Subject: Ray Sim

• More (Somewhat Meandering, But Nevertheless Entertaining) Tales Of BARC Incompetence

  Photo by Daniel KramerWe're pretty sure the dude who coined that phrase about a hard task being akin to "nailing jelly to a wall" wasn't referring to getting news out of BARC, but he could've been.For one thing, Health and Human Services did not tell the media when BARC hired its new chief, Ray Sim. Of course, this information had been known by local animal activists for weeks. And of course, Sim's hiring actually doesn't matter yet, as BARC has had problems with or without a chief. For example,

  May 12, 2009

• An Interview With The New Head Of BARC: This Time, Things Really, Really Will be Fixed. Really

  Photo by Craig MalisowAs BARC's new bureau chief, Ray Sim has his work cut out for him. He now heads an organization that has historically resisted change and ostracized volunteers who have made claims of cruel conditions, with the full support of an administration and city council that believes the best way to deal with things is via bargain-basement lip service. But Sim brings some experience to the table. Most recently, he was the director of Broward County's Animal Care & Regulation. His

  May 22, 2009

• BARC Comes Up With Some Answers, Of A Sort

  Photo by R'eyesWe've got updates on last week's BARC stories; the delays of which could have easily been avoided by proactive public relations, which is apparently anathema to the animal control department of the nation's fourth-largest city.Last week's photo of exposed canine cadavers in the back of a city truck raised a few eyebrows. The photo was taken in February, and Hair Balls wanted to know if this was standard operating procedure, and if there were any health implications. (The pro

  June 15, 2009

• The Chronicle's Columnist, Buying BARC's Spin

  Photo by elvissaToday's Chron column by Lisa Falkenberg, headlined "Finally, a bit of good news out of BARC," might have been more accurately titled "When Public Relations Attacks!" What the column lacks in actual news value and insight, it makes up for by highlighting what might be one of BARC's thorniest, yet largely unacknowledged, problems: God-awful public relations. That's because the article refers to an "estimate" by Bureau Chief Ray Sim that, "as of Wednesday," the percentage of dogs va

  June 25, 2009

• Getting the Spin from BARC: Things are just rosy at the pound, according to the Chronicle

  July 2, 2009

• BARC Chief Is Fired, With Little In The Way Of Explanation

  BARC Bureau Chief Ray Sim was fired today, spokeswoman Kathy Barton confirmed. She would not give specific reasons, saying only "I think it was just an issue of timing...[it was] not the right time for this guy." Sim began his job in May, after the Department of Health and Human Services conducted a seven-month nationwide search to replace the previous chief, Kent Robertson. Barton said that since the "incident command team" will be in charge for the time being, "There will not be a lack of lea

  July 7, 2009

• We Apply to Be BARC's Top Dog. Plus: 10,000-person-strong tea party. maybe.

  July 16, 2009

• An Interview With BARC's Change Agent

  Photo by allygirl520​BARC could install a 3,000-square-foot building to house cats within a month, interim chief Gerry Fusco and Health and Human Services Spokeswoman Kathy Barton told Hair Balls Wednesday. It was a bit of welcome concrete information, something that's been scarce since Fusco was brought on board two weeks ago. During that time, Fusco said, he's been helping in the search for a bureau chief and chief veterinarian, slots he hopes will be filled within the next three mont

  August 13, 2009