Zoo Problems
I don’t have a dog, a gerbil, a parrot, a bison or a prairie dog in this fight.
That said, the circumstances at the zoo are worthy of concern.
It’s been several years since I was in the zoo; at that time it looked worn out and unkempt, and its appearance was certainly not a stimulus for a return visit. Good thing it was free. I’d been there regularly when my kids were younger so I had a basis for comparison. The unkempt appearance of the zoo was certainly mirrored by the shabby condition of the City Park that surrounds it. I do get a chance to evaluate the condition of the park far more regularly than that of the zoo. Both have been permitted to slide noticeably under the current city administration.
Does Salisbury, Wicomico County or the Eastern Shore need a Salisbury Zoo? We all know the correct answer is no.
Is a well maintained zoo, of whatever scale, a nice amenity? I think so. Twenty years back, the zoo was a nicer place to visit. I had been a visitor to other zoos across the years before moving here, so again I had a basis for comparison.
The question citizens of Salisbury should be asking is: “Should the City of Salisbury be operating the zoo?” My response would be no. Its way beyond the scope of what the city should be delivering as services to its residents.
The zoo should be returned to its adherents; they are well equipped by virtue of their enthusiasm to do a much better job of determining what its scope should be. They will also be able generate the funds to run it commensurate with their vision. As enthusiasts, they can be more creative and flexible in their initiatives than a bureaucracy can be.
If the reconstituted zoo remains in its present locale, the city can rent it to the Zoo Commission for $1 per year in return for a promise to meet environmental standards and to shield the city from any legal issues related to its operation.
If the Zoo Commission thinks a change of location would better enable it to achieve its vision, it can cast about for property that meets its needs and get a-building. If that is the case, the area the zoo occupies can be returned to regular parkland.
In either case, the City of Salisbury will have saved itself quite a lot of money, each and every year.
by Pseudolus Erronius
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