Following a report that she overstepped her role and position, a DeLand woman is no longer serving on Volusia County’s Animal Control Advisory Board.
“I got a letter, and I’m livid. I’m disappointed,” Jeannine Colletti told The Beacon. “What they are accusing me of is a false accusation.”
Colletti’s ouster came suddenly, just minutes before the County Council adjourned its Dec. 5 meeting. Council Member Matt Reinhart, who appointed her to the panel, called for her removal.
“It has come to my attention that my appointment to the Animal Control Board, Ms. Jeannine Colletti, has been acting in a manner that does not reflect Volusia County and does not reflect my values,” Reinhart said in his closing remarks via a video-conference link from his home.
Reinhart offered to elaborate on his reasons for wanting Colletti off the panel, but other council members steered away from such a discussion.
“My goal here is not to embarrass her,” he added, just before the council voted unanimously to remove her from the post.
Colletti’s removal became “effective immediately,” pursuant to the motion.
Colletti, long known as an animal-welfare advocate, was ousted from the volunteer committee for allegedly misrepresenting herself as an animal-control officer in an incident at a home whose owner had several puppies awaiting sterilization.
Colletti said she does not recall the exact date — on or about Nov. 11, “somewhere around that time” — of the incident at a home just outside the city limits on DeLand’s east side.
“I was going down New York Avenue, and I heard the sound of a whole bunch of puppies, and I called Animal Control, and I wanted to see what was going on,” she said. “I could hear them but I didn’t have the address.”
Sitting inside her car with the windows rolled down, Colletti added, she could hear several young dogs barking and crying.
“Believe me, I can hear a turtle sneeze,” she said, regarding her keen sense of hearing.
Colletti said she got out of her car to see if she could discern the source and reason for the noise. Standing in front of a home, she continued, a woman came outside to confront her.
“The first words out of her mouth were, ‘What are you doing on my property?’,” Colletti said. “I said, ‘I am not on your property.’ I was on the other side of the fence. I said, ‘I am with Animal Control.’ As God is my judge, I never said I was employed by Animal Control. She said she would call the police.”
Colletti emphasized her self-identification as “with Animal Control,” in her defense of her action. She also said the animal-control officer backed up her claim about alleged trespassing.
“He said, ‘You are correct. You were not on the property,’” Colletti went on to say.
Even so, the story got to the county’s higher-ups and to Reinhart, who mustered a 7-0 vote by the Volusia County Council to boot Colletti from the Animal Control Advisory Board.
The day after the County Council abruptly took her off the panel, Colletti was formally notified she was out. Public Protection Director Mark Swanson, whose span of supervision includes the county’s Animal Services, penned a letter to her that she received via e-mail and first-class mail.
Telling Colletti her “behavior does not reflect the values of Volusia County,” Swanson added, “Members of the Animal Control Board serve at the pleasure of the County Council.”
“You are hereby ordered to cease and desist from representing yourself as a member of the board with authority to act on behalf of the County,” Swanson wrote. “The County had received several citizen complaints that you were representing yourself as having authority of an animal services employee and that you had the authority to enforce animal ordinances. After an investigation which included attempting to reach you, the County was able to substantiate these allegations and determined it appropriate to take immediate action due to the seriousness of your actions.”
Colletti denies she acted improperly, and she says she would like county officials to give her a hearing.
“I’m being falsely accused. I’m concerned about my name and my reputation. This is going to follow me,” she said.
“I’m hurt, and I’m angry. I want proof. Show me the video,” Colletti also told The Beacon. “I think I’m entitled to see the proof. All I want to do is clear my name.”
She said she would like to appeal her dismissal from the Animal Control Board.
The Beacon asked Volusia County authorities for any further information about Colletti’s alleged actions as an Animal Control Board member, but no documentation was immediately available.
Colletti has an ally and friend in her service as an advocate for animals. Karen Clark, who also serves on the Animal Control Board, is standing with Colletti.
“This thing about Jeannine really got me upset, because she was not brought in [for a hearing],” Clark said. “I personally was annoyed that she was not given the chance to face her accuser.”
“I think she got a raw deal on this,” Clark concluded.
Al, youhave been telling it like it IS for years.. You are a Gentleman and Honest. You and my “Beacon” have been a “ Light” to my path all these years. A powerful personal News paper one can Trust. Thank you, Merry Christ mas and Happy prosperous New Year?
Al, youhave been telling it like it IS for years.. You are a Gentleman and Honest. You and my “Beacon” have been a shining light all these years. A powerful personal News paper one can Trust. Thank you, Merry Christ mas and Happy prosperous New Year?
Al, youhave been telling it like it IS for years.. You are a Gentleman and Honest. You and my “Beacon. A powerful personal News paper one can Trust. Thank you, Merry Christ mas and Happy prosperous New Year?
This person gave false accusation that I was on her property which in-fact was established by AC her property was on the Main Rd. Not on side dirt rd outside her fence..where I was… another “ false” accusation. I Will Continue to protect all animals whatever the cost in a legal professional manner always as Always. I am Not Done!!!
Adding to the above, I have since learned Animal Services has done the Same thing to others who worked “With” and For them (false accusations without giving the person accused the opportunity to respond ie “ Guilty before knowing whole true story). After years of being re-elected. They have lost many valuable workers due to their Un American actions. Many, after learning of this situation are actually Hesitant to Report any abuse for Fear of being falsely Accused. After Years of Volunteering, going the Extra mile.. I feel my worth was 00! I Will continue to watch out for Every Animal and assure justice is done… as well as the job of investigations Throughly Finished!!
For the well-being of animals. In time, this Will come back to “ Bite” them exuse the “ Punn”.
I am Still awaiting Response from Councilman requesting a meeting. As well as many “ Other reports Animal Services claim to have per their attorney besides the one initially. To date there is NONE!
Jeannine Colletti