Article published Jun 20, 2007

City extends Humane Society contract for a month

By RICHARD PETERSON

Tribune Staff Writer

An Ulm woman who conducts obedience training for dogs found herself in handcuffs Tuesday night after violating the City Commission's three-minute comment period during its regular meeting, and allegedly punching a police officer while being escorted out of city hall.

Susan Overfield, of 251 Gordon Road, was charged with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct. She was cited and released late Tuesday, Great Falls Police Chief Corky Grove said.

Minutes after the commission voted unanimously to extend the city's animal-control contract with the Human Society of Cascade County for 30 days, Overfield accused the mayor and commissioners of having a "behind-the-scenes agenda" and conspiring to hand the contract over to the city's police department.

Prior to the extension, the contract with the Human Society was slated to end June 30, but commissioners said they needed more time to craft a long-term plan for the society and its animal shelter. The city pays the society $115,000 annually to run the shelter and provide animal-control services under the current contract.

The City Commission is considering a more expensive proposal from the Great Falls Police Department to provide those services instead.

At the end of an uneventful meeting, Overfield approached the podium during the public comment period and accused city leaders of attempting to pull the contract out from under the Humane Society.

"This bid-award process is corrupted," Overfield said as a buzzer sounded, warning her that her three minutes had expired. "Specific people are manipulating the bid and awarding process for personal gain."

After being warned by Mayor Dona Stebbins that her comment time was up, Overfield continued and said the alleged conspiracy needed to be brought to light. Stebbins then asked for Overfield's removal.

Detective Art Schalin approached Overfield, who refused to leave. The officer grabbed her arm and attempted to escort her out of the chambers.

Overfield, a financial supporter of the Humane Society, became combative as an unidentified male who accompanied Overfield approached Schalin. Police Chief Corky Grove and Sgt. Larry Brooks joined Schalin at the podium. Brooks and Schalin then grabbed onto the dog trainer and carried her out of the council chambers with Grove just steps behind. Overfield remained uncooperative as the officers held her arms back while taking her out of the meeting.

Outside the chambers, Overfield landed a punch to Schalin's lower body, Grove said. The officers handcuffed her and took her outside the building, where she was cited and released, he added.

After the meeting adjourned, Stebbins said Overfield's accusations were "groundless," adding that the commission needs to look more closely at the issue because she believes the local chapter of the Humane Society is in disarray.

Stebbins said there are multiple problems at the shelter and it needs to be put back into order.

Stebbins said the commission extended the contract for 30 days to "make a more informed decision" when it decides to award the final contract.

Overfield is probably the first person arrested after violating the commission's three-minute comment rule, Grove said.

"She's the first victim of the city's three-minute rule," quipped Mary Jolley, an audience member at the commission meeting.