Return to Article: It's a Zoo

By Brian Friel bfriel@nationaljournal.com April 28, 2004
  • 4521

    She's still in that position so that diversity quota can be met.

    GovExec.com reader Posted April 30, 2004 7:57 AM
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    Lucy Spelman is sinking her ship! The guy that hired her and runs the Smithsonian was also Chairman at Fannie Mae - both highly paid government appointed positions! He must have really paid off someone in the party for these spots. We should get rid of both Spelman and this guy who keeps supporting her. She is not now, nor never has been qualified to manage the National Zoo. The government is going to have to learn that expertise in a particular area does not lead to good managers. It is just like teaching, a good teacher has to become a bad administrator to get higher pay. Good teachers do not necessarily make good adminbistrators. Likewise, a well trained vet does not make a good manager of a zoo.

    tax payer Posted April 30, 2004 7:09 AM
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    After what I consider gross errors in management, I'm curious as to why Ms. Spelman is still in the position. I understand she turned in her resignation but why wasn't she fired and removed immediatedly? There most be some Washington politics going on within, which shows the lack of priorities and a hesitance to take this issue seriously.

    If the Zoo is really serious about making the necessary corrections and assuring that animals are protected and properly cared for, then I would think the Zoo would want someone besides Ms. Spelman in charge. If she wasn't capable of getting the job done before, I wouldn't want her steering my ship now. I'm not aware of the structure of Ms. Spelman's administration but I would venture a bet that there are other responsible parties besides Ms. Spelman.

    It's true Ms. Spelman has the ultimate responsibility but most of her employees should be aware of their duties and responsibilities and (if qualified for their position) are knowledgeable of proper animal care. I'll bet if this issue is properly investigated more issues will surface. To correct the Zoo problems and assure proper animal care I would suggest a complete investigation and immediate replacement of all bad apples. Aren't zoos monitored and inspected by an outside state or federal agency, and if so why weren't these problems noted and corrected? Maybe someone else rubberstamped and didn't do his or her job. There are a lot of issues to consider and evaluate before establishing corrective measures. I'm surprised that animal rights groups haven't jumped all over this.

    glenn collins Posted April 28, 2004 8:10 AM

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