Detroit City Council Decides the City Doesn't Need a Zoo
Not only is this tragic news, but I simply don't understand WHY!?!?!
T
he Detroit City Council has rejected a proposed agreement to transfer daily operations of the Detroit Zoo to the Detroit Zoological Society. The Zoological Society is a private group that provides fundraising and program development for the zoo. The 7-2 vote came Saturday night following two days of City Council discussions. The plan was part of an effort by Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to narrow a municipal budget deficit. This basically means that the zoo is going to close.
Now here is the part that I don't understand at all. Under the agreement, Detroit would have maintained ownership of the zoo. The mayor's office said the deal would have saved the city about $5 million dollars each fiscal year. So let me get this straight... the city would have been accomplishing their goal of saving money, the group that already helps with fundraising and program development for the zoo would now also be in charge of daily operations, and best of all, the city would maintain ownership... and yet, 9 council members had two days to figure out the obvious. They decided this was not enough time, and 7 of them said... "No, F that. Let's just let it close. We don't need no charity. We don't want your help. Come to Detroit. We have casinos." On Monday, the council members who rejected the plan defended their decision, repeating that they had insufficient time to review the proposal, even though administration officials said they gave the council a draft in November. November? Really?
Layoff notices were to be sent out Monday. Eventually the administration will send layoff notices to all 153 zoo workers. Zoo officials said the institution could close to the public in May and be rid of its animals within a year if an operation solution can't be found.
My biggest question is: What is going to happen to all the animals? If you recall, in a previous post, I mentioned that as a holiday gift to my roommate, I adopted a Rockhopper penguin for her. We got the certificate in the mail the day before we left for Christmas break. It was beautiful. We named him Skrinkle. What the hell is going to happen to our Skrinkle?!
T
he Detroit City Council has rejected a proposed agreement to transfer daily operations of the Detroit Zoo to the Detroit Zoological Society. The Zoological Society is a private group that provides fundraising and program development for the zoo. The 7-2 vote came Saturday night following two days of City Council discussions. The plan was part of an effort by Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to narrow a municipal budget deficit. This basically means that the zoo is going to close.Now here is the part that I don't understand at all. Under the agreement, Detroit would have maintained ownership of the zoo. The mayor's office said the deal would have saved the city about $5 million dollars each fiscal year. So let me get this straight... the city would have been accomplishing their goal of saving money, the group that already helps with fundraising and program development for the zoo would now also be in charge of daily operations, and best of all, the city would maintain ownership... and yet, 9 council members had two days to figure out the obvious. They decided this was not enough time, and 7 of them said... "No, F that. Let's just let it close. We don't need no charity. We don't want your help. Come to Detroit. We have casinos." On Monday, the council members who rejected the plan defended their decision, repeating that they had insufficient time to review the proposal, even though administration officials said they gave the council a draft in November. November? Really?
Layoff notices were to be sent out Monday. Eventually the administration will send layoff notices to all 153 zoo workers. Zoo officials said the institution could close to the public in May and be rid of its animals within a year if an operation solution can't be found.
My biggest question is: What is going to happen to all the animals? If you recall, in a previous post, I mentioned that as a holiday gift to my roommate, I adopted a Rockhopper penguin for her. We got the certificate in the mail the day before we left for Christmas break. It was beautiful. We named him Skrinkle. What the hell is going to happen to our Skrinkle?!
Meanwhile, as the angry calls and letter keep pouring in to the Detroit council and mayor's office, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's administration said they still are trying to convince council members to reconsider their vote, and several council members said they expect the city to return to the table with a revised proposal.
For a history of the Detroit zoo click here. I'll bet you'll learn something new. Also, it's hilarious.
Related:
Detroit Free Press article about the layoffs [Freep]
Detroit Free Press article about the layoffs [Freep]
Public's voice being heard [Freep]
City Official's Taliban-like assault on culture [detroitblog]
Sashism of the day:
adorablitis - a serious affliction causing one to be irresistably adorable at all times. "Skrinkle is a perfectly healthy penguin, however his tests came back positive for adorablitis. I'm sorry. You will love him unconditionally."
UPDATE 11:00pm - According to the Detroit Free Press, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's administration plans to send the Detroit City Council a revised plan for the Detroit Zoo in the hopes that they will reconsider their previous votes. [freep]
posted by Sasha @ 1:55 PM
6 Comments:
my poor baby does suffer from adorablitis! he needs proper care...how do I know he's going to receive it elsewhere?! This is all devastating news :(
We should stage a picket.
Poor little guy. Where's he going to get his daily smelt and cuddling?
I just want you guys to know that I've thought about this, and I'll adopt Skrinkle. He is totally afflicted with adorablitis, and I know that I can take care of him.
I've already started the process of getting my loft set up for him. I've turned off the heat, and opened my door and windows. Secondly, I've opened the door to my freezer and am slowly pouring water over everything with the exception of my bathtub which I have filled with a mixture of sea water (which should remain un-frozen...see mom, I am TOTALLY thinking ahead here!).
My problem is that I don't know where I can get him fresh smelt. I have some lox in the fridge...will that work? I hope someone will tell me soon cause I need to get water on my computer to ice it down.
no way man, it has to be smelt. also, i cannot let you adopt him because i still love him and i'm not ready to give him up, however...since you have already iced down the loft, it would be wonderful if he could stay with you indefinitely :)
there was a picket on thursday morning. started by a middle school girl.
this is horrible and you know... The city council need to get their heads out of their butts. here we thought the su-perbowl would bring great things and that the city would prosper and right after that damn game they turn in our excitement and celebration to cut back one of the greatest things Detroit has.
Didnt the city just spend an assload of money on that polar bear exhibit too?
WTF?!?
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