Funding for wildlife center fuels debate

RALPH NARDONE Times Leader Correspondent

SCRANTON – A threat of cutting funding for the Genesis Wildlife Center in Nay Aug Park brought a slew of passionate supporters to City Council chambers at Tuesday night’s meeting.

According to the center’s public relations representative, Hayden Scott Evans, the annual $50,000 city stipend is in question after a discussion he had with Mayor Chris Doherty and Parks Director Mark Dougher.

Evans said he was told the cut could happen due to the current financial problems in the city. He added no other specifics were provided by the mayor or Mr. Dougher.

The center’s annual budget for the totals about $130,000 per year, Evans said. If the city pulls its $50,000, it may not necessarily mean the center will close. It will mean other options for funding will have to be considered such as fundraising and charging admission.

Several workers from the center pleaded with council about the need for the center. Scout troops and local schools frequent the center each year.

Evans said if the center is closed, the fate of some of the animals is also in question. The 17 primates and the one cougar currently housed there will have to be euthanized because they can’t be placed, he said.

The remaining 16 animals and about 25 birds will face a similar fate if they can not either, he added.

Jessica Smallwood, a Marywood University student who works at the wildlife center, disputed claims the center was not adequately caring for its animals. She said director Margaret Miller knows them well and takes care of all of their needs.

Smallwood put out a public call for volunteers to visit the center on April 18 and 19 to help clean up the facility. She asked anyone who can attend to bring rakes, brooms, shovels and other tools. Interested parties can call the center at 348-4137.

Evans pointed out the city recently conducted a $175,000 feasibility study on the wildlife center and determined it needed $10 million worth of upgrades. He said he was told grant funding would be available to help, but now the story from the administration has changed.

The feasibility study resulted in nothing, said mayoral candidate Robert Bolus. He stressed if elected mayor he would ensure the funding for the wildlife center would never be eliminated.

The animals are a big park attraction, he added.

Bolus said the feasibility study was a waste of taxpayers’ money and another example of Mayor Doherty’s "cronyism."

Republican candidates for council, Lee Morgan and Doug Miller, will distribute a petition door to door in the city to keep the wildlife center open.

Council member Janet Evans motioned council to send a letter to the mayor and Dougher to express their opposition to the euthanizing of the center’s animals. The motion was voted down.

Council President Robert McGoff said the motion implies all animals will be euthanized when many may not.

In other discussions, Evans condemned a recent report from the Single Tax Office, where a "pothole" swallowed $2 million tax dollars. She said the officials from the tax office lied when they said an actual audit was done when in fact one was not.

She said $134,000 was wasted to produce a report that holds no one accountable for the tax office debacle.