Before last nights City Council Meeting I had the pleasure of speaking with Zoo Director Joel Hamilton. I asked him, "what's up with those numbers you guys recently put out." He stated they were numbers provided by the consulting company they're working with. I then said, Joel, why don't you guys start charging $1.00 per person for those people not living in the City. He replied, Joe, it has been proven it would cost us money to do so. In fact, he went on to say they have done studies and it would take $4.00 per person for them to "break even" and pay for the staff to do so.
Let's see, 350,000 people coming to the Zoo each year. That's $1,400,000.00 per year, RIGHT? Only a democrat could come up with such a statement and or figures. Mayor Ireton, are you privy to such information?
I have always stated that Ron Alessi doesn't want to CHARGE $1.00 to come in because THEN and only THEN would YOU and I know the actual amount of people visiting the Salisbury Zoo. With all due respect Joel, (and Staff) your numbers are a boat load of crap. Outside consultants, Zoo Commission, Zoo Director, you have so many excuses as to who to place blame when the real numbers come to light, it isn't funny.
Last night the consultant stated every time someone comes to visit family or businesses in the Salisbury area, everyone goes to the Zoo. I disagree. In fact, I wouldn't encourage all the family and friends that come to visit us to go to the Zoo. Again, with all due respect, the Zoo is run down. The buildings are falling apart and there's no way I would bring everyone I know there if they came to visit.
Maybe you might but I know of even more people that think your statement is crazy. In your own little group, perhaps. I could see bringing kids to Ben's Red Swings but even that place is getting trashed with no upkeep.
Finally, the $4.00 admission being a break even number is ridiculous. Oh, by the way, what happened to all of the VOLUNTEERS? You let them collect money to "Feed The Animals." Why not feed back the Taxpayers and give them some relief?
13 comments:
that 350,000 number is complete and utter bullshitzky. No way they have 250 or 500 per day on average, let alone 958 visitors a day.
I've been to zoo's that charge admission, but they are well run facilities that are known world-wide. San Diego(37$), Philly(17$)Bronx(15$), and of course Washington DCs is free. Those are hands down some amazing zoo's, well worth paying for. The Salisbury Zoo has been mismanaged for well over a decade, and has not improved whatsoever in my lifetime.
This is typical of how the Zoo and City do "planning" -- it's nonsense.
Oh I guess you know everything huh Joe Joe? You've got all the answers yet you won't do anything about anything except bitch and cry like the little girl you are.
anonymous 2:16, aka, JT, at least I pay City Taxes and don't live off the taxpayers like you do. I have every right to my opinion about the Zoo. I'm a HUGE taxpayer in the City and they need to become accountable, period.
It sounds more like it would cost them $4 per person just to take admission?
Let's put this into perspective...
If the zoo were open 12 hours per day, 365 day per year = 4380 hours.
Let's say that it takes 3 people to cover the entrances. = 13,140 man hours
A budget of $1.4MM would equate to $106.54 per man hour. That makes no sense.
Am I reading this wrong, or could the article be worded better?
Are they saying that the zoo costs $1.4MM per year to run? If that's the case, does it really take $500 per hour to operate?
Joe you suck
Typical red neck zoo!
I have out of town visitors each summer. They've never requested to go to the Salisbury Zoo. We've gone to the DC zoo several times. The DC zoo has more animals along with a huge variety of animals. Can't say that for the Salisbury zoo at all. I'd never pay to go to it.
2:40pm...V-O-L-U-N-T-E-E-R-S Take the admission. Accordingly, the cost to the zoo = $0.00.
While this discussion is a very compelling topic, the reality is that without the emergence of a wealthy patron to provide a substantial endowment to the zoo, the Citidiots (Smallsbury City government) will close the zoo within 5 to 10 years. A sad but inevitable outcome.
I have lived in salisbury md all my 53 yrs. Going to the zoo even now is something i like to do to walk..But I have one complaint..who in the world decided to close every day at 430. For those of us that work there is no way we can go. and it also took family times away for those parents who might have taken their kids to the zoo after dinner..I wouldnt pay to go there either...its just not worth it...
Another bogus study by Beacon of SU.
Remember their study on a downtown theater and the sky high number of attendees they projected for that?
Anyone who would get analysis done by SU is in for a ride based on Beacon's track record.
Just sayin'.
Memo Dericker is full of malarkey.
I remember him touting to the Daily Times that with the exodus of US manufacturing equates with new opportunities abound.
Look at what we got. . . empty warehouses and hordes of them. Look at the number of unemployed individuals. He really ought to be fired.
Ask them how they get their numbers of 350000. Maybe their right, maybe their wrong. Joe you know if Jim wrap was there you would be all over his shit about this
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