Nothing Theofan does surprises me anymore. The corruption in Long Beach is so blatant its mind boggling Theofan isn't behind bars. Pretty obvious this classy group of convicts paid Theofan under the table.

Joseph Panzarella (a.k.a. Joe Panz), Anthony “Big Ant” Rossaro, and John “Johnny O” Orlandini
lol what is this the mob

This has got to be a joke.

Bing, badabing. Fuhgeddaboudit!

Arf !!!!

I am confident that Rescue Ink will work hard and ensure the animals are well cared for and quickly adopted. The question NO ONE addresses or asks, for that matter, is why was the contract with Bobbi and the Strays was not renewed. From another report in PATCH the information was that the City paid BAS $47,000 a year. Why are they paying Rescue only 15K and how does Rescue think they can do the job with this little money? Instead of making jokes about Rescue Ink's members names can we keep our eye on ball and ask what will be done for the animals? Bobbi and the Strays who run Freeport Animal Shelter (which is open, not closed as reported) also is an excellent organization with a long track history of good. Again, let's ask how can the stray, abandonded and abused animals be helped by Rescue Ink and what was Bobbi and the Strays not doing that caused the contract to end?

From what I've read, Rescue Ink does some major fundraising all over Long Island and thus has the $ to do the job. But like you suggest, we will watch and see.

A year ago I had much more faith and confidence in this City's administration than I do now. I've watched deal after deal be railroaded through with no public input, no competitive bidding, no vetting of qualifications.

What's going on here? Do the City's officials really think that whatever genius pops into their office and sounds good is worthy of their approval? Is that how this place is managed?

Long Beach has some really smart, wise and experienced people living here. Yes, the City Council probably hears from malcontents all day long, But that's no reason to reject public input, competitive bidding and request for proposals.

Aren't there laws around here that require these?

Or is it truly legal to just dole out these contracts, for better or worse, to anyone who the Council fancies?

This one in particular would be a joke, if so much was not at stake. No qualifications, no financial experience, no plan, criminal backgrounds and disgraceful role models... What's wrong with this city?

Many years ago, the Long Beach Humane Society hired some Penthouse Magazine model "Jeanne Juggs" as their spokesman. She "posed" for "artistic" pictures with the animals.

There must be something in Long Beach water.

I am just glad that people care enough to run a local animal shelter and care for the lost and/or homeless animals. Where will it be located?

The "original" LB Animal Shelter is on the road just north of Pine St. next to where the water tower stands....behind the Hardware store? and the McDonald's "mall"...it's a side street no one traverses! My guess it will be reopened for them.

Thanks, Insider! I thought these problems would have gone away after we dumped the Democrats. Obviously part affiliation makes no difference. This is pretty disappointing. Gosh!

Susan: Even if Bobbi cancelled the contract the question becomes why? Did LB make the terms so difficult her organization couldn't abide? The old LB animal shelter was never a good place and it's my understanding that will be the facility used. There is no tranparency here.

The quote from City Mgr. Theofan: “We have a long standing policy that when someone comes to us first, we’re willing to go into contract with them,” seems a bit hard to believe. I want to think there needs to be more of a qualification than being the first to approach the city, perhaps Mr. Theofan's comments were edited. In this instance I am thrilled that my tax dollars will be used to reopen the shelter. I am a contributor to Rescue Ink and applaud their unorthodox methods of rescuing defenseless animals from the creeps that abuse them.
Diane V.

Susan: Great note and very positive. I like the way you think. Wish everyone was as positive as you! Thanks!

I have personally worked with Rescue Ink for the benefit of the animals, and while they may have checked pasts, their work in rescue helpless, defenseless animals is above reproach. What is the city's exposure in this endeavor, $15,000? I think there is bigger levels of corruption going on in city hall.

why did rescue ink shut down again? june they dissolved their organization.
was it a conflict of interest or more issues within the "group" lol

I question if the cancellation of the "Foundation" precludes any other legal entity they own?
Anyone call the # listed? I will, too. They may have registered one in NYS? More homework to be done for those who have a cynical eye.

I became suspicious of Rescue Ink when they began showing up at Town of Hempstead Board Meetings, praising the TOH Animal Shelter. Joe Panz said there were no problems there, and Steve D even said it was beautiful. Then, they began showing up everywhere with Kate Murray, in an obvious Public Relations campaign to clean up the shelter's image. Why didn’t Rescue Ink get their legions of volunteers to clean up the shelter? Because Rescue Ink supports the Town’s refusal to implement a volunteer program there.

I don't think it's a coincidence that Rescue Ink now got a fast-track contract for LB
Shelter. It looks like more corruption to me.

Why is the Town of Hempstead and City of Long Beach endorsing a group like Rescue Ink, who are not in compliance with NYS and federal laws pertaining to their earnings and financial disclosure requirements. They haven't accounted for donations for a few years. Where has all the money gone? Just another sham charity, I guess.

Unfortunately scams are no stranger to animal charities. The dishonest know that most donors to those causes are driven purely by emotion and won't even consider the possibility that their money is being spent dishonestly. It's not uncommon for a contributor to feel that saving one dog's life is well worth someone squandering a million in donations.

The North Shore Animal League USA is one example. They have been cited by dozens of Attorneys General for illegal practices, and yet their president pays himself $375,000 and lives expense-free in a Sands Point mansion.

Once again, the City Council failed perform due diligence to protect their taxpayers.

Please note, Joann, that it is not me who has a "cynical eye". I prefer to have an "open eye" (lol) until evidence proves me naive. On the other hand thanks for doing all that research. It provided the answer to a question I had posed: they are on file and approved in NYS as a charitable organization. Laws regarding such are not complicated and happily so or no one with an ideal or dream would venture to establish one. As noted in a recent NEWSDAY article charitable organizations employ a significant percentage of NYS taxpayers, so the state will tread lightly before writing any of them off as "criminal" in their untrained bookkeeping procedures, etc., offering technical assistance as necessary. As such I think we need more than is patent right now before we write Rescue INK off as an organization from which taxpayers need to be protected. A note: I have rescued many animals over the years, loving and caring for them throughout their lives. I would not see any harmed, neglected, abused, or used to the advantage of predators.

Did you see that video of the Hempstead Shelter? Those people shough get the death penalty for singing "kill the kitty!" All I care about is that the LB shelter gets air conditioned! Rescue Ink can have $1,000,000 of my tax money -- in fact they should RAISE TAXES and pay VOLUNTEERS!!! It's all about compassion for animals!! What's the matter with you peeps? Someone wants to HELP THE ANIMALS and all you care about is the MONEY?? I COMMEND the CITY for not letting dollars or laws stand in the way of helping ANIMALS!!!

The question becomes do they really want to help the animals or showboat? A person doesn't even have to look as far as their tax returns (thought that is very important) to know something is financially very wrong here. Bobbi and the Strays (Freeport Animal Shelter) was being paid $47,000 a year. RI is getting $15,000 a year. Where is the $32,000? And how does RI think they will run the shelter on that money. Where the money goes when RI fund raise is in question already (i.e., tax returns, non profit status)? I want the best for RI. I want them to suceed for the animals sake. But at the end of the day, simply put, what is the plan?? I see none.

Jeff,I am sorry but I DO NOT believe they are helping the animals.Rescue Ink DEFENDED that dump,in the video! AND the person in it! You are worried about Long Beach not shelter getting a/c? Me too, since again,they defended tohas who has NO a/c in summer and NO HEAT in winter! Come to Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter now that it's summer. No a/c & temps of at least 100 degrees in the kennels.YET the fat cats have a/c in their offices. I agree I want the best for all animals too.My concern IS the animals.I am concerned that Rescue Ink thinks tohas is great! SO how will they run Long Beach? YES,Jeff,that video was deplorable.Go to the shelter now and see these poor animals.WORSE than ever,but Rescue Ink and especially Joe Panz defended it. One of the members even DEFENDED the "kitty killer" and told my friend she's "a nice lady" after the video came out. It isn't about the money for me, but if Rescue Ink can defend a shelter that has an almost $7 MILLION DOLLAR budget when the animals have NO VOLUNTEERS STILL, no toys,bones or blanket, the "kitty killer" as past director, no heat in winter or a/c in summer then what does that tell you? I only mention their financials because they also are not in compliance with NYS laws,and not reporting where the money is going.That usually means that the animals ARE NOT GETTING THE MONEY! Plus they separated from the people who own the sanctuary & are NOT paying them to help those animals like Vesper. So where is the money going then???

@Kathleen, you are correct in what you say. Their only plan is some kind of underhanded dealings with Theofan (former Town of Hempstead Commissioner of Economic Development). Theofan seems to be "paying back" the thugs of rescue for praising Town of Hempstead animal shelter, and his pal Kate Murray. Despite it being a complete sewer and Murray being a complete liar and refusing to help the shelter's animals. They start by posting that they are giving $15,000,but wait..that's just for starters. Once they are in they will keep getting more. AND if Rescue Ink can't handle their donations legitimately ,how will they handle our tax dollars? How will they run a shelter when the ultimate model for them is Tohas(aka the "kill the kitty" shelter)? Be VERY AFRAID,animal lovers!

For anyone who is interested, Joe “Panz” Panzarella of Rescue Ink will be speaking tonight at the West End Neighbors Association meeting. The meeting is at 7PM and will be held at the People’s Church (Delaware and W. Park Ave.)

With all of the problems (mostly people problems) that LB shelter had, its volunteers and humane commissioner ran a tight ship when it came to the animals. It was reorganized by the Humane Commissioner when the city took it back. There was a trust fund for extras (that was not for profit) so special needs for the animals(including extrordinary veterinary care)could be attended to. There were adoption events at Petco, Petland, Waldbaums and other places. I was one of those volunteers(and I spent hours, and hours and HOURS per week) and I can tell you it ran better than Freeport and better than a lot of other shelters out there. It was more organized, the dogs and cats were well cared for and the protocols for animal care were reorganized as well. There is NO WAY on God's green earth that this shelter can be run on 15000 dollars. It is gutted and having stood idle now since 2007, it is in need of major repairs. There is NO way that this organization is going to care for our animals the was we did because they have absolutely zero experience running a shelter, organizing it and understanding the needs of OUR community. BTW.....So, it was supposed to open July 1. Then August 1, then Sept 1 and now.........Well, YOU get the idea. And our animals are STILL uncared for. Where is the City's accountability here? I am sorry Long Beach, this is a disaster, and you don't even know it.

I've just discovered Rescue Ink on NETFLIX and it has changed my life forever. In 2 short days, with my small town celebrity status and Facebook, I've already begun recruiting key leaders and volunteers to start our own volunteer group to raise awareness and money and volunteer for animals needs and getting them adopted with a fun punk rock edge to it. I've been spreading the word like wildfire and now I find out that its been shut down???? WTF???? Its not going to Hinder my plans, but I'm distraught at the thought of Rescue Ink dissolved! The TV show is a brilliant idea to bring awareness to those who wouldn't typically take interest in saving or helping animals even in small ways. ANYTHING is better than nothing. So refreshing to see tuff guys who care apposed to the ridiculous PETA tactics who do more damage than good to the cause. What a shame.

I am here to tell you that Rescue Ink preys on less fortunate animal rights groups. My group did 6 months of research uncovering an animal abuser. We were tricked into letting them in on the work at the very tail end. This was right around the time they were trying to get their show aired. In the end they threatened my people with physical violence and financial ruin via lawsuit if we didn't allow them to take credit for their work. They were always very careful the way they delivered the worst of the threats-always using a third party and nothing in writing. Well, what do you know, the threats stopped as soon as they were taken off the air. Lastly, they told us flat out that they were renegging on the reward they promised to help the cause.