A Shake-Up At BARC, For Better Or Worse

By Craig Malisow Thu., Aug. 6 2009 at 9:36 AM

Categories: Political Animals

BARC went through some housecleaning yesterday -- in a big way.

In addition to the firing of veterinarian Eunice Ohashiegbula-Iwunze, other BARC personnel issues Wednesday included the resignation of Administrative Supervisor Dorian Strickland and a "disciplinary procedure in process" for vet tech Abiga Arredondo.

Ohashiegbula-Iwunze had recently been demoted from the chief veterinarian position. She was fined $500 by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners in June for violating U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and Texas Veterinary Licensing Act requirements. Prior to working at BARC, she was a vet in private practice in New Jersey, where her license had been suspended in 2004 by that state's veterinary board for "gross incompetence" by accidentally administering lethal overdoses to dogs while she was under the influence of painkillers

Health and Human Services Spokeswoman Kathy Barton could not give details on Arredondo's situation, other than "He's a very long-term employee, so...you have to ensure that whatever action you take...with a civil service employee will be upheld by the Civil Service Commission."

~~Ohashiegbula-Iwunze also had civil service protection, but "the case on her...had been deemed compiled for some time," Barton said~~. (See update at end of item.)

We haven't yet been able to contact Strickland, who was popular among many BARC critics, but we'll let you know if and when we do.

Update: Barton just got back to us with a corrected statement that Dr. O did not have civil service protection, as she was an "executive level" employee.

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I have had many encounters with Dr. O as a volunteer who evaluates and pulls dogs for a breed-specific rescue. Once she eventhanized a wonderful dog being held for us to pick up. I know that Dr. Pat Ryan applied for the job of BARC Director. Dr. Ryan was at the Saving Animals' Mickey Hagey Clinic until it closed. Dr. Ryan is so well thought of, making her the new Director would be the fastest way to turn BARC into a model shelter.
This Fusco guy is a no expert on animal welfare. He spouts cliche corporate nonsense about process improvement,etc. What is needed in my opinion is a DVM and staff with compassion.
We hope it is understood that Dorian Strickland's resignation was voluntary and the timing was a big coincidence to the other firings that took place at BARC. Dorian was one of the very best things BARC had going and he was truly valued by all who worked with him, especially the volunteers and rescue groups. He communicated well, had good customer service skills and demeanor, and always gave 110% to help the animals at BARC. Dorian's resignation is a great loss for BARC. We all know how hard he tried and how much he gave.
All this drama makes one wonder if maybe good ole Kent Robertson had his hands tied in firing bad workers b/c Williams wouldn't let him. Then again, Robertson was the bonehead who hired Ohashiegbula w/o doing due diligence. Don't be fooled. The City now pays its vet staff very well. Vets in private practice don't make nearly as much and that's without the cush city benefits. Either way Williams is a micromanager. BARC would do better as a stand alone department with an Internal Review Board made up of concerned citizens and a vet or two.
hmmmm. I don't think Dr. O's termination has anything to do with the new "change agent". Terminations are a tedious city process and her leaving was probably after many months of trying to get rid of her, even if she was executive level. For the rest of the personnel who are being fired, it's the same situation- I'm sure very little had to do with the "Change Agent", and much to do with building cases against these employees for the course of the last four to five months. I think Dorian was a great guy, but he talked the talk, but didn't walk the walk. I'm glad they are firing personnel, I think that the personnel there did not want to change and fought back hard when the incident command team went there.
We�re Protesting BARC and We need you there! Monday, August 10th 8:30 a.m. Harris County Criminal Courts Building 1201 Franklin Street Houston, TX 77002 Lend your voice to the voiceless, and support Shelby Kibodeaux - a BARC volunteer recently charged with �filing a false police report� after contacting city officials with his concerns about an incident at BARC. Shelby is appearing in court at 9:00 a.m. and we want to support him and use this opportunity to remind the media and our community that WE�RE NOT GOING TO SHUT UP AND GO AWAY - WE DEMAND CHANGE AT BARC! Press releases will be sent and we expect media coverage. Please bring your signs and your energy on behalf of the poor creatures who need our support (and the volunteers who work tirelessly to help them). Ideas for Signs: We will NOT be silenced! We Demand Change at BARC! Stop Persecuting Witnesses to Abuse! We Need REAL Leadership at BARC! Stop Animal Abuse at BARC!
Yes, Fusco confirmed that Williams is the one who fires and hires even though Barton confirmed that Fusco is the interim head of BARC. He still claims he's not an employee but it seems to me the head of BARC is a city position and not a contract job. Fusco needs to come clean and apply for the job like anyone else who wants it. The city needs to come clean so we can understand why this director doesn't have the authority to hire and fire. You would think that would be one of their major duties.
I hope Bill White is paying attention. 1 - BARC's environment/underfunding is so bad good employees ARE RUNNING. Makes one wonder why they've been through FOUR (not three Stephen Williams is trying to diss Deoniece Arnold) in the past 5 years...not. Secondly, you sheeple are mistaken if you think Fusco is responsible for this. Fusco is just a suit. literally. Stephen Williams is still the firing/hiring manager.
Dorian did not resign under duress. He had been seeking another job before all of this occurred. He was one of the "good guys" that, unfortunately, BARC loses because they just can't stand it any more. My vet worked there when he was in school (years ago) and he told me that no reputable vet will work there because the conditions and treatment are appalling. BARC is losing one of their greatest assets. Again.
Dorians name should not be associated with the firing of Dr. O. He was one of the few competent employees at BARC and genuinely cared for the animals there. It's a shame that two great employees have quit over the past two months (Strickland and Grieff) because they knew it was almost impossible to succeed in such a horrible environment.
Dorian was a great employee at BARC. He was very helpful and accommodating! He helped a lot of people and animals alike! He will be missed! And, it seems, with the recent news, that good employees at BARC don't last and the ones that don't belong there stay a lot longer.
Mr. Strickland's resignation has little to do with Mr. Fusco, and everything to do with the Incompetent Command Team from the Health and Human Services Department. It is a shame that this team has left such a terrible legacy at BARC. Mr. Strickland was underutilized by being pushed into menial jobs, kept away from the decision-making process, his ideas were rejected at first and then adopted by the team as their own. In essence, he made the ICT look like fools by caring and efficiently performing his job. If Mr. Fusco wants to succeed, he needs to ban the ICT from BARC. They do not solve problems. They only know how to create them. Good luck to Mr. Strickland. We will always be grateful for his efforts at BARC.
I just want to make sure it's understood that Dorian Strickland's resignation was voluntary and the timing coincidental to the firings of other BARC employees. Dorian was one of the very best things BARC had going and he was truly valued by all who worked with him including volunteers, rescues and members of the public. Dorian always went the extra mile to help the animals at BARC. Dorian brought a fresh perspective and new ideas but since he didn't come from an animal control background his forward thinking was not always appreciated by the "powers that be" in the City. His resignation is a great loss for BARC, I know he really tried .
I agree with Chris Dodson. Fusco is just doing what OBVIOUSLY needed to be done for years. Why does he need to be paid $34,600/ month to do a director job? This money could have been spent on the animals. The purchase order he's getting paid with--is it coming out of BARC's budget? Why couldn't vaccines have been bought with a similar purchase order?
Dorian Strickland's resignation was because he was offered a fantastic job somewhere else... away for the death pit at barc. His resignation had nothing to do with the "house cleaning" going on up there. He will be sorely missed at barc because he was one of the very very few employees that actually cared and helped the animals, the volunteers, and the public !! Good Luck with your new job Dorian...
Dorian Strickland was one of the bright spots at BARC! He will be missed! And yes, there are more and more bright spots at the shelter! Go there and meet them for yourself! I commend the changes that took place yesterday, and see them as progress towards making BARC the shelter we are all working and volunteering for!
Dorian Strickland was one of the positive spots in a very dismal picture at BARC. He has always put the animals first and bureaucracy second, which sometimes put him at odds with that bureaucracy. He had a lot of good ideas that were constantly shot down and then when someone else would propose the same thing, they would be praised. The "someone else" people were always ones that have been with the City of Houston for quite some time. This is a great loss for the animals at BARC, but because Dorian Strickland is a very competent person, he found a much better job in the private sector and decided to stop beating his head against the brick wall called "BARC".
While I applaud the actions that have taken place at BARC in the past few days, I still have concerns. Up to 90% of the mass of an iceberg is under-water, the remaining amount in only visible from the surface of the water. The same could be said with BARC. The 90% at BARC is disease and euthanasia that seem to go unchecked. I personally adopted 2 great dogs from BARC, sadly they died shortly after I adopted them. If BARC had done a better job of providing booster shots and vaccinations, they might have survived. Until BARC addresses the alarming rate of disease and euthanasia, I personally can't endorse any "change agent". This is a promise I made to my dogs and other families that had to endure the same, tragic fate. ________________________________________ Chris M. Dodson http://blog.bearshope.com www.bearshope.com Twitter: I_Have_No_Idea
Mr. Fusco, I am beginning to believe that, when you say you "are committed to COMPASSION and COMPETENCE", we are finally getting sincerity from someone at the City of Houston. There is plenty more to do, as you are very aware. Good luck. You now represent the best hope our City animals have had in a long time. Thank you.