After the controversies of the Toledo Zoo last spring, a Special Citizens Task Force was created to review and make recommended changes in the way Zoo operations were conducted. In October it was reported that the Toledo Zoo implemented 115 of the 123 (93%) of the recommended changes and won the praises of Lucas County Officials for their actions.
(See Article). Most recently the Lucas County Citizens Tax Levy Review Committee supported the recommendation that county commissioners put two zoo levies before voters.
Has the Zoo earn the respect and confidence of the Lucas County taxpayers to be in a position to
win passage of these levies? This writer thinks so; however, a new group of skeptics who call themselves
Citizens for a Responsible Zoo don't and seem Hell Bent on disrailing the Zoo's efforts to get their levies approved.
It comes as no surprise that this group has chosen Debra Reichard Klein as their spokesperson. Who better to open old wounds and continue efforts to discredit our beloved Institution then the sister of fired veterinarian Dr. Tim Reichard. Can you say GRUDGE? Although this group has been reported to consist of about 10 members, I find it interesting that only Ms. Klein has been identified by name. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the other 9 might consist of some members of a group of disgruntled employees who did not get 100% in their failed coup attempt in wresting complete control of the Zoo.
According to the groups website, their mission is "Provide the community with updated information on concerns and recommendations for Zoo improvement through media releases, the Blade’s pages of opinion section, and a web site". Wow, relying on this type of one sided information gathering practice is sure to produce reliable and objective
misinformation. I for one would much rather put my trust in the Task Force recommendations then in the bias reporting from a newspaper article.
I would remind this group that the last time I checked 93% constituted a grade of "A" and a GPA of 3.29. It is for that reason alone that I accept the fact that the Zoo is making the necessary changes to re-establish the trust of taxpayers and have earned their passage of the zoo levies soon to come before the voters. It disturbs me greatly that we continue to have a group of skeptics who continue to stir the kettle of discontent. I have three words for the Citizens for a Responsible Zoo..."GET OVER IT" If you really Love Your Zoo, drop your frivolouss complaints and let The Toledo Zoo regain its stature as One of America's greatest zoo's right here in our own backyard. Do not tarnish the reputation of this beloved institution more then you already have! I LOVE MY ZOO!
