City of Trenton officials have created a strange version of the popular rhyme of Old Mother Hubbard. The Capital City rendering shows the famous female animal companion armed with dog treats from her cupboard and headed to the Columbus Kennels on Route 206 in nearby Burlington County. But, when she got there, the kennels were bare and Ms. Hubbard sent cursed words up in the air. She had every right as a taxpaying Trenton resident. In May, city officials paid an estimated $350,000 for Columbus Kennels, hoping that the purchase could alleviate overcrowding at the Trenton Animal Shelter where 100 dogs had been housed for a facility built to accommodate 20 dogs. Plus, Trenton had shelled out more than 1.2 million (it’s significantly more now) to provide room and board for 60 dogs at a kennel in Yardley,Pa. In April, Mayor Reed Gusciora signed an executive order that moved TAS under the police department’s jurisdiction. The order created a new animal welfare advisory board and tabbed Trenton Police Dept. Lt. Alexis Durlacher as the shelter’s chief. Durlacher told The Trentonian the kennels in Columbus, with an estimated 40 runs, awaits inspection. Columbus Kennels is about 13 miles south on Route 206. ************ In other City of Trenton news, A.Z. Johnson no longer acts as public information officer/spokesperson for the capital city. Apparently, Johnson holds a similar position with the Recreation Department. Wait. What? A spokesperson for the Recreation Department sounds rather extravagant for a city under financial duress. One would hope that Interim Recreation Director Paul Harris could handle communications. Regardless, another vacancy exists in an important city position. By the way, former Trenton spokesperson Kent Ashworth who served under Douglas H. Palmer, ranks as the most skilled and reputable person to serve in that capacity. Ashworth, a great communicator, held the PIO position for eight years. He added wisdom, charm, and passion to the city landscape while life experiences made him perfect for communication of issues pertaining to urban life, education, criminal Justice, and advocacy for children. ********** City Council Chambers filled with many former political power brokers Thursday as former Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer received the honor to have his name affixed to the Annex of City Hall. From left, Len Pucciatti, Eric Tunstall and former Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) Forget any attempt to post all persons present for a historic affair that included a unanimous vote by City Council on the Palmer ordinance. One guy, and this acknowledgement does not dismiss all other people in the room, deserves mention. Len Pucciatti, former director of Inspections for the City of Trenton, showed on a night when City Council Chambers nearly filled to capacity. Pucciatti, an accomplished musician (drums), shined during his time as head of one of the most important positions in Trenton government. He served under Mayor Palmer and delivered professional attention to all aspects of Inspections. Always straight forward and honest, Pucciatti accepted responsibility for issues involving inspections and rarely basked in the bright light of his accomplished career. While Palmer enjoyed his night, one could peruse City Council Chambers and identify many persons who contributed to his success. Len Pucciatti certainly earned such acknowledgment for his amazing service to the City of Trenton. As musician James Brown once implored — Give the drummer some! L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at [email protected].