Capt. Herb Could be Next Member of the DC Animal Advisory Board

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners could decide to make Capt. Herb Emory, best known as the WSB Skycopter traffic reporter, a member of the County's Animal Advisory Board.

"I don't guess it is official until Commission meets," said Emory in an email. "I offered my help to Chairman Worthan in anyway I could when I heard about some of the issues at the shelter. If the Commission decides they would like me to serve, I'll do my best to represent the citizens and animals of the County as we continue to grow.

"I thank Chairman Worthan for having the confidence to recommend I fill the vacancy on the board," he said.

Emory reports traffic for morning and afternoon commuters for WSB Radio. He has been a resident of Douglas County since the 1970s. He maintains a website as an information portal for fans as well as a public service for young drivers.

"Emory joined McKee’s Hometown Radio Show at WSB in 1991," according to his online bio at WSB Radio. "Capt. Herb watches over the interstates during the week (working both AM and PM Drive shifts) and hosts a NASCAR racing talk-show on Saturdays with his wife Karen."

Controversy started at the Douglas County Animal Shelter shortly after a new shelter director was hired, Rick Smith. Tracy Thompson was the kennel supervisor for three years, but joined the shelter's field supervisor and resigned shortly after Smith was hired.

Carl Pyrdum, an Animal Control Advisory Board member was removed by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners.

More than 10,000 signatures have been gathered since February, on an online petition to remove Smith.

"New Douglas County animal shelter director Rick Smith is making numerous changes at Douglas County Animal Control, all of which will result in more animals being killed," read the online petition, posted by Douglas Animal Advocates Network. "Rick’s proposed new animal ordinance updates will make him judge, jury and executioner and will give him even more power to kill animals."

Related Douglasville Patch articles:

Photo Gallery: Residents Protest Animal Control Director

Controversy Rages Over New Animal Shelter Director

Douglasville Patch blogs written by Carl Pyrdum:

Will the BOC Listen To the People?