Dan Efird

The following letter by SEANC member Dan Efird appeared in the July 29, 2012 edition of The Asheboro Courier-Tribune:

This year the head of North Carolina Zoo, Dr. David Jones, pushed hard to privatize its operations, saying that the zoo “needs to be run as a business to get the income we need.” That's a great idea, Dr. Jones. Now all you need is a buyer to run the zoo as a business. (Sound of crickets chirping.) What's the problem? Is there a sudden shortage of buyers interested in purchasing a zoo?  

Who can Jones convince to buy his zoo? Jones has renamed his private zoo a public-private partnership and wants you, the taxpayer, to foot the bill while removing any accountability for state money. Jones would have the taxpayers annually sponsor $10 million for operations and $5 million for maintenance. And just to be safe, let's throw in another few million dollars for transition costs.

We’d all love to have someone buy us a zoo and then let us run wild alongside the animals, fanning ourselves with taxpayer dollars and only having to answer to a part-time 25-member society board of directors.

It’s rare that the head of a state government site advocates for privatization. After all, what public worker wants to fire staff, reduce retirement security and health care benefits for public employees? Dr. Jones, that’s who.

Folks, every time I hear the words "public-private partnership," I reach for my wallet. As a taxpayer, I have to say no! We’ve already bought a zoo, thank you very much, and if you can’t man up to the job, sir, then it's time to put out to pasture with the other animals.

Dan Efird

Asheboro