Detroit, we have a problem
So the city plans to layoff police officers and firefighters but it has $1 million dollars to build a new pen for some of the European Fallow deer (non-native) and some other unnamed Michigan native animals. And the company who got the contract happens to be linked to Bobby Ferguson.
The Belle Isle Nature Zoo closed in 2002 but still stands on Belle Isle. Not quite sure why we need a “new” Nature Zoo. Why not just reopen the existing one? Especially when the deer already have a pen and the city is facing police and fire layoffs. This whole story is just bizarre – the city can’t afford the Aquarium, but we’ll reopen the Nature Zoo; somehow Ferguson is linked making it more controversial; Kwame is up for re-election and heavily blamed for the Aquarium’s demise; the European Fallow deer are beloved in the city (but so was the now deceased GAR fish)
Sorry Bambi, but I’d rather have police officers and firefighters over you getting a new home.
Amen, sister.
that is pretty crappy…
Those deer seemed happy enough when they were running around free in the island’s wooded areas. I think somebody has control issues.
Meanwhile, they couldn’t find a half million dollars to keep a one a kind freshwater aquarium open but there’s a million for a new nature center? I’m gonna be ill…
Just to play Devil’s Advocate here and clarify the situation….
The $1 million going into the new Nature Zoo on Belle Isle was approved last year by Detroit residents, well before the layoffs being talked about were put on the table.
Therefore, the city has to use the $1 million towards the Belle Isle Nature Zoo. It’s illegal to do otherwise. I’m not sure if the measure could be vetoed or voted down; but, it was pretty much written in stone for a while.
I would’ve liked to save the Aquariam, and all of the jobs of our law enforcement, as well. But look on the bright side, the Aquariam got an 88% advisory approval, which means City Council must look at means to reopen it.
I’m not that knowledgable about Detroit politics, since I’ve been away at college in NYC for about 6 yrs. But, why would the city’s residents for it, even in 2004, there’s was some notion of the city’s budget problems.
I’d want to keep law enforcement in the city; but, I rather the $1 million be spent at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo, than the Lodge.
Devil’s advocate away…
According to a project I did on the Detroit Zoo (and the Belle Isle components), the reason the deer are no longer allowed to roam free is they are ill and too dependent on humans. They were no longer foraging for their own food – just waiting for handouts. Plus the herd had gotten much too large for Belle Isle to support. So to deal with the illness and dependency issues, it was determined penning the deer was the best option.
Not positive how true that all is, but it was what I (and Mollika) was told.
The timing of the project is suspect – if this was voted on last year, why not mention the improvements during all the Aquarium stir. Why now after the primaries?
The 88% approval vote means nearly nothing unless the funding can be found and DCC can do something productive other than bicker.
I miss the fishies…. But i’m going to be missing the Blue around.
Good for the deer. F*** da police!