Racine Zoo will no longer be free thanks to McReynolds
This weekend in the Wisconsin State Journal, there was a story about free zoos which of course mainly focused on Madison's great Vilas Zoo. Madison is blessed to have a zoo that families can visit without busting the budget. It also mentions that Racine is a community that could count an outing that wouldn't stress the family finances too much because the zoo there is also free.
But not for long.
The Racine Zoo has been free since 1923 but will begin charging admission next year. Why? County Executive Bill McReynolds cut the county support for the operating budget to zero. In 2003 when McReynolds took over, the county gave the zoo about $100,000. In both the 2004 and 2005 budget McReynolds cut that funding $25,000. In 2006 he cut the funding down to nothing. That means the zoo survived the financially tough times of the Depression and a World War, but not Bill McReynolds.
Unfortunately for Racine County, County Executive Bill McReynolds is running for another office this year. I say unfortunately because he is using Racine County as a tool for his election He so desperately wants to say he has not raised taxes (he has) during his run for the state senate that he is unwilling to find a way to continue to fund things like the Racine Zoo.
McReynolds says he has a mandate from the people of Racine County to do these types of things. A letter to the editor a while back in the Racine Journal Times points to the flaw in his logic by asking "Does he really believe he got elected on a cut the zoo platform?"
When I attended school in Racine County, we went on field trips to the Racine Zoo. No doubt the fact that it was free made this an option for schools and it seems likely that many schools will not be making that trip anymore.
The folks running the zoo should put up signs that say "Be sure to write a letter of thanks to County Executive Bill McReynolds for your admission price today.
posted by whatsleftwi @ 8:42 AM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Newsflash: The Zoo was never FREE.
I think people understand the distinction between "free admission" and "free of cost to anyone whatsoever," but I'm sure Carrie appreciates your stunning insight.
contrary to popular opinion aparently here, the zoo was ALWAYS free as far as admission goes... as far as concessions of course they aren't free, are they anywhere? grow up.
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I agree i think the admission. I used to love going to the Zoo as a child. I was planning on coming home this summer and taking my son. But now, I might as well go to milwaukee. McReynolds definitely messed up.
Just did a search for Racine Zoo and found your blog. Better late than never I guess. I am 63 and have found memories of coming to WI from IL and going to the Zoo at Racine! It was wonderful. It's a shame it longer has free admission. Why don't politicians realize that people who come from out of the area SPEND MONEY! This increases the tax base and helps pay for wonderful attractions like this zoo. It is one of the nicest zoos around and I've been to some of the largest. I hope your McReynolds is gone now!
I think McReynolds is completly out of line. Who is he to end a long standing tradition of a no charge admossion?! He thinks he can change something that has been instated probably longer thatn he's been living? What's next Bill, gonna change up the constitution on us too?
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