The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPaula Sardinas 8.25.21 Attachment 1FMS Global Strategies, LLC. PO Box 2941 Renton, WA 98059 O: (971) 266-1218 E: info@fmsglobalstrategies.com “We bring people together” Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Danielle Marshall Email: dmarshall@rentonwa.gov Phone: 425-430-7272 1055 South Grady Way Renton, WA 98057 Re: D-194 To the Honorable Members of the Renton Planning Commission: First and foremost, thank you for allowing us to speak on this issue. We understand and respect all the effort it takes to hear from constituents, business owners, and elected officials. Our goal is to provide as much of the facts as possible in a respectful manner. As you consider this issue, we’d like to address something that was brought our attention: Emails and Decorum: We respect the Planning Commission, City Council, and the mayor. As advocates, customers, and owners, those we work with do not engage in threats. We unequivocally denounce such reprehensible behavior. As Justice Ginsburg exemplified, you will make more of an impact on the world if you can learn to "disagree without being disagreeable." • Anyone suggesting we do, is providing false information to a government official. • Your IT Department “may” be able to trace the IP address, which can help to provide the location and owner of a digital device. As I said to Commissioner Alberson, we don’t interrupt or become disrespectful during proceedings as this would be a distraction from the facts; retail pet sales bans do not work. No falsehoods will cause our team to behave out of character. Lobbyists: All sides of this issue have engaged the service of professional lobbyist and advocates. Our registrations are a matter of public records under the RCW. Our side is happy to disclose this, we ask Bailing out Benji do the same (rather than ambushing us in public meetings). Here is more information about the causes we advocate for: • https://www.fmsglobalstrategies.com/wbba FMS Global Strategies, LLC. PO Box 2941 Renton, WA 98059 O: (971) 266-1218 E: info@fmsglobalstrategies.com “We bring people together” • Paula Sardinas’ Effort to Help BIPOC Communities • Environmental Justice: Washington Leading on Climate Action • Statewide Renter Protections are on the Way • New Washington law will help people of color get into the marijuana industry We are very proud to be SMEs in 22 distinct policy areas. Much like elected and appointed officials, we recognized a need for more diversity in public policy. Our goal is to educate, advocate, and allow the facts not emotions to dictate our policy positions. We are proud to support small businesses and workers’ rights. Our clients: The owners of Puppyland/Puppyworld do not now; nor have the ever supported the inhumane or unethical treatment of animals. We have actively participated in the regulatory process. Our clients have: 1. Invited and offered lawmakers and commissioners a site tour of their store to assuage concerns. 2. Availed themselves to all questions and comments from the media, commissioners, local city councils, Mayors, and the other elected officials. (They are more thorough than most businesses). 3. Provided an answer to Commissioner Alberson concerning JAKS. 4. Understand retail sales contracts fall under the purview of the Washington State DFI. Our clients have not received a complaint. 5. Provided written testimony in opposition to this bill and other ordinances. 6. Connect with constituents and citizens in each community they survived. 7. Conducted community resource drives to help those in need. 8. Supported veterans suffering from PSTD with acquiring trained service animals for an average cost of $15,000 (to the owners of Puppyland). 9. Help both able-bodied and those with exceptional needs, find their furry friends. 10. Provided vet notes for the allegations made by a pet owner in an earlier hearing. 11. Offered compliance above what is mandated by the USDA. 12. Attested to having a direct, personal relationship with their breeders and a strenuous vetting process. 13. Offered to extend their guarantees—and to pay vet bills and offer a new “furry friend” when a case is well documented; and the loss of a Puppyland pet is due to no fault of the owner. 14. Offered information regarding the FAQ’s, contracts, and care of their “furry friends”. 15. Puppyland has had their stores vandalized and been subject to hate mail. It’s a matter of public record and was provided in conjunction with the testimony on HB/1424. 16. Our clients do not pay their staff to testify. They testify voluntarily. FMS Global Strategies, LLC. PO Box 2941 Renton, WA 98059 O: (971) 266-1218 E: info@fmsglobalstrategies.com “We bring people together” What the other side is NOT saying: So much of the argument is emotional and personal attacks. Let’s get back to the facts: It’s very hard to adopt a puppy, and some groups have a more difficult time than others. By limiting and banning the sales, you unjustly impact members of the diverse community. Never has the opposition disputed these facts. • UF: What we’re reading about diversity and equity in animal welfare • Time to Rescue the Rescue Dog Industry? - The Regulatory ... • New York Times: Everyone Wants a Rescue Dog—Not Everyone Can Have One. • The Cut: Why Adopting A Rescue Dog Is So Hard Right Now • NBC News: How to Ace Your Pet Rescue Application (really?) • Issaquah, WA: Class- and Race-based Biases as Barriers to Pet Adoption Because we are tasked with reviewing all policies through the lens of equity, it was important for our team to share these facts. Suggestions: • Grandfather in all existing stores; and those who sought a license or permit prior to the adoption of the new rules. • New rules and bans should apply to animal rescue groups, adoption agencies, and “new” pet retail stores. If the ordinances are right for one industry, we want the ethical treatment of all animals. • State laws are typically constitution; we would question whether asking another state to comply with Washington’s RCW is constitutional (which is limited to complying with federal law, i.e., USDA). In closing, as a former citizen of Renton (we now live in Issaquah), we love Renton, the City Council, Planning Commission, and the mayor. It was where we chose to have our home when we relocated to Washington state. Our kids graduated from Liberty High School. Unlike those who are emailing and advocating from Seattle, Olympia, Kent, and other cities, we lived and paid taxes in this beautiful city. We thank you for your consideration as a Planning Council and very much look forward to continuing to work with all of you. In respect and community, Paula F. Sardinas, August 25, 2021, | paulasardinas@fmsglobalstrategies.com | 206-823-9344 ___________________ President & CEO FMS Global Strategies