Mayor Seemingly Maintains He Has No Authority Over Zoo Board

I just emailed the Mayor as planned since my first post this weekend.  I am making a post that includes it, in light of last evenings KPIX News report.  I saw it after publishing yesterday's post late last night.  I hadn't planned on reacting to it, as it really is more of the same from Lurie.  That said, it is important to document the updates, as well the Mayor continuing to maintain the position that he has no Authority over the Zoological Society, really bothers me.

How can it be possible that Managers (Director/Board) have Authority over Owners (City)???

This needs to be publicly explained.  Zoo Staff, Members, Visitors and Residents of The City deserve to understand this and Why Director Tanya Peterson is running the show.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8vw0iNf6c7E&pp=0gcJCfwAo7VqN5tD

My email to Mayor Daniel Lurie this morning...

Why Do You Deny Your Authority Over Zoological Society?

Hello Mayor Lurie,

You're long-awaited entry into the saga that is, Removing Tanya Peterson as Director of Our Zoo, was Disappointing.

Once Park GM Phil Ginsburg, along with Larry Mazzola and the other Park Commissioners wimped out, it was up to you to assert your Authority, the top Authority, and you too have buckled.

KPIX News reported, "Only the Zoo Board has the Authority to Fire Peterson".  That had to have come from some official capacity.

That statement is seemingly untrue.  I read the Lease Agreement to confirm what has been well-known knowledge throughout staff and myself.  I had previously been told by former BOS President Aaron Peskin, as well as RecPark that the Authority, lies with the RecPark, under the Mayor, leaving you in that top position.  

Screencaps from the Lease Agreement supporting that, are included in my blog post from yesterday.

*He Said, She Said, And Other Authority Nonsense

iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/06/he-said-she-said-and-other-authority.html

I will also include additional post links at the end, but they should not stop you from further exploration of my blog archives, as I think it would benefit you at the very least, to educate yourself on some key notations you made in your statement,...

“Under new leadership, it has an opportunity to be truly world-class and seize the exciting opportunity to energize our city and welcome visitors from around the world by bringing pandas to San Francisco,” he said. “I am confident that stable, permanent leadership will strengthen the zoo and our city’s ability to welcome pandas.” 

Leadership and Pandas.  I discuss both in many posts on my blog.  Bringing Pandas to Our Zoo at this time, meaning before taking care of the long list of Needs Our Current Zoo Animals and Our Zoo are Desperate for, is Irresponsible.  Continuing with the current management structure, only changing the Director, is of course the immediate welcome, it is not the only change that Our Zoo needs to thrive at optimum.  Now is the time to Fix all of the Fails that Tanya Peterson and the Society Board have allowed to plague Our Zoo for the last seventeen years.

If you continue to stand firm in your apparent position, that you do not have top Authority, it would make you seem stronger in character to publicly address,... 

Why you as the highest City Official, believe you do not have Authority over the Zoological Society, a Management entity, in regard to a City Owned Facility? 

Thank you

Kim...

> Regarding Pandas...

*The Moral Crime Of Bringing Pandas To Our Zoo

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-moral-crime-of-bringing-pandas-to.html

*What Will Happen If the Panda Plan Goes Through

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/05/what-will-happen-if-panda-plan-goes.html

> Regarding Leadership...

*A Crucial Moment In Time For The Future Of Our Zoo

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/05/a-crucial-moment-in-time-for-future-of.html

*The Change That's Needed To Save Our Zoo - Part Two - Restructuring Management

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-change-thats-needed-to-save-our-zoo_19.html

End of Email

Those who want to be a Voice in this Outrageous saga can email the Mayor at daniel.lurie@sfgov.org

 

He Said, She Said, And Other Authority Nonsense

In last night's post, I highlighted some of the statements from two news articles regarding the Mayor's surprising and long-awaited entry into the saga that is, Removing Tanya Peterson as Director of Our Zoo.

It was late so I just noted my immediate thoughts.  I woke-up this morning with more to add.  I also read the Lease Agreement, which was exhausting, so I watched a movie and took a nap.  Apologies for late posting once again.

I also had this graphic already made weeks ago, that I finally had some text to add to it.  I think I had a premonition there might be a showdown!  

It's curious there is even a question as to who said what.  Shouldn't calls to government offices be recorded?

While I would never trust anything Tanya said as truth in even the slightest way, would she be so careless as to completely change the dialog of a conversation with the Mayor?  I'm leaning towards Yes she would, but it would be pretty brazen.  But, that is the Peterson way.

That said, while I know nothing about Mayor Lurie's honesty, Why would he lie about what transpired?  What would the gain be?  

The outcome is the same as what could have happened if Tanya's side of the story is true.  That outcome is, Lurie has now reportedly requested the Zoological Society Board seek a replacement for Director Peterson.

In my opinion, if the Mayor continues to take the non-Authority role, Why would the Board even entertain his request?  The remaining Board Members have already rallied to support keeping Peterson in place.

It's also my opinion that a new Director may have a hard time with the Board as is, if they lose their favorite child.  I continue to maintain that the only road forward must see a complete management overhaul that includes not only Replacing the Director, but Restructuring Management to split into two components, Society Members and Animal Care Staff, with Members of the Animal Care Staff, also having a seat at the table.  The Society's bias and negligence, dictates change.  Also, the roles of the Society Board and the RecPark Dept, who has also been negligent in their oversight responsibility to Our Zoo, desperately need to be Redefined.

In my June 15th post, "Apparently It Seems No City Authority Will Take Action To Remove Zoo Director", I documented some efforts I made to further confirm what we all seemingly know to be accurate as to who has Authority over the Zoological Society Board.

I wrote...

>I then engaged with another source and during that exchange, it was revealed that there are questionable factors that have lead the Recreation and Park Department to believe that they do not have the Authority to Remove Tanya Peterson.< 

> I am continuing to investigate the validity of their disbelief.  Until I learn more, I'm choosing not to document further details. <

I responded to the above exchange, asking questions, that have gone unanswered.  Considering I've given it a reasonable amount of time, I will include that correspondence here.  I think it's important to document, questions to City sources that go unanswered, especially ones that are trying to clarify something this important.

Original inquiry...

"Considering yesterday's news regarding the supervisors moving forward with plan to withhold the zoo's funding, we are all wondering why Phil Ginsburg has not asserted his authority to remove Tanya."

"Are we all and all including many staffers who have worked there for over 20 years, wrong in who has authority over the Zoological Society? Because everyone has thought it is the Mayor and RecPark."

"And last year I confirmed that with Supervisor Peskin. ... Is that not still accurate?"

Response...

"It is a very unusual case. In our lease and management agreement with the Zoo, it is plainly written that way. However, it refers back to a portion of the City Charter that was since repealed (in 1996). I don’t necessarily think it was specifically repealed because of the zoo – it probably covered a number of different topics and this was an inadvertent result."

"As such, for example, I don’t have any records of the Commission hiring the current Zoo director. So, as we understand, the SFZS has ultimate authority over the decision to hire the director."

My first reply...

"Thanks for that information. But considering the Zoo is City owned regardless of who put her in position shouldn't the RecPark and or the Mayor still have the ultimate authority?  I mean seriously considering what is going on a Management entity should not have the ultimate authority."

"And maybe the RecPark is hands tied but the Mayor isn't right?"

"Do you have a copy of that City charter or can send me the portion that would apply? Otherwise what is in the lease agreement should stand?"

My added reply...

"I just have some questions in addition to the ones that I asked you in the last email."

"So is there a loophole being looked into?"

"So I'm assuming that every other director was approved by the commission? Why was Tanya not?" 

"And assuming that the Mayor has ultimate authority can't the Commission or Phil, whoever's in position, ask them for the Mayor's help in removing Tanya?" 

This exchange happened at the end of a business day before weekend. The reply I received was an auto out of office response for the duration of a full week.  

My last reply...

"I found a copy of that City Charter online.  Within the four Zoo references, I didn't see, or maybe understand?  How it relates to current issue?"

"If issue thought to be, whoever hired Tanya, has to fire her, and if RecPark should have, or had previously approved the hire of Directors, wouldn't that be a loophole?  Tanya was only interim, so maybe RecPark didn't approve, and then that approval fell through cracks when she stayed indefinitely?"

"After the Tiger event in 2007, wasn't RecPark who called for then Director Manuel Mollinedo's resignation?"

"Regardless of any of this, the Mayor should be the Authority to Remove her from a City Owned Facility.  A Management entity can not possibly have the final say over a "business" they do not own."

End of Correspondence

Again, I read the Charter available online and found no references to Authority.

In light of the Mayor's deflection of Authority, I screen-capped the related entries from the Lease Agreement.  Unless I am not interpreting the wording accurately, the Agreement seems to clearly state, that the Recreation and Park Department, and Mayor, have Authority over the Zoological Society Board.

Note mentions of "City" refers to San Francisco, "SFZS" refers to the SF Zoological Society, "General Manager" refer to the GM of the SF Recreation and Park Dept, and "Commission" refers to the SF Recreation and Park Commission.

The fact remains, the Zoological Society, and Tanya Peterson as it's Director, are Management Entities.  The Zoo is City Owned.  Owners have Authority over Managers.  It's seemingly that simple.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,
#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie
#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison

News Alert! SF Mayor Speaks! Says Zoo Director Is Resigning!?

In my previous post, published this morning at 10:30a, I continued to express my disappointment in the silence of The City's Mayor, Daniel Lurie.  I've been going at him hardcore on blog posts, which I've sent him, and on Social Media. Additionally, doing the same to RecPark, urging them to ask the Mayor to assert Authority.  Hopefully it helped make a difference.

Coincidentally, a half hour ago,  twelve hours after publishing, I finally got around to sharing my post to friends.  As I was getting ready to close-up and watch a movie, my email Google News Alert for "san francisco zoo" came through.  Apparently, if I had searched News myself I would have seen the two articles on the results earlier today.  I've recently abandoned that habit.  Funny timing, considering the juicy bits of this development. 

So the Mayor is FINALLY getting in the game.  

First, the SF Chronicle's offering...

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/san-francisco-zoo-peterson-20398098.php

Highlight Quotes...

> Lurie told his advisers and one San Francisco supervisor that Peterson had said to him that she planned to resign as CEO and executive director of the San Francisco Zoological Society, which runs the city-owned zoo. On Friday evening, Lurie’s office issued a statement to the Chronicle welcoming the expected change in leadership. ... But on Friday night, Peterson’s spokesperson said she had no intention of leaving. <

> According to a source close to Lurie, Peterson told the mayor in their phone call that she would send in her resignation, supposedly to the Zoological Society, that day and would move on. The mayor then told Peterson he appreciated her service to the city. He also offered her an in-person meeting, but she said that wasn’t necessary because she would resign, according to the source. <

Aside from this He Said, She Said, in which Tanya Peterson once again, created a narrative to support the illusion she wanted to sell, which was seemingly to make the Mayor's head-spin, the other take-away unfortunately, is that the Mayor is supporting Pandas.  So, another person who has no idea about what bringing in Pandas at this time (before fixing Our Zoo), will do to Our Zoo, has stars in his eyes about this. ... I guess first things first.

The SF Standard's offering...

https://sfstandard.com/2025/06/28/sf-zoo-lurie-tanya-peterson/

> Lurie released a statement Friday night urging the zoo board to “develop a plan to name a new CEO,” <

Mayor Lurie also is seemingly fine with allowing the Zoological Society continue to run the show. Another action made wearing blinders.   The whole of management needs to be Restructured and the Society's role needs to be Redefined.  Removing the Puppet and keeping the Puppeteers, in my opinion, will not fix the main issues.

> The zoo is under the city’s Recreation and Parks Department but operates independently with its own governing board. While the mayor has no direct authority over the CEO’s employment, his involvement adds political pressure to the situation. <

Ugh, so apparently the Mayor is also declining to be an Authority in the situation.  Apparently either Deferring, or Relinquishing? the Authority to the Zoological Society, a Management entity of a City Owned Facility.  A real head-shaker, and unreal position to take as The City's Top Official.

So, I guess it's, Let The Games Begin!  

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,
#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie
#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison

Business As Usual For Zoo Director

Director Tanya Peterson continues to go about her business in the same way she has for the last seventeen years.  Her self-importance is non-wavering, showing her selfishness to remain in position.  She knows no one who cares about Our Zoo wants her there, and she doesn't care.  She's NEVER cared.  She's never cared about what's best for Our Zoo, and certainly not what's best for Our Zoo's Animals.  She was allegedly overheard saying, I don't care about the Animals.  

It's Sad.  It's Disgusting.  It's supported by the San Francisco Zoological Society Board.  It's allowed by The City, it's governing Department, RecPark and it's top Authority, Mayor Daniel Lurie.

I hadn't planned to post again until there was movement on a change in Management, or Madagascar was finished and I could finally fully complain about that shit-show.   

Last weekend presented an unusual vibe.  I was in for three days, and barely thought of Zoo issues.  Seriously, what more is there to think about?  I've thought.  I've reacted.  I've acted.  What more is there when not one person with Authority cares? 

I started this post and two others Wednesday, with the plan to post that day and the others Thursday, and Friday.  Be done and have another Zoo worry-free weekend.  I obviously didn't get that far, but it's fine.  

I no longer get worked-up, face pulsating, and body shaking with anxiety, over Zoo stuff.  After the Vote that resulted in Tanya Peterson remaining in position as Director, one Keeper expressed being "Mad".  I agree, Mad is the underlying feeling, but I think it's more Sad. I responded back that I wasn't Mad, which comprises a range of feelings, but I'm Frustrated and Disappointed.  I'm Disgusted and Disturbed.  I'm also extremely tired. 

This post was born out of my Zoo visits Monday and Tuesday.  I walk at the Zoo multiple times a week to get my exercise in, while being able to visit the Animal Friends I'm endeared to. The Zoo is still my happy place, even though there is so much about it that makes me unhappy.  I walk around and frown at the visual waste of money by Tanya Peterson on far too many things, over far too many years.  I fantasize about reversing all those wastes, fails in enclosure designs, and unnecessary wants that have littered the Zoo's landscape.  Unfortunately the list of damage keeps growing.  That said, the fantasy does include many doable improvements that could happen with just a change in management.  I can still see it.  Our Zoo reclaiming it's beauty out of the rubble left in Tanya's wake.   If only she were gone from Our Zoo.

Nothing says I don't give a shit, like being absent during the storm.  With all that's been going on, one would think being present would be a priority.  The Zoo has never been a Peterson priority.  Business as usual.  Tanya is allegedly on a trip.  Some aren't sure where, rumor is Africa.   Is she on a personally funded vacation, or a vacation that the Zoo is funding for her and who knows who else, under the guise of some work related excursion?  

Peterson recently held what some called a "secret" Fundraiser for Pandas, under the guise of full Asian Conservation, using the Orangutans in name, while keeping them housed on concrete islands, in an ancient enclosure, their upgrade from living in caged tubes.

She continues to create illusions of her greatness and care for Our Animals and Our Zoo.  Supported by the Zoological Society Board, friends of hers who likewise lack greatness and caring for Our Animals and Our Zoo, and pulling the wool over the eyes of those who don't know better, because they are too simple minded to seek and understand the Needs of Our Animals and Our Zoo due to Director Tanya Peterson's mass management fails.

The cycle of mismanagement continues, not like nothing has changed, but because nothing has changed.  And that's because she has been allowed to by what's left of the Society Board, the cowards at the Recreation and Park Department, and the avoidance of The City's Mayor.

Apparently no one with Authority will ever make any changes.  It's an easy fix to give our Zoo a fresh start.  Whether these entities are afraid, lazy or just don't care, it all comes down to them letting down not only Our Zoo as the historical jewel it's been to so many Natives lives, in addition to a visitor destination, but most importantly Our Zoo as an Animal Care Facility.  It is literally a place that takes care of Live Beings. 

The non-Human Residents of Our Zoo may not be homeless drug addicts living downtown, but they and their home, deserve equal thought and respect from The Mayor.

As the top Authority of Our City Owned Zoo, it's Shameful that San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, still remains silent.  It says alot about him.  

This week the Mayor posted that he had introduced legislation that will transform an area downtown... I left a comment in response which I'll reiterate here.  

Mayor Lurie - When are you going to help transform Our Zoo by asserting your Authority over the Zoological Society and Remove Tanya Peterson as Director of Our Zoo?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,
#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie
#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison

Apparently It Seems No City Authority Will Take Action To Remove Zoo Director

As I continue to distance myself from much of the Zoo bullshit, and wrap-up blogging, I still feel drawn to identify Why the entities who have Authority over the Zoological Society to Remove Tanya Peterson as Director of Our Zoo, have refused to.  This negligence is evident with their non-action. 

Friday afternoon I made a call to the Mayor's Office in a long-shot attempt of getting an answer to the simple question...

Does the Mayor have Authority over the Zoological Society? 

We all know the answer, but the curiosity and frustration of Why no Authority entity has asserted themselves, had me attempt to seek out what I could, if anything.

The Mayor has been completely silent regarding the Zoo, so silent one would think he doesn't even know the City he presides over, not only has a Zoo, but owns one.

I spoke with Nardi, the Mayor's Office Receptionist. After I relayed what I have known to be the hierarchy, she agreed that was accurate, but couldn't confirm.  I asked if she could confirm that with someone.  She put me on hold to do so, but her attempt was unsuccessful.  There was not one person available who could confirm the Mayor's Authority.  

I was given the options of leaving a message which would be recorded into the Community Relations Portfolio, I could also be added to a call-back list, and/or send an email.  Sending an email is completely useless for a response.  Sending one to supposedly have someone read it, and for it to be recorded, is the only reason I continue to.  When you do email, the auto reply states, response in three days.  That has never happened.

I then engaged with another source and during that exchange, it was revealed that there are questionable factors that have lead the Recreation and Park Department to believe that they do not have the Authority to Remove Tanya Peterson. 

I am continuing to investigate the validity of their disbelief.  Until I learn more, I'm choosing not to document further details.

That said, as the City Department tasked by the Mayor's Office, to be the Oversight entity (which is a managing component) for Our Zoo,  regardless of what they believe, THE question then is,...

Why has Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg, not asked for the Mayor to assert his Authority?

Ginsburg's obvious lack of action, has some of us wondering if he isn't a Tanya Peterson supporter, like the Board Members she has surrounded herself with?  Is he too protecting his friend?  Someone even questioned whether she had something on him?

Park Commissioner Larry Mazzola was quoted in a recent news article using the words, "Complete Embarrassment", in reference to Zoo leadership.   

For me the Embarrassment is that Authority Officials have let this go on as long as it has.  

It's an Embarrassment that Authority Officials are not taking steps to override a Management entity of a City owned facility.  

In what reality do Managers rank above Owners?

While I recognize that the Mayor, was busy the last couple days with concerns about keeping the Country's self-appointed King out of Our City, but When will he be concerned with keeping the self-appointed Queen out of Our Zoo?

Related Post:

*The Lack of Action by City Officials is Astonishing - And Disgusting

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-lack-of-action-by-city-officials-is.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,
#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie
#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison

The Lack of Action by City Officials is Astonishing - And Disgusting

At 10p, just over an hour ago, I got an email about this SF Standard article, published late afternoon.  I thought, I'll react tomorrow.  I'll make a video.  I'll go to RecPark Office.  

I'm just so disgusted by the Lack of Action by Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg and City Mayor Daniel Lurie, to put an end to this whole Zoo mess.  

I just don't understand it.  As someone who has been in management, who has fired employees for not doing their jobs, it escapes me how the satisfaction of being rid of the problem, has not moved either to act.

How can two grown men, be such cowards?

How can they allow this shit-show to continue?

https://sfstandard.com/2025/06/12/sf-zoo-4m-funding/

From the article...

>The zoo operates under the city’s Recreation and Parks Department and has its own governing board. Rec and Parks department head Phil Ginsburg told Chan at the Thursday board meeting that he understood where the concerns about the zoo were coming from.<

This is literally all he is quoted saying.  Not just in this particular circumstance, about the situation at all.  Other than a letter he sent Zoo Director Tanya Peterson about her non-compliance to the Audit, I don't recall him sounding off on anything that's happened, or surfaced over the last fourteen months of Our Zoo being in the news.  

Ginsburg seemingly continues to ignore what is allegedly the San Francisco Zoo hierarchy protocol, as the Zoo is in the Department he manages.   

Either the information former Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin confirmed to me is accurate and being ignored, or is inaccurate.  If the later, Why can't Phil Ginsburg and Mayor Daniel Lurie, comment one way or the other, Why they aren't taking any action?

People aren't stupid, Our Zoo is City Owned, there has to be an Authority above the Zoological Society, a management entity.  And that highest Authority, is allegedly the Mayor.

I'd go to Phil Ginsburg's Office at McClaren Lodge and ask him personally to settle this obvious curiosity, because frankly, Who is in charge, is extremely relevant at this point, but the last time I did that, Ginsburg cowered in his office and wouldn't talk to me.  

It's not like he, and the Mayor don't know that at least one City Resident wants this answer, because I have sent them both all my blog posts with letters, over the last two weeks.  They and their people are very well aware.   They apparently think they don't have to answer to anyone.  And they wonder why Tanya Peterson conducts herself in the same way.  

Why is it, Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg, and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, can not make a simple statement answering, Why they will not assert their alleged Authority over the Zoological Society, and Remove Tanya Peterson as Zoo Director?  

Instead, they support the Board of Supervisors withholding funds to the Zoo, a move that could be detrimental to the Animals.  

This action is not going to scare Tanya Peterson.  She is going to hold her position in the fight.  She has proven in so many ways that she doesn't care about Our Zoo or the Animals that live there.

No one really cares about Our Zoo.  If they did, someone would actually do something.  Someone with Authority would Remove the Problem.   

Unfortunately the two with Authority, Park GM Phil Ginsburg and City Mayor Daniel Lurie, either don't care, or don't have the guts.  

And it's Disgusting.

RecPark Commissioner Claims Dept Can't Make Zoo Do Anything!

On an hours sleep, I wrote this post last night just after 8p.  For two hours before the night ended I tried to order my paragraphs to flow.  I was not successful, it's 5:30a now, trying again.

Written Monday June 9.

Once again, after yesterday's post, I thought, I might get a break.  Silly me.  I guess there are going to be certain things that I'm going to just have to post about.  So, I'm not trying to be like bands that keep saying this is their final tour, I am striving to hang it up, but again certain things will have to be documented, and this is one of them.

The City's RecPark Commission Meeting was today. Commissioner Larry Mazzola had much to say related to Our Zoo.  Clearly disappointed, I appreciate his honesty and his outward frustration.  That said, while it seems he truly believes what he is saying, there are things that make no sense.

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be a bitch about this but there are many of us who are exhausted and frustrated by The City's refusal to Remove a "Manager" from position in a City owned facility.  While I was glad to finally hear someone on the Park Commission mention the need for Management change at Our Zoo, it still seems the Commissioners who have sat on what is a Zoo Oversight Committee, do not want to admit their part in what's happened to Our Zoo.  

And yes, I am going to be a Dog with a bone about this, because I have literally sat and watched the negligence of duty and responsibility for over fifteen years.  So, yeah I got a bone to pick and rightfully so.

The Meeting Video can be viewed at the link.  His words run less than five minutes, starting at 49:55 in, under Item 4 Comments.  It's quite a thing, so give it a watch.

sanfrancisco.granicus.com/player/clip/50166

Mazzola repeatedly stated that the RecPark's involvement on the (Joint Zoo) Committee is only "Advisory".  If that is accurate, then Why Do the Commissioners Vote on Items to Approve?

Considering Zoo Director Tanya Peterson does whatever she wants, if the Zoo (aka Tanya) didn't have a responsibility to report to the RecPark, the Zoo wouldn't. The Zoo surely wouldn't be " seeking advice".

Mazzola boldly stated, "It's not the Commissions fault what's going on at the Zoo".  

Ahhh, Yes, in part it is.  The RecPark and the Zoological Society Board, have ignored Our Zoo for seventeen years, deferring to Tanya instead of taking an active interest in how she was running the place. 

Commissioner Mazzola himself was on the Zoo Committee when it voted to approve the acquisition of Orangutans, which resulted in those two adult sized Great Apes living exclusively in caged tubes for eight months.  No one on the Committee or Board ever questions where acquired Animals are going to live.

Mazzola also states, the Commission, "Can't make them (the Zoo) do anything...", in reference to obtaining documents.  

That might be true, but there is a seemingly confirmed Authority entity within the RecPark Department, that can Fire Director Peterson.  They can sure do that and put an end to not only the non-compliance, but the hugest part of this whole mess.

Something Mazzola also mentioned that's a little mind-boggling, is how the Zoo's lawyer is seemingly allowed to dictate what the appointed City Official can and cannot have access to, within a City Owned facility.

So, I guess we got to rehash once again, as it is all encompassing, the Recreation and Park Department's role in relation to Our Zoo.  Not only has it been my understanding for many years, as well that of several very long-term Staffers, that the RecPark, is tasked with being an Oversight entity, for Our Zoo.  I posted recently my inquiry to Supervisor Aaron Peskin, then President of the Board of Supervisors, to confirm this.  I asked, What City entity has Authority over the Zoological Society?  The answer was, "Recreation and Parks Department, under the Mayor".

Maybe Mazzola can flat-out clarify, How his statements then support what everyone has thought, and was confirmed by former Supervisor Peskin, as they then do not make any sense.  Seemingly, the Rec and Park, as well as Mayor, have Authority over the Zoological Society, which includes Zoo Director Tanya Peterson.

This Authority most certainly makes sense, as once again I repeat and document, Our Zoo is OWNED by the City of San Francisco, and only MANAGED by the Zoological Society.

So it certainly appears that the RecPark, is not only an Oversight entity, but has Authority to OVERRIDE.   That said, it appears that Mazzola is trying to say that the Commissioners have no Authority?   Maybe that Authority solely falls on Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg?  Or maybe it's just the Mayors?

So, either the RecPark does not have the Authority that we all think, or this is a play on words so the RecPark can continue to do nothing about Our Zoo's desperate need to have Tanya Peterson Removed as Director of Our Zoo. Followed by an overhaul of management, that includes Restructuring the Society (which I think could be beneficial as a Fundraising entity only), and a Redefining of the RecPark's role.

That said, Commissioner Mazzola said, he'd like to see the "Zoological Society gone".

Does that mean he is calling on the Mayor to take care of this, since he claims the RecPark is only Advisory?

Regardless of whether the buck is being passed, there is a City Official Entity that certainly has Authority over the Zoological Society, and that Authority needs to Remove Tanya, and allow the team of managers currently at the Zoo who are willing and ready to take over, to do so.  Even if temporarily.

So, Please Commissioner Mazzola, and Park GM Phil Ginsburg, enlighten us all with what's what.

Related Post:

*My Reactions To Chronicle Article -Saturday April 20, 2024

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/04/my-reactions-to-chronicle-article_28.html

Here are the two portions of that post that pertain the Commissioner Mazzola.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,
#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie
#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison