Surely this isn't true? Closing the zoo for sure?

[Onyx]

Is this a sure thing or just an emergency measure? This makes me ill. I love the Detroit zoo!

==========

Feb 20, 6:39 PM EST

City begins sending layoff notices to Detroit Zoo employees

DETROIT (AP) -- The city began sending layoff notices to Detroit Zoo employees Monday, two days after the City Council rejected a proposed agreement to transfer the zoo's daily operations to the Detroit Zoological Society.

The 7-2 vote came Saturday night following two days of council discussions. The plan was part of an effort by Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to narrow a municipal budget deficit.

Without the deal, the mayor's office said the city cannot afford to keep the zoo open.

Ceeon Quiett, a spokeswoman for the mayor, said layoff notices were sent out Monday, but she did not know how many. Eventually, the administration will lay off 150 zoo workers, she said.

"We're starting the process today," Quiett said Monday. "There is a transition plan for closing the zoo."

Quiett said closing the zoo - and making arrangements for the animals who call the 75-year-old institution home - will take many months.

"It was not our intent to close the zoo," she added.

Under the proposal that was rejected, Detroit would have maintained ownership of the zoo, which is located in the suburb of Royal Oak. The mayor's office said the deal would have saved Detroit about $5 million each fiscal year.

The state offered $4 million, contingent on Detroit signing over operations by Sunday.

"By (City Council) not acting, we lose the $4 million from the state," zoo society Chairman Gail Warden told The Detroit News. "For me, it would have been a no-brainer. I was very disappointed, frustrated and angry."

The private group provides fundraising and program development for the zoo.

"I'm astonished ... that reasonable people can't find a way to work this out," Detroit resident Carol Bresnay told the Detroit Free Press. She said she regularly visits with her grandchildren.

"Closing it would be such a big blow to the city," Bresnay said. "The zoo does and can provide so many educational opportunities to our children. I mean, it's just too fine an institution to let this happen to."

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MI_...EMPLATE=DEFAULT

[Wounds Within]

Sadly the zoo very well could close. Detroit City Council rejected a proposed agreement to transfer daily operations of the zoo to the Detroit Zoological Society.

As this mess is unfolding, Kilpatrick is out of the country in Africa and has not been in the city since the SuperBowl. The mayor has not made any statements himself since he has been away and his office is answering the heavy questions instead, but time is running out and Kilpatrick is nowhere to be seen. The onlt thing the mayor's office is saying at this time is, "the plan was part of an effort by Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to narrow a municipal budget deficit" and the Mayor's own spokesman James Canning said the zoo likely will close, though it wouldn't happen immediately.

If anyone would like to donation to the zoo click here:

http://www.detroitzoo.org/Support_the_Zoo/...nt/Annual_Fund/

[Crazed Vampyress]

i heard about this on the radio today. they are supposedly trying to get an extension on the deadline for the money, and are looking for ways to raise the money if they get the deadline extension.

I will totally be bummed if they close! i grew up with the Detroit Zoo !

[Msterbeau]

This is just stupid. How could they let the zoo close??? Talk about short-sighted. Detroit spends a zillion dollars to spruce up the city for the Superbowl but won't continue to fund the zoo or at least transfer managment to someone that can?

[Crazed Vampyress]

This is just stupid.  How could they let the zoo close???  Talk about short-sighted.  Detroit spends a zillion dollars to spruce up the city for the Superbowl but won't continue to fund the zoo or at least transfer managment to someone that can?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

WELL SAID!!

[paradox]

what if kwame dropped 18 of his 20 bodyguards?

[Crazed Vampyress]

what if kwame dropped 18 of his 20 bodyguards?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

kwame give something up? oh now thats just crazy talk!!!

[paradox]

fo shizzle my nizzle!

[Guest Megalicious]

Even though that zoo in particular holds great memories Id have to say its not really all that bad. The only real zoo Ive been too besides Detroit Is San Diego . So I went to the Detroit Zoo with HIGH expectations. I was sad at how small the animal habbitats where, and horrified to read that Detroit's elephants had been moved because they werent able to care for them properly. It would be sad to see them close it .. but if they dont have the funding to care for the animals, its for the best . I was sad when Jarod sent me the ariticle, because I had mentioned something about it .. because I am a creature of habit :grin It's were he took me for my birthday last year, so it holds nice memories.

[phee]

This sucks... nuff said

[Msterbeau]

Even though that zoo in particular holds great memories Id have to say its not really all that bad.  The only real zoo Ive been too besides Detroit Is San Diego . So I went to the Detroit Zoo with HIGH expectations.  I was sad at how small the animal habbitats where, and horrified to read that  Detroit's elephants had been moved because they werent able to care for them properly.  It would be sad to see them close it .. but if they dont have the funding to care for the animals, its for the best .  I was sad when Jarod sent me the ariticle, because I had mentioned  something about it .. because I am a creature of habit  :grin  It's were he took me for my birthday last year, so it holds nice memories.

They didn't move the elephants because they couldn't take care of them, they did it because they really aren't suited to an environment that gets cold, plus they generally require a LOT more space then they had. These were compounded by age.

I know the chief vet. at the zoo...

[Dubh Aingeal]

Well after this Belle Isle Aquarium Closed and the fact that there were only 2 peoplle who really wanted the Aqarium to close "Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and Ron Kagan, the director of the Detroit Zoological Institute", did this really come as any major surprise to any one?

They closed the Belle Isle Zoo in 2002, the Aquarium last year, and now the Zoo may have to close. Anyone seeing a trend here. Hmmm with 2 zoo's and the aqarium close I see a new zoo/aquarium being planned some where. Too coincidental that all the zoo like things in detroit are closed or may have to close. And if I remember correctly (haven't found it yet in my searches but continuing to look) there was talk that they wanted to build a zoo where the casinos were suppose to be perminetly built (current locations were temp space supposably).

2002 - Belle Isle Zoo:

Closed in 2002. This was a smaller, friendly, community oriented zoo. Only 13 acres in size, this condensed facility provided a safari adventure feel. The winding trail becomes a wooden elevated walkway allowing a closer view of the resident animals from above.

2005 - Detroit's Belle Isle Aquarium will close. The city, which faces a $230 million budget deficit, announced in January that it would close Michigan's only aquarium, which Albert Kahn's firm, Nettleton & Kahn, designed in 1904.

2006 - Detroit Zoo

Talks begin about having to close it.

Probably next on the hit list (I mean why keep them if there is nothing else over there to do (sarcastic comment)):

Belle Isle Conservatory:

The Conservatory, designed by Albert Kahn in 1902 and patterned after Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, opened in 1904. In 1953, it was dedicated to Mrs. Anna Scripps Whitcomb who left her 600 plant orchid collection to the City of Detroit. Now known as the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, it is the permanent home of hundreds of cacti, succulents, ferns, palms, tropical plants and one of the largest orchid displays in the country.

Dossin Museum:

The Dossin Great Lakes Museum is located on Strand Drive across from the Aquarium and is part of the Detroit Historical Museum & Society. Exhibits focus on Great Lakes shipping and maritime history. Explore the working pilothouse from the freighter William Clay Ford overlooking the Detroit River, a hands-on exhibit. See the world's largest collection of scale-model Great Lakes ships and the Miss Pepsi hydroplane.

[Guest Megalicious]

They didn't move the elephants because they couldn't take care of them, they did it because they really aren't suited to an environment that gets cold, plus they generally require a LOT more space then they had.  These were compounded by age. 

I know the chief vet. at the zoo... 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thats funny considering that The Detroit zoo has an 81-year history of exhibiting elephants. I mean it has been cold up here for 81 years right? NO ZOO ... no matter how large the exhibit may be, require more room. Ive been to the Detroit Zoo. I've seen the empty elephant exhibit, and its sad. If you cant provide a health envoriment for an animal, I would say that is not being able to take care of it. To put it bluntly .. the Zoo did not have the proper habitat, the animals where forced to sleep in a unnatural manner ... causing major foot problems. It's not just Detroit Zoo ... its all ZOO's ... I think its sad ... That I can look at Detroit's one acre elephant pen, cry because its soooo small and then think to myself how fucked up it is because the simple fact is that its 16 TIMES LARGER then required by regulations. Its just sad.

[Msterbeau]

Thats funny considering that The Detroit zoo has an 81-year history of exhibiting elephants.  I mean it has been cold up here for 81 years right?  NO ZOO ... no matter how large the exhibit may be, require more room.  Ive been to the Detroit Zoo. I've seen the empty elephant exhibit, and its sad.  If you cant provide a  health envoriment for an animal, I would say that is not being able to take care of it.  To put it bluntly .. the Zoo did not have the proper habitat,  the animals where forced to sleep in a unnatural manner ... causing major foot problems.  It's not just Detroit Zoo ... its all ZOO's ...  I think its sad ... That I can look at Detroit's one acre elephant pen, cry because its soooo small and then think to myself how fucked up it is because the simple fact is that its  16 TIMES LARGER then required by regulations.  Its just sad.

Yah. They just took a while to do the right thing...

I don't mind going to a bigger, far off place if the elephants are happy.

[Guest Megalicious]

Yah.  They just took a while to do the right thing... 

I don't mind going to a bigger, far off place if the elephants are happy. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess thats better then never doing the right thing :cheerful

[Slept with ghost]

::qoute::They closed the Belle Isle Zoo in 2002, the Aquarium last year, and now the Zoo may have to close. Anyone seeing a trend here. Hmmm with 2 zoo's and the aqarium close I see a new zoo/aquarium being planned some where. Too coincidental that all the zoo like things in detroit are closed or may have to close. And if I remember correctly (haven't found it yet in my searches but continuing to look) there was talk that they wanted to build a zoo where the casinos were suppose to be perminetly built (current locations were temp space supposably).

i wouldnt count on anything new detroit fucked up again plain and simple

:another qoute::This is just stupid. How could they let the zoo close??? Talk about short-sighted. Detroit spends a zillion dollars to spruce up the city for the Superbowl but won't continue to fund the zoo or at least transfer managment to someone that can?

not only did detroit spend a nice amount of money for the super bowl but im sure they made back just as much if not more

its not as though they really built anything new(other then the football arena itself) they mainly tore things down and fixed some roads

so where the hell is the money the city made from the event

detroit used to be a great city (though this was years before i was born) and not its at this point and its not even something people can joke around about any more

its just disgusting how bad things have gotten

[Marblez]

I can't really say much. I have in the last 5 years been to the toledo zoo about 5 or 6 times, I was even a card carrying member. The Detroit Zoo - I think I went once since elementary school.

It is my fault.

[pharoh]

Well I would rather go to Toledo anyways, in my opinion it's a better Zoo

[Msterbeau]

If they close it... can I have a monkey?

Looking in the mirror is not enough?

*runs*

:woot:

[Hellion]

:devil I remember going to the zoo on class fieldtrips when I was a kid,I hope it does'nt happen that would really suck.

[Wounds Within]

There is going to be a "PUBLIC" conferance next Wednesday on the 13th floor of the City Council Building in Detroit where you can express your concerns in front of the council and Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

You do not have to be a Detroit resident to attend this meeting, they are welcomeing people from the entire metro area to take part and voice their thoughts.

The official council vote will be held the following Friday and will determine the fate of the Detroit Zoo.

[pharoh]

Dude you just wanna spank it

[Onyx]

Well, at least things are looking up a bit...

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?A...METRO/603020341

Deal saves Detroit Zoo

Divided council signs over operations to Zoological Society after days of emotional debate across region.

Lisa M. Collins / The Detroit News

David Coates / The Detroit News

Under the deal, zoo landscape maintenance worker Michael Campbell will become an employee of the Zoological Society. He will receive comparable pay but fewer benefits than he received with Detroit.

Following a week of heated public debate over the future of the Detroit Zoo, the Detroit City Council on Wednesday approved a deal to hand over management of the 75-year-old facility to the Detroit Zoological Society -- laying to rest public concerns that the zoo may close.

Now the zoo must work to find other sources of funding to help pay for its $20 million a year average expenses. The zoo is one of Metro Detroit's most popular attractions, with about 1 million visitors a year, including about 20 percent from Detroit and 25 percent from Oakland County.

Zoo Director Ron Kagan said the Zoological Society will work with the state Legislature to secure one part of the rescue plan that remains unresolved -- a $4 million state grant to operate the zoo this year. That money was forfeited when council rejected the deal last Saturday, but state legislative leaders including Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Shirley Johnson, R-Troy, have said they are committed to restoring the funding.

"It's one very important step to the future," Kagan said of the vote. "Obviously, we have a lot of work to do to recover the state funding. All of us have seen the real commitment of the mayor and his team and City Council to make sure the zoo can remain successful independent of the city's financial crisis."

Zoological Society Board Director Gail Warden said that the society has a plan to finance operations of the zoo for two years; after that, some other funding mechanism, such as a regional tax, will have to be established.

"We are very focused on the possibility of a millage (tax)," said Ira Jaffe, an attorney for the Zoological Society.

Jaffe said the society is hiring a consultant to look at the feasibility and ways to market a five-county tax to fund the zoo.

"We hope some of the support generated by the media and on TV can be translated into financial support."

The Wednesday vote came after Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick pleaded with council members to approve the deal so the city "can move forward" with more pressing business, such as its looming deficit. Detroit has $400 million less in its general fund this year than it did four years ago, Kilpatrick said, and cannot afford the $5 million a year to supplement the zoo's expenses.

The vote closes a tempestuous chapter for the Metro Detroit region in which suburban and City Council leaders engaged in racially-charged name-calling amid round-the-clock news coverage. Public outcry reached a fevered pitch after Deputy Mayor Anthony Adams said a no vote by City Council last Saturday would result in the zoo closing.

Councilwoman JoAnn Watson Wednesday demanded an apology from Adams, calling his claim an "outrageous lie" meant to pressure the council. "The zoo was never subject to closure," Watson said.

The new deal is a version of the one rejected last Saturday with a few changes, including a provision to allow City Council to appoint two members to the Detroit Zoological Society Board of Directors.

"It's been challenging but the outcome is what we hoped for," said Warden. "The mayor's support made a big difference."

The measure was adopted 6-3, with Barbara-Rose Collins, Brenda Jones and Watson voting against the management transfer. Collins and Jones said the final deal was delivered Wednesday afternoon -- too late to vote on.

But the mayor said only minor changes -- based on City Council member requests -- were made to the document on Wednesday.

"There have been no substantially substantive changes that have been made to this agreement that you couldn't read," Kilpatrick said. "It's a simple contract, there's no hidden language."

Wednesday's meeting was raucous and disorderly, with council chairwoman Alberta Tinsley-Tilabi several times rapping her gavel to call for order as audience members protested a water rate increase that was before the council and against turning over management of the zoo. On several occasions police officers had to gather around audience members to quiet them.

Councilwoman Monica Conyers urged the crowd to settle, saying that children watch the council meetings at school.

"How can we expect them to behave orderly if we do not," Conyers said.

"People were ridiculously rude," said Sarah Reynolds, 19, a zoology student at Oakland Community College who came to the meeting with her friend to learn about the zoo issue.

She said she thinks Oakland County should help fund the zoo, and commented on a 2002 ballot issue that failed in Oakland County that would have helped fund the zoo. Currently, Detroit is the only entity that funds the zoo.

"If Detroit doesn't have the money to keep it open, then nobody judges them for that. I think Oakland County's taxes should go toward the zoo, too. Detroit owns the zoo, but it's the people's zoo. It's our zoo too," said the Troy resident "I'm ashamed that Oakland County turned down a tax to help fund it."

A zoo landscape maintenance worker, Michael Campbell, was one of many to address the council during a public hearing and meeting that lasted from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., saying he was against turning the management of the zoo to the Society. Under the deal, all zoo employees become employees of the Zoological Society. They will receive comparable pay but fewer benefits than they received with Detroit, Warden has said.

"I would like to stay a city employee, because I'm a keeper of my zoo," said Campbell, a 20-year city employee. Campbell helps maintain a facility for the zoo's elderly hippopotamus, Josh, and says the zoo needs to upgrade the facilities. "Poor Josh is just like an old slave," he said.

Kilpatrick proposed handing the management over to the Zoological Society last year saying the city could no longer afford to operate it. Zoo tickets raise only $7 million of the zoo's $20 million operating budget; the rest must be raised by memberships and donations.

Detroit will give the zoo $10 million in capital improvement dollars and spend $900,000 for security and insurance as part of the deal adopted Wednesday.

U.S. Army Sgt. Walker Terry e-mailed from Iraq to weigh in on the Detroit Zoo issue.

"I support the Zoo and I hope to attend it once again when I return from Iraq," Terry said. "I'm a native Detroiter who believes the zoo should be run by the Zoological Society, that's the way it's done in other cities."

He said the public battle between the mayor and council over the zoo deal was disheartening.

"I guess you can call it "a crisis in leadership," Terry said. "The leadership and the media are not handling this situation very well at all, it's really embarrassing."

[Msterbeau]

Yes... it's all true. Now stop calling me Shirly!!!

Back on topic. I was reading comments posted at the Free Press' web site concerneing this. There are a whole bunch of racist, bigotted, short-sighted assholes around here. And I mean in addition to Detroits elected officials.

http://freep.typepad.com/comments/2006/03/detroit_zoo.html