Citizen D

06/21/04 City nor Council Can Get It Done for the Zoo!

The Zoo information was really heart breaking. Unfortunately, we should take one more step back and really look at what we are up against. It is the old "Fort Worth is Better Than Dallas" issue.

Fort Worth maintains and enhances its facilities on a consistent basis. This includes its Downtown, Convention venues and Zoo. Dallas does not.

If Dallas continues to NEGLECT nor meet its customer's desires for zoo exhibits, cut staff, etc., does it make sense to have two regional zoos within 30 miles of each other? I think not. Make the zoo a multi-county attraction and let it remain and "thrive" in Fort Worth.

Based on "results", it's likely Dallas will lose its accreditation in the next 5 years anyway. Why throw good money after bad? Let's find good homes for our animals in other zoos where the elected officials see the importance of putting money and staffing into them.

Dallas City Hall and successive councils have shown they will not do the right thing.

Putting the zoo under the control of Dallas County would be a mistake. Have you ever tried renewing your registration at Dallas County instead of a grocery store? It is a nightmare!

The City of Dallas cannot effectively operate an animal shelter or our zoo. Why would we think they will be any better with a shelter for the homeless?!

Our decision makers have made consistently BAD choices for the Zoo. Before it is too late, let's take it away from them before animals have to die.

Dallas County cannot keep county roads and bridges in proper repair. Let's not allow them to make helpless pawns of innocent animals who cannot defend themselves from political predators.