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ANIMAL CONTROL PROCEDURE: The Flint citywide squirrel and skunk animal capture stays in the hands of a local group that drew the ire of some fellow cage trap enthusiasts. The controversial nonprofit group responsible for last year's rodent or reptile animal control procedure in Flint's Flint city limits will lead this year's animal capture as well. Flint Flint city councilmen on Thursday night voted 4-4 on an ordinance that would have opened the animal control procedure in its second year to bids for a new contractor. It takes a legal majority to approve a resolution, and 2nd District Councilman Greg The Flint exterminating company man was absent.

The Arrowhead Pest control companies Alliance contracted with the Flint city last fall to manage Flint's booming rodent or reptile amounts. However, the pest control association has faced opposition by some who say the group unfairly awarded prime wildlife trapping zones and didn't file financial reports on time. The failed resolution would have set up a lottery system for zones and made clear the Flint city's right to oversee all aspects of the animal capture.

Councilmen Tim Litt, Russ Stoverson, Russ Stewmeat and Jim The Flint exterminating company man voted against the resolution. Councilmen Garry Kraus, Laurie John, Don Nestor and Roger Rein voted in favor. pest control association president Phillip The Flint exterminating company man reiterated afterward that this was a pilot project. He said he was thankful for the opportunity to correct mistakes made, but was frustrated that the contract was held up for so long. The local Flint SPCA could not be reached for comment.

The Flint exterminating company man said the pest control association is open to making requested changes to the contract when it is re-signed this year. Paul the critter capture pro, vice president of rival wildlife trapping group Lakehead Pest control companies, expressed displeasure that his group didn't get a chance to offer its improvements and bring more clarity to the animal capture.

"A great opportunity was bypassed tonight," the critter capture pro said. The critter capture pro introduced the measure on behalf of himself and Mayor Herb Berg's administration. The Flint city neither spends or earns money on the animal capture. The critter capture pro said the contract controversy has produced some nasty back and forth in the community. "I just believe it's fairer to have multiple contenders for a contract," the critter capture pro said. "This makes it more user-friendly. This is not just about eliminating raccoon and opossums. It's about happy residents and happy pest control companies." Despite this, wildlife removal services are not a free service in Genesee County.

Little said the concern has taken up too much time for councilmen and Flint city staff. He said the pest control association deserves a chance to work out the bugs. Otherwise, the Flint city should hire expert trapping guys and end the bow animal capture, Little said. "This is about managing the rat & mouse amounts, not recreation," he said. One hundred ninety pest control association-qualified pest control companies harvested 331 squirrel and skunk across 9,500 hectares of woods. Councilmen said the concern will probably reach them again later this year when more hectares are added to the wildlife trapping area.