Posted on 02/21/2006 8:34:12 AM PST by Tokra
The Future of the Detroit Zoo
By Kimberly Craig & Dave LewAllen
Web produced by Sarah Morgan
February 20, 2006
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.
What is even MORE tragic is that the voters of Detroit keep electing this piece of wrok - Barbara-Rose Collins!
"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.
Well, her COLOR is COLORING her JUDGEMENT.
Kinda ironic, given that it was the Dems who fought to preserve slavery.
If the Dems had their way, we'd all be on the Plantation.
Of course, that would be good for the environment, too. Just a little bonus.
If you identify someone that is clearly and demonstrably incompetent AS incompetent, and oh if that individual is a minority, then you are a racist. Plain and simple, those are the rules.
You got it, Abe. Right on the button. One of the strongest positions in American civil service today is to be incompetent and be a minority member. Your job security is unassailable.
Ray Nagin and Kathleen Blanco come to mind.
"The symbolism is that Detroit is a black city and that we’re unable to govern ourselves."
That's not the symbolism. That's the reality.
No telling what has happened to it since.
This is so pathetic I don't know what to say. Detriot is no better than some third world nations. I think its very apparent they can't govern themselves.
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."
Given that elephants and lions and monkeys and zebras are all involved in this brouhaha, I think a Tarzan analogy would have worked better than the plantation one.
Plus, not enough people go with the Tarzan thing, so it's not as hackneyed.
T'aint the color. T'is the party....
"Council member Martha Reeves"
Is this the same Martha Reeves who sang with Martha and the Vandellas (Motown).
Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner here. I live just outside of the city. This is a fact. Moreover, this quote:
"Whoever runs the zoo should have an understanding with the city council." Means they must be African American.
"Whoever runs the zoo should have an understanding with the city council."
So the circus will be running the zoo? LOL
The Detroit Zoo isn't even located in Detroit, otherwise it would've closed years ago.
the spirit of coleman young lives on ( it's all the hostile white suburbanites fault )...
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