An Open Letter to Portsmouth Supporters of the Potter League
Dear Portsmoouth Residents:
On May 4, the Portsmouth Town Council declined The Potter League for Animals’ request for a donation to its multi-year Capital Campaign, Honoring Their Trust. The purpose of this Capital Campaign has been to raise funds necessary to pay for construction of a much needed brand new shelter. The new Animal Care and Education Center has been operational since late last fall, and we will have our Grand Opening celebration (to which the public are cordially invited) the weekend of June 20/21. The shelter, recipient of many awards for groundbreaking design in animal care and green building is built and functioning, but not yet fully paid for.
Because of the successful 30-year arrangement for regionalized animal housing services, the Potter League made identical requests of $150,000 to all three communities on the Island. Middletown and Newport both saw the value of our collaboration and quickly approved the funds, to be paid out in several installments. Thank you to those communities!
Portsmouth continues to cite budget pressures, but we fail to see how two communities, with similar budget constraints, can decide to fund the new building, while one community refuses to do so. Regionalization only works if all partners participate.
Each of these towns pays a sum approximately equal to a meager 3% of our total operating budget each year, and with that they fulfill their legal obligation to provide animal sheltering services. No fuss, no muss. There is no way that any of these communities could provide anywhere near the level of care, on their own, for sums equal to the cost of their contracts.
The last time the Potter League conducted a capital campaign for improvements was in the 1980’s. The next time we do this will be closer to 2060. This is not an everyday request and fulfillment of a pledge can be made over time.
As stated at a recent Town Council meeting, at which many Potter League supporters were in attendance, we will never let the homeless and needy animals of Portsmouth down.
But, we put it to the residents of this Island, is it fair that Newport and Middletown have stepped up to the plate, and Portsmouth will not?
Conditions for homeless animals on Aquidneck Island are vastly better than anywhere else in the region. This is due, in part, to a fantastic public/private partnership that has existed for decades.
Portsmouth residents, do you value what the Potter League does? Then tell your Council that it is absolutely worth less than a penny a day per resident, over the next three years, to show its support to the extent the other towns have. Fair is fair.
Contact your council members. Mail them, call them, when you see them about town ask them, why is it that Portsmouth is the only town that is not going to support one of Newport County’s most popular and effective non-profits?
E-mail your friends and family that reside in Portsmouth and urge them to pass the word. We must continue to wage our campaign until the budget is finalized.
The Potter League has always succeeded because of our close relationship with the people we serve. We need you on board! If you have questions, contact the Potter League at Info@PotterLeague.org. The animals appreciate your continued support.
Thank you!
Christie Smith, Executive Director Sheila Reilly, Board President