Grand Strand Humane Society Update
GSHS didn't get the answer they'd hoped for, but they're not giving up!
Here is the statement (on Facebook) from Grand Strand Humane Society about the outcome of its meeting with Horry County Council:
“Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts to each and every one of you that has advocated for Grand Strand Humane Society in our fight to acquire land for our new facility. There simply aren't words to properly convey our gratitude for the outpouring of support we have received.
Last night, you guys showed up for us in a BIG way.
We can't count the number of times we were told - "We have never seen these rooms so full!" It was a sea of blue as far as the eye could see. While we may not have had the outcome we hoped for last night, we certainly made our presence known. You all made an impact on the opposition, on our county council and especially on us. There wasn't a dry eye among our staff and executive team as we looked out into the room.
We know that the intricacies of meetings such as last night can be a bit confusing, so we wanted to take the opportunity to clarify what occurred. Our team was able to have some very positive conversations with many county council members over the past several days. We explained the progress that we had made with concerned neighbors and showed the support that this project had. Our hope was that we had sufficiently demonstrated our ability to work with neighboring communities and find common ground in order to move this critical project forward. In the hours leading up to last night's meeting it became more and more clear that we would likely not be granted our requested deferral, meaning the resolution would be struck down and we would not be allowed to reapply for use of this land for 12 months. There was an option on the table for us to withdraw our own application, but there was confusion on what that would mean. While county council was in executive session, we worked to determine what the result of withdrawal would be. Whether it meant we could reapply right away while continuing to have constructive conversations with neighbors and council, or if it meant we would be forced to wait 12 months to reapply just as it would have been if we allowed the resolution to be struck down. In the final moments before our resolution was called, we made the choice to keep our fate in our own hands. We withdrew our application for rezoning. Our team felt this decision allowed us the small chance of keeping hope alive for this piece of land.
We know that some of our supporters left feeling frustrated, confused, disappointed, angry and unheard.
Please know that you WERE in fact heard.
All day, we have received calls from the media and county council members who were so impressed by the number of supporters and by the behavior you all displayed. You were classy, composed and respectful. You showed those watching what GSHS is all about.
For those asking what happens now....
We will continue to proudly serve our community. We will continue to fight for the most vulnerable among us. We will continue our pursuit of a facility that our animals, staff and volunteers deserve. We will not allow this minor bump in the road to slow us down in the least.
You can share new ideas, reach out about land opportunities and find so many ways to get involved in our efforts by visiting campaigngshs.org!
To every person who took the time to write an email, make a call, share our information, talk to neighbors, attend the council meeting last night... thank you.
This GSHS team is steadfast, strong and unbelievably resilient. Our team includes YOU and for that we are so very grateful.”