Ribbon Cutting for Animal Control Center
Reproduced with permission from Rae Drady, The Sealy News
Officials and family who gathered to dedicate the new Gary Kollatschny Animal Control Facility in Sealy said the building is a fitting memorial to a man who put animals and the city first. “It’s a very special occasion for all of us,” said Sealy Police Chief Jay Reeves Friday, April 22. “We’ve been trying to get a facility built for several years, and we were just about at that point but then COVID hit.” Kollatschny retired from Southwestern Bell after 32 years and then served as the Sealy animal control officer from 2004 until his death Oct. 23, 2019. Animal control is a function of the Police Department. “If you knew Gary, Gary did something for you,” the chief added. “Something positive, something that you remember him for. Gary made a major impact on everyone in our department and all the citizens here. He did a wonderful job with all the animals that we had here and giving so many people their forever pets.” Reeves lauded the many people and funders that helped make the new building in Kollatschny’s memory a reality. “(The) Mark A Chapman Foundation with their very generous contribution … made this possible,” the chief said. “Ryker Construction, thank you so much for the outstanding job that you did here. PUPS (Pupsofcatspring.com)… there’s just many different people and entities that helped us to get to the point that we are.” According to the chief, officials at City Hall including the Mayor, City Manager, and others proved instrumental in bringing the project to fruition, including approving the name. “They were just as excited about naming this facility after Gary as all of us were,” he said. Even businesses pitched in to assist, he said. “The Sign Company stepped in and when they found out who the sign was being named for, they did it at 50 percent cost for us,” Reeves told listeners. “Everything that you see here didn’t come out of the city’s funds, it was complete donations. That’s because Gary touched everybody’s lives.” Kollatschny’s family members and other residents at the ceremony also expressed appreciation for Reeves, the mayor, the City Council and others involved in creating the facility. Attendees shared stories about Kollatschny, witnessed the unveiling of a sign bearing his name, and applauded the ribbon cutting. A tour of the building followed. “This is Gary’s legacy,” Reeves said.
Officials and family who gathered to dedicate the new Gary Kollatschny Animal Control Facility in Sealy said the building is a fitting memorial to a man who put animals and the city first. “It’s a very special occasion for all of us,” said Sealy Police Chief Jay Reeves Friday, April 22. “We’ve been trying to get a facility built for several years, and we were just about at that point but then COVID hit.” Kollatschny retired from Southwestern Bell after 32 years and then served as the Sealy animal control officer from 2004 until his death Oct. 23, 2019. Animal control is a function of the Police Department. “If you knew Gary, Gary did something for you,” the chief added. “Something positive, something that you remember him for. Gary made a major impact on everyone in our department and all the citizens here. He did a wonderful job with all the animals that we had here and giving so many people their forever pets.” Reeves lauded the many people and funders that helped make the new building in Kollatschny’s memory a reality. “(The) Mark A Chapman Foundation with their very generous contribution … made this possible,” the chief said. “Ryker Construction, thank you so much for the outstanding job that you did here. PUPS (Pupsofcatspring.com)… there’s just many different people and entities that helped us to get to the point that we are.” According to the chief, officials at City Hall including the Mayor, City Manager, and others proved instrumental in bringing the project to fruition, including approving the name. “They were just as excited about naming this facility after Gary as all of us were,” he said. Even businesses pitched in to assist, he said. “The Sign Company stepped in and when they found out who the sign was being named for, they did it at 50 percent cost for us,” Reeves told listeners. “Everything that you see here didn’t come out of the city’s funds, it was complete donations. That’s because Gary touched everybody’s lives.” Kollatschny’s family members and other residents at the ceremony also expressed appreciation for Reeves, the mayor, the City Council and others involved in creating the facility. Attendees shared stories about Kollatschny, witnessed the unveiling of a sign bearing his name, and applauded the ribbon cutting. A tour of the building followed. “This is Gary’s legacy,” Reeves said.
