First Comes The Idea…Then Comes The Screw That

May 27th, 2007 by Kenneth Burns

Who says that outrage comes before action is only limited to the Capital Region and Central Maryland? Let’s take a trip down the shore…guess who emailed me this weekend.

MarylandPT Eastern Shore Insider Joe Albero, who does the wide read Salisbury News blog, says that outgoing Salisbury Zoo Director Jim Rapp and Education Curator Carrie Samis are gathering all ye supporters to save the $326,000 that city council members Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen is proposing to cut from the 2008 city budget. Now that is equal to slashing five positions from it’s staff. Both councilwomen say that the Zoo can raise funds if they want to keep the positions, a modest admission fee was one idea.

This is the part where I talk about Rapp saying hell to the no to the idea of a budget cut. More on his appeal to the public in a second. First, the part of the letter from Samis that starts off sounding like Mickey Mouse making an appeal to children that adults are ruining everything.

The letter goes on to say that two departments, Zoo Education and Animal, would be slashed 50 percent adding that the zoo could not continue to “serve the community in the wonderful way it has for the last 53 years.” Samis, as if there isn’t enough attention grabbing propaganda in her part, is says that they know you love the zoo because it’s free, accredited and is one of the things that makes Salisbury great. Being the western shore person I am, I thought it was the gas prices that makes Salisbury great.

Now to Rapp’s part of the letter which shows lack of dignity. It’s one thing to say these positions being cut would cause someone to lose their job. It’s a completely different story when you put their names in the letter. I’m sure that those people would not want the unwanted attention, nevermind the distraction (which is why I am not posting the names.)

They are asking citizens to contact the dynamic duo of Campbell and Cohen, write letters to The Daily Times and above all let your voices be heard at the next council meeting on Tuesday.

Campbell told Michael Swartz’ Monoblogue that Salisbury city taxpayers are the only taxpayers supporting the zoo, even thought it is used regionally. “I would like to see businesses,perhaps the chamber and Greater Salisbury working together to capitalize a fund at the Community Foundation to provide perpetual operating support for the zoo. I would also like to see a small admission fee, maybe $1…”

One dollar is not so bad when compared to the Maryland Zoo In Baltimore (a/k/a The Baltimore Zoo) which charges adults $15, children $10 and for those who are barely walking and talking (two and under) are free. Oh yes, there is a Senior Citizen discount (three bucks). And they have numerous fund raisers, which include “Brew in the Zoo.”

As far as the call to bombard The Daily Times with letters of support to the editor, it was answered. One was from a 10-year-old at a local school. While I am on the topic, Journalism 101…if the person you are writing about is under 18, you list their FIRST name after the first reference not their LAST name.