Dear Editor,

I’m writing this letter in reference to your lead story on Wednesday, June 6, 2012, “Humane Society’s Wilson moving on.”

From what I understand and what I know, Wilson is a wonderful humanitarian person.

I pray that she does a wonderful job at Mitchell Place, which offers services for children with autism, as she did at the Shelby County Humane Society. Having a sister with special needs, I understand this is a much greater cause.

There is another lady who has spent all of her adult life working for humane treatment and without a doubt would be the perfect replacement for Wilson as the executive director of the Shelby County Humane Society.

She founded the Shelby County Humane Society and with a few others built it up into a nationally recognized humane organization.

There was an injustice done to her in 1992 by the then-Board of Directors, not the membership of the Humane Society, with false accusations that were later proven to be untrue. It cost Anne Speakman her life’s work.

Now, here is an opportunity for the powers to be, including the County Commission, county manager and the Shelby County Humane Society, to allow this lady to go back to her work, even if it is for a short while, until a replacement can be found.

I ask the public, please contact your elected officals and the Humane Society itself to allow her to finish her career with some honor, for without her there would be no Humane Society of Shelby County.

Michael Speakman

Montevallo