Posted on 02/21/2006 10:00:27 AM PST by Abathar
Detroit’s financial mess has put the Detroit Zoo on the endangered list. City council members said their vote was not to close the zoo, but some felt they were being bullied by a state deadline and lawmakers who look down on Detroit.
Council member Barbara-Rose Collins said the state’s deadline for the city to sign over zoo operations to the Zoological society boiled down to disrespect. Many council members felt they were being bullied into handing over zoo operations without an agreement they were comfortable with.
Some city council members said they were largely opposed to giving $10 million in capital improvement funds to the society and paying almost $1 million a year for insurance and security without getting any of the revenue.
City council members said they also wanted to have a say in who would be hired as the director.
Council member Martha Reeves said, "Whoever runs the zoo should have an understanding with the city council. And it was not clear what the actual agreement was, it was never completed."
Collins said, "The symbolism is that Detroit is a black city and that we’re unable to govern ourselves. So we need an overseer, the state legislature, or what have you, to step in and tell us what we must do and how to do it."
She said she will not sign off on an operating agreement until it protects Detroit’s interests and the state should not try to force them with a funding deadline.
"That is a racist attitude. I resent it very much. I’m trying not to let it color my judgments, but we’re not a plantation, blacks aren’t owned by white folks anymore," said Collins.
The Kilpatrick administration and the Zoological society proposed an agreement that council rejected on Monday. A spokesperson for the mayor said the process of closing the zoo has begun. But, she added, the door is still open to discussions with council members should they come up with an alternate plan.
City Council members said they will work with the mayor to raise funds to keep the zoo open.
"I don’t believe that the zoo will close, I believe that the zoological society and the city council will come to an agreement," said Collins.
Governor Jennifer Granholm said, "We asked the legislature to approve $4 million to allow the Detroit Zoo to continue. Obviously it’s a cultural gem and I hope that the Detroit City Council does what it needs to do to make sure that gem continues."
Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. council members will hold a press conference at the city county building to address questions about the zoo’s future.
3,000 animals call the Detroit Zoo home. 130 workers are employed there and 25 are employed by the Detroit Zoological Society. All would be impacted by the zoo’s closing.
Senior Zoo Keeper Bestsie Davis said, "They’ve become like a second family to me. I take care of them every day. I look forward to coming to the zoo every day. I love this job, even on the coldest day of the year I here and I’m ready to go. I hope these animals recognize me and that my commitment to them is extreme."
According to Zoo Director Ron Kagan, if the zoo closed the animals would be sent to other accredited zoos or sanctuaries across the country.
"It would be very tragic," he said.
About 1 million people visit the zoo annually.
The Detroit Lions need to be turned over to a more capable group, too.
...should have an understanding with the city council...
We know what that means ($$$).
...not a plantation anymore ...
Yes you are, but the councils is da massa.
This really isn't about the dems, it's about the city council. Kwame (dem) had this set up so that the Zoological Society would take over. All but 2 members of City Council rejected this, probably because they can't stand to lose control of anything. Letting Kwame look good would be much worse.
And the zoo being one of the few nice places in the area? The zoo is in Royal Oak. Liberal but a nice area.
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