Statement from City Councilmember Cliff Olney
WATERTOWN, NY — Funding for our zoo passed on Monday night. Today, I find it necessary to address the statement made by Mayor Sarah Compo Pierce in her recent press release regarding the funding and repurposing of Thompson Park Zoo.
First and foremost, Mayor Pierce’s assertion that the City of Watertown lacks the financial means to support the zoo is simply untrue. Contrary to what she believes, the city’s fund balance remains robust, with a significant surplus far beyond the mandated reserve requirements set by the New York State Comptroller.
With $17,000,000 still uncommitted in reserve, it’s clear that this initial $100,000 funding of the zoo is not a financial burden on the city but rather a prudent investment in one of our community’s most cherished assets. The zoo is the 2nd highest visited tourist attraction in our area.
Furthermore, Mayor Pierce’s suggestion to “reimagine” the zoo grounds and repurpose the land is deeply concerning. This thinly veiled attempt to decommission the zoo may leave the space idle and demonstrates a lack of understanding of the value that Thompson Park Zoo brings to our community.
For decades, the zoo has been a vital educational and recreational resource for families and visitors alike, serving as a cornerstone of our city’s identity. To suggest abandoning it in favor of vague alternatives is short-sighted and dismissive of the wishes of the majority of our constituents who overwhelmingly support funding the zoo.
It is also important to address Mayor Pierce’s misconceived comparison of previous expenditures on recreational venues, such as the Watertown Golf Club and the construction of a third pool, to the funding of Thompson Park Zoo.
These projects are not mutually exclusive, and funding the zoo does not preclude investment in other recreational opportunities. Furthermore, the mayor’s assertion that these projects have incurred ongoing costs conveniently overlooks the fact that the zoo, if properly funded and managed, has the potential to generate revenue and become self-sustaining in the long term.
During Mayor Pierce and my discussions earlier this year, the mayor suggested that she envisioned herself; as someone, eager to emulate the success of Mayor Billy Barlow, who emphasized the importance of leveraging grants to improve Oswego’s infrastructure and quality of life projects without burdening taxpayers. Grant opportunities for our zoo have not been explored as yet.
Despite overwhelming support from the community, as evidenced by the recent Jefferson Community College’s zoo survey and the findings of the “Blue Ribbon Zoo Panel,” Mayor Pierce, who was chairman of the Zoo Panel, in her statement has chosen to put aside their recommendations and push for the zoo’s “repurposing”. Will the proposed “repurposing” cost more than keeping the zoo? We don’t know.
Our zoo has been a part of our community for over 100 years. As elected officials, we have a duty to listen to the voices of our constituents and make decisions that reflect their best interests. The overwhelming support shown in recent surveys for funding the zoo cannot be ignored, and it is our responsibility to honor that support by investing in the future of Thompson Park Zoo.
I urge Mayor Pierce to reconsider her stance and join us in supporting this important initiative for the benefit of our community.
In closing, let me reiterate that the decision to fund Thompson Park Zoo is not just about preserving a beloved attraction; it is about investing in the well-being of our city and ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the educational and recreational opportunities it provides.
Sincerely,
Councilmember Cliff Olney
City of Watertown