ODESSA, Texas — What started as a hopeful plea for support turned into a tense exchange at Odessa City Hall during the week of May 12.
Fix West Texas, a nonprofit based in Midland, had asked the City of Odessa to match a $10,000 donation it received from a national rescue organization. The funding would have gone toward expanding their low-cost spay and neuter voucher program in Odessa — which service founder Karen Patterson said is desperately needed.
Instead of a unanimous vote of support, the request sparked a heated debate.
“I just don’t think we need your services,” said Councilman Steven Thompson during the meeting.
Patterson, who has operated the nonprofit for years, said she was taken aback by the public opposition and resistance.
“I really feel like his head is in the sand, and he thinks Odessa Animal Control has it all taken care of,” Patterson said. “But the fact of the matter is—if they did, then this wouldn’t be an issue right now.”
The council ultimately voted 4-1 to reject the funding match.
“We knew there was a chance that they would say no, and we were OK with that,” Patterson said. “We were prepared to raise the funds if they said no, but we were a little blindsided that Councilman Thompson took it upon himself to attack Fix West Texas. The money that he was talking about—that was ‘cash’—was not cash. It was money raised and designated for our new clinic, which is a $1.5 million clinic.”
Not every council member disagreed with Patterson’s mission. Councilman At-large Craig Stoker voiced his continued support for the organization and encouraged the public to get involved.
“I’m again supportive of this measure,” Stoker said. “I know that not everybody was, and I encourage anybody who wants to support the Fix West Texas spay and neuter match to go on their website or social media. They’re accepting donations. Once they get to that $10,000, it unlocks a four-to-one match.”
Since the meeting, Patterson said members of the public have stepped up — including one Midland resident who surprised her with a generous donation.
“I told him the story, and he said, ‘So how much were you asking for?’ And I said, ‘$10,000.’ He said, ‘Well, I want you to go back to City Councilman Thompson and tell him that a Midland resident wrote you a check for that $10,000 you needed,’” said Patterson.
While the city’s vote was disappointing, Patterson said the support from regular citizens has been more meaningful than any council approval.
“If the City Council supports us or doesn’t support us is neither here nor there,” she said. “We’re really for the people, by the people. And to know that the everyday Joe has us in their hearts and minds and is making the donations — it means so much more to us.
