Montcalm County Animal Control officer named new director
New Montcalm County Animal Control Director Angela Sova-Hollinshead holds Lexie, one of 52 dogs that were seized from a Sheridan residence last week, along with 10 cats. The animals may be available for adoption after court proceedings are finalized. — Daily News/Elisabeth Waldon
STANTON — Montcalm County Animal Control has a director once again.
The Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Monday to promote Angela Sova-Hollinshead from officer to director of Animal Control and the Animal Shelter.
Controller-Administrator Chris Hyzer has been overseeing Animal Control for the past year since Patricia Lentz lost her job as director as part of county budget cuts in September 2011. Sova has been the only full-time employee for Animal Control since then.
“I haven’t heard as many complaints coming back from the public,” said Hyzer of Sova’s job performance. “The staff has done well. I just think a better structure should be in place and we should have a director there to handle things on a day-to-day basis. That’s what they’re lacking right now, besides more staff. A director could probably give a better vision for Animal Control as they move forward. I think it would be a better structure and all the employees would have someone to answer to on a day-to-day basis.”
Sova-Hollinshead will earn an annual salary of $39,158, or $3,768.44 more than what she earned as an officer, including overtime.
I think (Sova-Hollinshead) is very capable of stepping into that job,” Hyzer said. “It’s a small cost to promote (Sova-Hollinshead) compared to what she’s making now.”
Sova-Hollinshead is a 2006 graduate of Greenville High School and a current Greenville resident.
Before Monday’s promotion, Sova-Hollinshead already had her hands full as an Animal Control officer, helping seize a total of 52 dogs and 10 cats from a Sheridan residence last week after Animal Control received a complaint about the residence. The seized animals may be available for adoption after court proceedings are finalized. Until then, the Animal Shelter in Stanton is full and overflow animals have been sent to the Kent County Animal Shelter in Grand Rapids.
“I’m very excited about my new position,” Sova-Hollinshead told The Daily News. “I have a lot of positive ideas for Animal Control and the Animal Shelter.”
The Montcalm County Animal Shelter is open from 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Fridays and from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Call the Animal Shelter at (989) 831-7355 for more information.
Elisabeth Waldon
Elisabeth Waldon is news editor of The Daily News, where she began as an intern in 2001. Her beat includes courts/cops/crime and Montcalm County government. She is also editor of The Carson City Gazette. She loves investigative reporting, telling small-town stories, frequenting music halls, experimenting with photography and being a wife and mother in the "Panhandle" of Montcalm County.Elisabeth Waldon has written 556 articles.
Seriously??? The new Animal Control Director??? Are our police officers all hired back in the county??? I should hope so. What are Angie’s credentials??? Does she even have a degree?? Was this just a who you know type hire??? Sure sounds like it. She has been there for a year and nothing has changed. Why are all the 52 dogs piled up two and 3 in the same cage?? They are no better off being in Mrs. Sova Hollinshead hands than the original owner!! As a big hero and director, shouldnt she of been working with other rescues in the area?? It made the news, I’m sure other rescues have even offered their help. But then again, this is Montcalm County for you! There is alot of people out there with degrees and experience, maybe this should’ve been a posted position! As a taxpayer, it would actually be nice to see the education back ground on the both of the officers. Why was Mr. Walrath not offered?? Sure does sound skeptical!!