Tri-county Seniors Invited to Free Day at the Zoo September 5

Jenny Greenwell September 5, 2012 at 01:27 pm

Perhaps the word "companion" might have been a better choice than "caregiver." Lots of seniors are active and in good health.
Shouldn't all Wayne, Oakland and Macomb residents who pay taxes to support the zoo be entitled to visit at no charge, or at least a reduced admission fee?

JH September 5, 2012 at 04:14 pm

Membership prices are reduced for those in the tri-county area, but not the daily ticket prices. This is standard practice for most zoos, museums, and similar attractions - likely for logistical reasons (so you don't have to ID everybody who comes and goes, which would drive up labor costs).
If the zoo were to allow tri-county residents to visit at no charge, they would need a much larger millage, and people would complain about that instead.

C September 5, 2012 at 04:21 pm

I've seen them use "companion" more often than caregiver. But yes, that is a much better choice.
As far as taxes paid, mine are just slightly less than $10 per year to support the zoo. This is just one day to have some special events for the seniors, as it is hard for some to get around such a large venue. Today they have options for that. Also, I'm turned off by the word "entitled". Do we want to support our local treasures or not? It can't always be the other guy that pays.

Web Spin September 6, 2012 at 04:28 pm

Jenny, those that visit the zoo are getting a deeply discounted ticket already. The zoo's annual budget divided by the number of visitors equals to an expense of over $50 per person. Cost of admission is $14 and the taxpayers make up the other $36. If a family of four visits they pay $52 (two kids and two adults prices) and we taxpayers pay $148. Isn't dumocracy great?
P.S. the DIA is at least as expensive to the taxpayer now that we passes the millage. My local library costs me $50 a year in taxes or about $100 per time I use it. Smart bus; $1.75 to ride, $8.00 in taxpayer subsidies, the people mover 75 cents to ride, $8.00 in taxes per rider and that's not including 1 cent of the cost to built it or the federal gifts every time it needs repair. I could go on for about 3 trillion dollars worth of examples.