Northampton County animal shelter director resigns

Barbara Loch, who led the transformation of Northampton County's largest animal shelter into a no-kill shelter, has submitted her resignation because of infighting with the board of trustees.

[me too]

OH NO! THis is NOT good news!

[MatzoMan]

This is a damn shame. Barbara Loch has done an incredible job in incredibly stressful circumstances.

It sounds as if the current board is dysfunctional, to be polite. As far as the unpaid taxes, where the hell was the board treasurer in all of this? In any non-profit I've been involved with, the treasurer bore the responsibility of filing taxes. Even if that wasn't the arrangement here, the treasurer should have caught the mistake the first year, if he was doing his duty.

[Snow White]

Haytmanek's so-called leadership as the BASD Board president played a huge part in the current financial crisis that the district is facing. It was also Haytmanek and his cronies on the Board who extended superintendent Lewis' contract for another five years with no performance requirements.

Apparently, he has struck again and this time it's the Northampton County Animal Shelter.

He may be well intentioned, but his actions indicate that he cannot provide guidance and leadership, especially when it comes to weathering difficult times in an organization.

[Someone who cares]

Wow! I can not believe that the entire board is allowing one man to cause so much upset and turmoil. Since we, the members have no say who is on the board..the board itself has to take a stand and get Dr. clueless out of there..then I honestly believe that we have a chance to work together and rebuild the shelter to what it is truly suppose to represent. THE WELFARE OF THE ANIMALS. I am embarrassed by the entire situation and hope the public doesn't decide to go elsewhere, because our animals should not be the ones to pay the price. Those of us who will remain dedicated will all do the best we can to care for and place these animals into the loving homes that they truly deserve.

[Go for the jugular]

This is from Nathan Winograd’s book “Redemption”……………….
“The final element of the No Kill equation is the most important of all, without which all other elements are thwarted—a hard working, compassionate animal control or shelter director not content to regurgitate tired clichés or hide behind the myth of “too many animals, not enough homes.” Unfortunately, this one is also oftentimes the hardest one to demand and find.”
Well The Center had that with Barb Loch and Haytmanek and the board blew it.
Haytmanek's bright ideas of changing how board members are elected and now with causing this is going to cost the shelter to lose many dedicated people, donations, contacts, etc.
It is time the board does something good for the shelter and resign now!

[mmm__cheesesteak]

i hope this can just all be turned around to provide something positive for the animals. they are the ones that will suffer if the donations stop coming in, and they don't get to raise their paws and vote on board decisions. if barb can handle this profesionally and positively than we all can too.

[animal lover]

I agree with MatzoMan...where WAS the treasurer concerning the taxes. This entire thing is so sad.
I wish Barb the best. I also think that this Haytmanek character has a strange vibe about him. There seems to be
problems whenever he is involved. Hmmmmm

[disgusted]

This makes me sick why must there be ignorant people out there. I say get rid of Haytmanek's and his board members put responsible people in there and fix the problem so this shelter can do what it does best take care of the homeless and unwanted animals. Think of all those dogs and cats that are still alive because Barbara Loch's effort to make that a "no kill" shelter. Look at all the homes they go to live out their lives happy. What's going to happen to them now if donations stop coming people don't want to associate with certain people they won't pay the price once again these homeless unwanted animals who want nothing but a loving home will pay the ultimate price while the ignorant people will go their merry way. After all like others said the animals don't have a say in their future they depend on loving and caring people.

[sandy]

I wish Barb Loch the best of luck she did an excellent job in helping these loving animals who came there due to homeless or unwanted situations and making that a no kill shelter and now because of this one guy and his clueless ignorant ideas ruined that. He doesn't care about the welfare of these animals so why is he involved in the first place....If he was concerned he wouldn't have let this problem escalate to the point where someone who does care leave. Why didn't the treasurer pay the taxes or bring this to everyone's attention...May the angels be with all those animals for their fate lies in the hands of ignorant people. This saddens my heart the people can do this and be this way.

[readthenews]

it's amazing that you can't even have non-profit organizations run smoothly without some a&&*()* causing problems.Haytmanek is the real problem and should be ousted.. the treasurer should have to answer to why the taxes weren't paid...why are the taxes so high on a non profit anyway??? my sympathy to the homeless animals that will end up worse off than they are already!! WHERE'S MORGANELLI...he should be looking into this....

[sad]

readthenews wrote:

it's amazing that you can't even have non-profit organizations run smoothly without some a&&*()* causing problems.Haytmanek is the real problem and should be ousted.. the treasurer should have to answer to why the taxes weren't paid...why are the taxes so high on a non profit anyway??? my sympathy to the homeless animals that will end up worse off than they are already!! WHERE'S MORGANELLI...he should be looking into this....

I totally agree with you does Morganelli know whats going on here

[Go for the jugular]

Someone posted this to another story on this......
Taken from another paper...."Haytmanek said the board has a "serious candidate" in mind for the finance director who has a master's degree in administration of public entities, but he declined to identify the candidate because the process was not finalized.

I find it odd that a position they just voted to make and without advertising for the best possible person they already have someone in mind. Almost seems like they are creating a position for someone they know????
I'd like to ask Haytmanek to answer if it was advertised, and show proof, and if rumors about it being his friend's son he hired are true or false? These questions must be answered because of conflict of interest and ethics of board members.

[Poster Nutbag]

the bottom line is Haytmanek needs a new hobby because he's not very good at this one.

[animal lover]

Go for the jugular wrote:

Someone posted this to another story on this......
Taken from another paper...."Haytmanek said the board has a "serious candidate" in mind for the finance director who has a master's degree in administration of public entities, but he declined to identify the candidate because the process was not finalized.
I find it odd that a position they just voted to make and without advertising for the best possible person they already have someone in mind. Almost seems like they are creating a position for someone they know????
I'd like to ask Haytmanek to answer if it was advertised, and show proof, and if rumors about it being his friend's son he hired are true or false? These questions must be answered because of conflict of interest and ethics of board members.

Friend's son???? I think Morganelli does need to get in on this. This is getting really strange now. What a train wreck. Sad.

[Former Center Supporter]

It was in fact a friend's son that was hired for the Director of Business position - son of the Department Head for OBGYN at St. Luke's, the employer of Haytmanek. Not only did this new, inexperienced person get the job but he has been allowed to work out of his home - how can that be effective when he doesn't even have a job description. What are we, the hardworking volunteers and Center donors paying for?? Also, why does he need a new laptop when all the other Center staff work with computers that have been donated to the Center or use their own computers?

It truly is depressing when you think of how one person can totally tear-down and destroy something that our community has built, under Loch's leadership, and that we were so very proud of.

[so upset]

Barb and Dr. Milot have assisted me in feral cat colonies. Now, I don't know where to turn. I can't believe this happened. But, as stated before, the only victims here are the animals.

[me too]

Sounds like Heytmanek is hell bent on designing the Center to be more and more like Bruce Fitch and his Lehigh County Humane Society. Why doesn't he just go work for him and leave the Center to the people who really care. How can he be ousted? Is it like Fitch and he can't be removed? How can the public get involved and demand his resignation? Does anyone know how this can be done?

[me too]

Former Center Supporter wrote:

It was in fact a friend's son that was hired for the Director of Business position - son of the Department Head for OBGYN at St. Luke's, the employer of Haytmanek. Not only did this new, inexperienced person get the job but he has been allowed to work out of his home - how can that be effective when he doesn't even have a job description. What are we, the hardworking volunteers and Center donors paying for?? Also, why does he need a new laptop when all the other Center staff work with computers that have been donated to the Center or use their own computers?
It truly is depressing when you think of how one person can totally tear-down and destroy something that our community has built, under Loch's leadership, and that we were so very proud of.

Ok, seriously, we need to get him out, how can we do it? We have to do it!!!!!! Can someone tell us what to do?

[History repeating itself]

The only thing this Board has done lately is seriously jeopardize the future of the largest No Kill shelter in PA as it sounds like he did with Beth school district. This shelter was on the verge of being able to offer something really special to the animals and the community. It is heartbreaking and a disgrace to watch someone like Haytmanek run it into the ground. I would be interested in knowing what this current board and in particular Haytmanek has done that has been of any benefit to the shelter. What is his interest there? All they have accomplished is successfully alienating the most dedicated, compassionate, and committed director that you will ever find.
They need to go!!

[This is Sad-Easton]

The only losers here are the animals!!! All this hate against one person is uncalled for. When you are an EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of ANY organization it is THAT PERSONS duty to file tax forms. The mail from the government does not come to the board members house. Sounds to me like you all have a vandetta against the DR.
I had pleasent experiences at the Center & will continue to donate. How sad that you would want to stop donations that will help animals. Are we not ALL animals lovers???