Hello NewDogChat member,

I am resending this email to members of the NewDogsChat on-line discussion
group. If you receive this and want to discuss with other members, just hit
"reply"

Ann
*************************************
Off-leash task force - Are you wondering what's happening?

Not much. The draft ordinance and report were completed in November. Alderman
Susan Albright made a brief presentation before the Conservation Commission in
December and will be making a presentation to the Parks and Recreation
Commission on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26. I had been waiting to find out the time and
place, but have not yet been given that information. If you are interested in
attending, email me at newtondogs@... and I'll let you know when I have
details.

The task force has been instructed by the aldermen to set up a meeting with dog
owners to discuss the proposed ordinance, but have not yet done so. I'll let you
know if/when this meeting is set up.

It may not surprise you that I am beginning to loose patience with this process.
It was over three years ago, in December 2003, when we held a very well attended
and informative public hearing on establishing legal off-leash areas in Newton
(and when this email list was created). The Aldermen appointed task force began
meeting in spring 2005 and through a painfully slow process crafted a draft
ordinance http://www.newtondogs.org/draftordinance.pdf . During this time there
has been very little for dog owners to do, except keep walking their dogs.
Puppies have grown into mature dogs, well loved companions have passed on. And
we have made very little progress towards establishing any legal off-leash
areas.

I have to admit, I am not optimistic that the end result will be of much value.
While the proposed ordinance enables the establishment of legal off-leash areas,
it creates a rather cumbersome process by which these areas will be created. It
is quite possible that even if the proposed ordinance is passed that no legal
off-leash areas will ever be established.

In light of this the NewtonDogs organization needs to reexamine its purpose.
Over the past two years the organization has become inactive, aside from
maintaining this email group and website (www.newtondogs.org). Once the task
force was formed we took the position of being non-confrontational, giving the
task force an opportunity to do its job. Since no active member of NewtonDogs
was appointed to the task force, there hasn't been much for us to do.

But at some point the draft ordinance will be presented to the aldermen for
approval. First to the Programs and Services subcommittee, then, if it makes it
through that process, before the full Board of Aldermen. It is unclear to me if
the draft ordinance is in the best interest of Newton dog owners and whether
NewtonDogs should support the draft ordinance, lobby against it, or fight for
changes.

If NewtonDogs is going to respond in any way to the draft ordinance we need a
new, fresh group of dog owning citizens to look at the draft ordinance, speak
with fellow dogs owners, friends, and neighbors, decide how we should respond,
and take action.

I am willing to set up a meeting in a few weeks when interested dog owners can
review and discuss the draft ordinance, but only if there are people interested
in getting involved and taking this on. If you are interested, send me an email
at newtondogs@... and let me know. If there is interest I will arrange a
meeting and notify everyone of the time and place (maybe during the week of
March 19).

If you would like to discuss this on-line with other Newton dogs owners, please
join NewDogsChat, our on-line discussion group. To join go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NewDogsChat/

I hope to hear from you.

Ann Dorfman
NewtonDogs