Zoo Leadership?

The Daily Times has an article under on the editorial page today talking about the Director's Position for the Salisbury Zoo. They basically say that it's become a difficult position to fill because of all the different groups that keep the Zoo under a microscope making the job thankless in so many ways. They mention the Public Works Director, Zoo Commission, nearby residents, zoo staff and of course those of us that see a million dollars of taxpayer money being funneled to the Zoo.

If the DT wants to dig a little deeper they might find that there have been on going problems with Zoo Directors prior to Mr. Rapp. Of course they paled in comparison to his on and off site shenanigans. Just in the years Jennifer was employed there they had a Director that spent most of his zoo time writing books on the cities dime. He was quite the speaker so he was able to convince any and all superiors that he was doing the best he could for the Zoo. He always felt he was way under paid for the job and pretty much left the staff to do what they wanted, within reason. While he was busy with personal projects the staff was left to baby-sit his children while doing their daily work load. The Zoo actually managed to maintain it's good quality thanks to the Curator and staff that worked very hard at maintaining the natural look of the Zoo. Please keep in mind this happened with only 4 keepers that covered a 7 day work week with just 2 keepers caring for the entire collection all weekend long.

The next Director was a very competent gentleman that had very serious health issues. The staff liked him very much but would routinely have to go to his home to make sure he literally was still breathing. He would often not come into the Zoo for days and City Hall did little about it. Had he been in good health he could have made the Zoo shine but he finally became gravely ill and passed away.

The person to fill the Director position was very short lived. He lasted almost to the last day of his probationary period before the City let him go. He couldn't work with anybody on staff, Friends Members, City Hall, or with the Zoo Commission.

After all those trials and tribulations, Mr. Rapp was considered for the position. He was working as the first full time educator for the Zoo. He was charismatic but had no real experience as a director or manager and was very young. Perhaps too young. His antics were not limited to off the Zoos grounds. He was chastized several times for his behavior outside of the Zoo. He couldn't seem to grasp that he represented the Zoo both on and off grounds. Ron Alessi covered up his mistakes and lack of management skills regularly.

The Education Building, Otter Exhibit and new Coati and Tropical Bird exhibits were all in the works prior to him taking over the helm. The Public Restrooms were his baby and took three years to complete. So much time had elapsed with it's building prosess that city plumbers couldn't find the water main to get water to the building. After jackhammering newly laid concrete and tile floors up, someone remembered that the main was somewhere near the back of the Bird Garden. The stage was also his work. Ron Alessi had to have his workers come in and lower it after compeletion because it was to high not to have a railing around it and that would obstruct viewers from seeing the stage. Luckily no one was seriously hurt during that daunting task. The Flamingo exhibit was built thanks to a very zealous construction crew. They didn't let anyone get in their way and aside from some pool issues, the exhibit was done in record time.

Rapp had an issue with anyone that didn't completely agree with him. Most people don't realize just how vindictive he had become. There are several former employees that know just how cruel he could be. And two Councilwomen found out his true colors when they dared to cut jobs at the Zoo. Few City Taxpayers knew that the two paid education positions had been empty for half a year. If you have two positions empty for that length of time without anyone noticing, are they necessary? There's Rapp's reign in a nutshell. His more colorful antics are in his deposition. Remember the Mayor backed him 100%. His antics finally caught up with him and we all know the outcome there. Hopefully he has learned to act more maturely in his new position with DLite. Time will tell.

So what can you gather from any of this history of the Salisbury Zoo? Is it time to have a little more input from City Hall when it comes to making sure people are performing their duties competently while employed? Is it time for the Zoo Commission to get some new faces and new ideas? They have members on the committee that have been there for the better part of three decades.

With the right amount of checks and balances a competent person can direct the Zoo into it's former beauty. It takes people caring and being watch dogs. Turning a blind eye and hoping for change without scrutiny isn't going to help things down there. And until the Zoo can relieve the burden they put upon the taxpayers of Salisbury, they better get used to it. The Zoo is a luxury item in the Cities budget. It is in no way is a necessity. Change is inevitable and the Zoo is in dire need of some.