Share your thoughts about the zoo society's meetings being closed to the public.

November 21, 2009 10:47 PM
Mark J. Duluth, MN  

They are within the law to have their meetings in private. They are not a government entity, they raise money for helping the situation. It seems like the difficulties of these times may have us gnashing our teeth at one another, fortunately we can rely on the law to help us sort these things out.

http://www.lszoo.org/board.htm

The Lake Superior Zoo has a long history in our region, dating back to 1923. The zoo is owned by the City of Duluth and is cooperatively managed by the Lake Superior Zoological Society a 501 (c) 3 support organization for the zoo. Our facility has suffered from the lack of capital funds to repair and enhance exhibits. Your donation will help to raise important and necessary funds to rebuild the Lake Superior Zoo. Proceeds this year are dedicated to help the zoo regain accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. We hope that you will support our effort and help make this happen.

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November 21, 2009 4:50 AM
jon w. Tecopa, CA  

I remember when the zoo was free. In winter we would slide down the hill on sleds. Times have changed.......for the worse.

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November 20, 2009 12:11 PM
Lisa H. Duluth, MN  

Who really cares if the meetings are open or closed. If you want to know what's going on then read the minutes. Why is the DNT even talking about this? To sell papers and cause an uproar? As for closing the zoo like many of the people on here contend that would be a terrible loss for the people that go there. YES there are people that go there, volunteer their time and the staff is outstanding now that the Society has taken it over. I have a feeling most of these people who want to close the zoo have never even been there. The animals are given enrichments every day, I know because I've helped make them, and they are well cared for. Its improving out there every day, its easy to say its not when you've never even been out there.

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November 19, 2009 4:12 PM
Tom C. Ely, MN  

Pretty simple strategy if the city council has any respect for transparency: In order to receive city money, the zoo board must agree to abide by the Minnesota Open Meeting Law.

No open meetings, then no public funds!

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November 19, 2009 2:27 PM
Hairy W. Duluth, MN  

THis is terrible another thing we didn't get to vote on.

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November 19, 2009 11:26 AM
B W. Duluth, MN  

Who gives a rip about the meetings - in times like this serious consideration should be given to reducing or closing the zoo. No zoo in Rochester, St Cloud, Mankato, or other MN cities. While it might make us 'special', other issues are becoming more and more important. Do we have some kind of loan repayment or financing deal with somebody that would prevent us from getting out of the zoo business?

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November 19, 2009 8:46 AM
Sam P. Duluth, MN  

Bentleyville is run largely by donations and will probably net the city a small amount of money. Canal park makes the city a lot of money, and is worth investment.

The zoo will cost Duluth taxpayers millions over the next decade. Like the aquarium, its operating cost will always far exceed its revenue. Despite these huge cash infusions from the city, the zoo is unlikely to become a high quality zoo (both for the animals and for the visitors).

The aquarium cost $35 million and generally receives $300,000 in Duluth taxpayer subsidies annually (although that has been recently reduced to $200,000 annually due to the economy). What a waste!

We should close the aquarium and the zoo and save taxpayers a lot of wasted money.

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November 18, 2009 10:54 PM
scott s. Duluth, MN  

We shouldn't be subsidizing the zoo when our streets and utilities are in dire need of being replaced.

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November 18, 2009 9:42 PM
bob w. Duluth, MN  

Never can figure Duluthians out, dam the Zoo and bless Bentleyville. The Zoo did not get to this point over night, it has been years of neglect since Mayor Fedo started to restore it. All too much "Tourism" dollars are spent in Canal Park that could have been spent at the Zoo.

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November 18, 2009 4:00 PM
TB B. Duluth, MN  

I agree with Paul. Looks like the DNT is making a big deal just to make a headline. This "news" strategy is worse for the Duluth business climate than any City Council decisions! The Society finances are transparent, and the minutes are public. If you want input, you can request attendance. If you have been to a council meeting, which is open, you can see why nothing gets done. Too many cooks in the kitchen.

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