editorial: Helping Turn the Animal Shelter Around with AFP Operation Adoption

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 18:04:29 -0800

By K. Paul Mallasch

It's come to light that there have been problems at the Anderson Animal Shelter in the past. Instead of dwelling on the past (which we can't change), I say we as a community try to help turn things around.

Now, I'm sure the Mayor has surrounded himself with people much smarter than myself when it comes to Animal Control. I've listened to the State of the City a few times now and one thing that stuck out is that they have too many animals for the facility.

Instead of spending money the city doesn't have building a bigger facility, the best thing to do, in my humble opinion, is to help the city with animal adoption and spread the problem amongst the city.

I don't have a lot of time to devote to the issue, so I turn to the community here at Anderson Free Press to ask how we, as a group, can go about getting some of these animals adopted. Highlight a photo on the homepage? Offer AFP points for valid adoptions?

I'm willing to help however I can, but as a group we can accomplish more.

Perhaps someday in the future, they'll turn one of the Accomplishment Arch lights on for our group effort.

For now, though, what's the best way we can help get the word out about the need for animal adoption?

Thanks.

Anderson Nifty Lift Buses

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 23:35:02 -0700

Anderson Nifty Lift Buses Unveiled Thursday at Hopewell Center

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 23:34:10 -0700

ANDERSON, IN - Four gleaming Nifty Lift Buses bearing flashy green trim with nighttime reflective properties were unveiled before a group of excited Anderson Hopewell Center clients today.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to accomplish this major advancement in our CATS service,” said Mayor Kevin S. Smith. “When General Manager Peter Heuer joined the city staff, he was charged with bringing new life to the city’s neglected transit system. Our goal is to provide the best possible transit opportunities to support employment and business needs of Anderson citizens.”

The Hopewell Center was chosen as the site for the rollout of the New Nifty Lifts because they are the largest, single source trip generator for the para-transit service. Nifty Lift currently provides approximately 30,000 trips per year for its clients in Anderson. Nifty Lift provides an extremely important, invaluable service for riders – transporting them from home to work, shopping and back; providing special needs riders independence in their daily lives.

CATS also purchased a wheelchair accessible supervisor van. The total cost to purchase these 5 vehicles was $260,000. $208,000 of the funds came from Federal grant money and the remaining $52,000 from the city’s general fund.

Seven new fixed route buses are on order and delivery is expected in mid-October. A new and more efficient system for fixed routes will be unveiled soon.