Robert M. Wisda today resigned his post as director of the County's Division of Animal Control and Humane treatment effective immediately.
In a letter to County Executive Douglas M. Duncan, Wisda said he felt it was "in my best interest and that of my family to move on to other opportunities."
In accepting the resignation, Duncan expressed appreciation for the service that Wisda had provided to the County, adding that "We want to assure residents that services provided by Animal Control will continue uninterrupted."
Police Lt. Drew Tracy will continue in his supervisory role with Animal Control, and Paul Hibler will manage the day-to-day operations. Under a reorganization plan put forth by Duncan in 1996, and approved by the County Council, responsibility for the division falls under the Field Services Division of the Police Department.
Wisda, 41, was selected by County Executive Douglas M. Duncan last November to fill the vacancy which occurred when former director Brian Stone resigned to return to police duty. In the letter, dated May 6, he thanked Duncan and all those who supported his selection and said he had "strived to do his best to serve the residents of Montgomery County."
Prior to accepting the County position, Wisda served with the Rockville City Police for nine years and was responsible for enforcing all provisions of the city's Animal Control Ordinance and State animal cruelty laws. From 1982 to 1984, he was a member of the field services staff of the Montgomery County Humane Society, the organization which operates the County's animal shelter.
In light of this latest resignation, Duncan announced that he intends to send a memo to the County Council once again recommending that the Animal Control director be a merit employee, thereby eliminating the need for Council approval.
"I've said all along that this position should come under the County's merit system, thus removing it from the political arena, but the Council rejected my earlier recommendation." Because repeated attempts to find a permanent director have been unsuccessful, Duncan said, " I think the message is clear, this needs to be a merit position."
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