West Newsmagazine 12-4-19

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14 I NEWS I December 4, 2019 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE A Christmas Gift? Law Matters I recently heard from a client about an estate planning mess that could have been avoided. Although this particular story is hearsay, I know from experience that these kinds of things regularly happen. Bill (these are not their real names) had been married to Julie for years. Together they raised three wonderful children. After the kids were grown, Julie got sick and died, leaving Bill a widower at a young age (relatively speaking). After Julie’s death, Bill lived alone for several years, but that can be tough. Older singles get isolated. Most of their friends are married, so they can feel like the odd man out socially. So Bill became lonely. After some time, Bill met Debra. Debra was a lovely lady. Her husband had also died after they had raised two children. Bill and Debra grew to love one another, and they decided to marry. The kids were actually happy to see their parents so happy. Bill and Debra had a happy life together. They trusted each other completely. They bought a house together; they invested their money together; they had a joint bank account; and they named each other as their beneficiaries on their IRAs. As time when on, Bill noticed that Debra was forgetting things. It was almost unnoticeable at first, but it grew progressively worse. Debra was finally diagnosed with dementia. Bill took care of her as best he could, but he himself was aging. The stress and strain proved too much, and Bill died. Since Bill and Debra had not done any planning, Debra’s kids had her declared incompetent, and opened up a conservatorship to manage her money and pay her bills. Debra did not survive Bill long, and she soon passed away. That’s when Bill’s kids had an unpleasant surprise. On Bill’s death everything passed over to Debra, including Bill’s IRA. It wasn’t a malicious thing, but it just happened. So when Debra died, everything went to her children. Nothing was left for Bill’s kids. Bill’s kids were understandably upset. Although you can’t wrap it up in a nice box and put a pretty bow on it (or maybe you can), I would like to suggest a Christmas present for your family: a well thought out estate plan. It’s not a cool present, but it may be one of the best gifts you can give. Give me a call if you want to talk. And Merry Christmas! with estate planning is always know what to expect. Fred has gathered some of the most interesting examples he knows into an entertaining and eduactional book. at ae t t is available to order online at www.lawmatters.net Fred L. Vilbig is an attorney with over 30 years of experience in the areas of wills and trusts, small businesses, and real estate. This column is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein should be treated as legal advice or as creating an attorney-client relationship. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. (636) 537-7884 | fvilbig@shandselbert.com | www.law-matters.net St. Louis County ushers in changes at animal shelter By JEFFREY BRICKER Sam Page has talked a lot about change in his short tenure as the County Executive for St. Louis County. Although change can be defined in many different ways, recent changes in St. Louis County have equated to new faces in vital positions, and St. Louis County Animal Care and Control [ACC] is no exception. That trend continued recently with the announcement that Mandy Ryan was being appointed as the new population manager at the St. Louis ACC. Ryan is an Ellisville resident who owns a dog training business and runs a not-for-profit animal advocacy group called Missouri K-9 Friends, a fosterbased 501(c)(3) dog rescue group. Ryan has been an advocate and friend to canines all her adult life. “When I was 14 I got my first job at a kennel walking dogs,” Ryan said, adding her other professional experiences included serving as an animal control officer, a vet technician, and various other roles at animal shelters and centers. Accepting the new position was not an easy decision for her. Ryan knew she would have to give up her business and step back from the daily management of Missouri K-9 Friends. But she felt compelled to take the opportunity from her understanding of the current need at ACC. “I’m going to implement an animal behavior program. I’m going to be evaluating all the animals in the shelter and be regularly evaluating them,” Ryan said. She also said she plans for a foster program at the ACC which is something Ryan says she’s successfully implemented with Missouri K-9 Friends. “The rescue community is crucial to the success of the shelter,” Ryan said. “I know there’s been controversy recently, but every decision being made now is in the best interest of the animals.” Ryan believes her years of local advocacy work rescuing dogs will not only equip her for the new position but also help her win over other local advocates and ACC volunteers who have often been at odds with St. Louis County officials. “I do know a lot of people in the rescue community and I know I have their support,” Ryan said. She will be on-site in her new job in mid- December. Spay and Neutering Program In addition to hiring Ryan, another major concern raised by animal advocates around @WESTNEWSMAG WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM Mandy Ryan, President of the Missouri K-9 Friends and newly appointed Manager of Population Control at St. Louis ACC. [Mandy Ryan photo] St. Louis County is being addressed by County officials. After several weeks without a full-time veterinarian on staff, the St. Louis County ACC announced on Nov. 15 a new initiative to address the health needs among shelter animals. The St. Louis County Department of Public Health, which manages the ACC, announced that it will contract with outside providers for spaying and neutering, as well as emergency surgeries and medical services. By leveraging outside contractors for spaying and neutering, the ACC will be able to overcome what has been a major obstacle to pet adoption of late. “Spaying or neutering is the best way to reduce the number of unwanted and stray animals, and it’s the right thing to do for the dogs and cats in our care,” said Acting Public Health Director Spring Schmidt. “Alterations must happen before being adopted, and we are taking the steps needed to provide those services until new full-time veterinarians can be hired.” Rebooting the Volunteer Program The announcement was the latest in several major changes at the ACC. The most controversial change came a few weeks ago when the Department of Public Health announced it was “rebooting” its volunteer program at the ACC. In that process, more than 400 active volunteers were released and asked to reapply, be interviewed and complete a new orientation/training. That move sparked outrage among animal advocates who showed up in large numbers at several St. Louis County Council meetings See ANIMAL SHELTER, page 18
FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM Over a year later, new executive director appointed to county shelter By JEFFREY BRICKER For the first time in over a year and half, St. Louis County Animal Care and Control [ACC] has a full-time leader. Dr. Vanessa M. R. Duris has been named the new Executive Director for the ACC in an announcement released on Nov. 21. Duris started her new role on Nov. 18. Duris fills a leadership void that played a role in the increasing chorus of criticism that has been leveled at the ACC and St. Louis County officials. Although county leaders solicited the input of an outside vendor through an extensive audit of the animal shelter earlier this year, critics have voiced concerns that implementing the recommended changes from the audit report has been too slow to come. With the announcement of the hiring of Duris, St. Louis County has made several sweeping changes over the past few weeks, including a “rebooted” volunteer program and the hiring of Missouri K9 Friends’ president Mandy Ryan to serve as ACC’s new population manager. “ACC has faced significant challenges in the last few years, including the implementation of the audit recommendations. Finding the right leader with proven knowledge and success in this role is a huge win for the animals, the community and the Department of Health,” Department of Health Acting Director Spring Schmidt said in a statement. Duris said, “I am thrilled for the opportunity to positively impact the lives of both the animals and the community that this shelter serves.” Duris comes with prior experience in shelter operations, including previous work at the Iberville [Louisiana] Shelter and Animal Control. Duris implemented successful adoption, foster and volunteer programs that resulted in re-homing thousands of animals while collaborating successfully with local animal rights advocates and volunteers. “I firmly believe together we can help the community realize the potential this shelter has by establishing high quality, high volume spay/neuter clinics, increasing adoption, implementing foster programs and working with a main portion of this culture, the volunteers,” Duris said. “It can be done.” For All Your Holiday Needs! December 4, 2019 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE I NEWS I 15 Your life, your way And your home at the new Cedarhurst of Des Peres Assisted Living | Memory Care Formerly Provision Living, the new Cedarhurst of Des Peres understands that each assisted living and memory care resident has a unique story. We want to hear yours. Together, we’ll build a relationship centered on a customized care plan and supported by trust, community, safety and fun. We promise: • The optimal balance of independence and support • Committed, compassionate caregivers and staff • Life-enriching activities • Chef-prepared dining options • More of what you want; less of what you don’t To schedule a personal tour, or to hear about our introductory time-sensitive offers, please contact us at (314) 582-0887. Not just a place to live. A place to thrive. Catering | Holiday Hams & Turkeys | Gift Cards | Swag Catering: 314.243.8740 Store: 636.529.1898 daliessmokehouse.com 2951 Dougherty Ferry Rd. (63122) 12826 Daylight Circle | Des Peres, MO 63131 CedarhurstDesPeres.com
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