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 Zoo was a gift to the City by the Detroit Zoological Society.
Since they cannot run it properly it should be given back.
"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.""
What kind of "understanding"? There is something fishy afoot. The use of terms like that with zero explanation sends up some red flags.
There talking about a real zoo.
When we lived in the area the Detroit Zoo was one of the only nice places there was to go with kids. Has it changed in the past 6 years?
B/c they're a chocolate city, of course.
Its still nice.
Made by combining rich dark chocolate and tasty white milk.
Of course the white milk, being a fluid, has run off ;)
You know, an "understanding". Get it? (Nudge,nudge, wink,wink)
The "Understanding" probably goes back to the Coleman Young days, where graft was king. He had his name on the zoo sign for long enough.
"You know, an "understanding". Get it? (Nudge,nudge, wink,wink)"
Exactly.
Okay, let's take away all money from whitey business and let's see how well you do on your own...
What a POS. If the blacks are so well to do, why don't you get rid of whitey and you can do what you want with YOUR money. And the Zoo deserves better care...it's out in the burbs...
LOL!! (One of the runners!)
They don't need a zoo - you can walk down a Detroit city street and see animals for free...
/sarc
Glad to hear it. They were doing a lot of expansion there right before we moved. I would hate to see it all go downhill.
In NYC, the city created a similar agreement with the New York Zoological Society (now known as the Wildlife Conservation Society...who own and have run the Bronx Zoo and Aquarium for almost 100 years) They are about 25 years into a 50 year agreement.
The result? The Central Park Zoo is the gem it should be (and the Queens and Prospect park zoos as well) and the animals are being cared for by the best in the field....win win...
""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."
Yes they are, and the "white folks" that own them are called the democratic party. The party tells them what to think and how to vote and they follow along like good little servants. Doesn't she ever wonder why the "black folk" vote in such a huge block for the democrats (of which she is one)? It's simple, the "masters" will take away their welfare, food stamps, and other such government handouts. Then they would have to work on their own.
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