County looking for new shelter manager

Apparently, Cherokee County Finance Director Mike Vassey isn't as agreeable as some county officials thought.

Vassey had been appointed to interim consolidated animal shelter manager shortly after state authorities began a probe at the shelter earlier this summer. He remained there until last week when he requested in a letter to return to his fulltime finance director duties.

Several council members and local animal rights advocates lauded Vassey's performance as shelter manager and asked interim county administrator Ben Clary if Vassey would reconsider and stay as interim manager until a permanent one is hired.

Clary said that was likely since Vassey is very agreeable.

But Cherokee County Assistant Administrator Holland Belue said Vassey won't be returning to the shelter.

"Council said Ben could ask him, but couldn't force him," Belue said.

Vassey was assigned to the shelter in an administrative action that had the backing of council.

Belue said Vassey didn't consult with the administrative staff before returning to his full-time finance director duties.

"Nobody in the administration told him to come back," Belue said.

County animal control officer Donnie Crowe now will serve as the interim shelter manager, Clary said.

That has drawn the ire from animal rights proponents, who claimed Crowe allegedly violated animal cruelty laws when he euthanized animals at the shelter.

Council is expected to begin today advertising for a full-time animal shelter manager.