Zoo Director's Husband Responds To Recent Chronicle Article

Yesterday was long, and I didn't read the email that this came thru in.  Director Tanya Peterson's new husband Greg Dayton responded via a Letter to the Editor (August 1) to the last article published by the Chronicle in their series of efforts exposing fails at the Zoo under Peterson's mismanagement.

My previous post, contains the link to the article.

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/07/my-thoughts-and-reflections-on-new.html

As someone who was in management for over twenty years, I came away from his Letter, recalling a phone conversation with one of my employees husbands.  In my opinion, hearing spouses tout eachother in certain ways, rubs me the wrong way.

Start Letter to Editor > Regarding “S.F. Zoo has hired several friends and relatives of CEO — and plugs her husband’s love song” (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, July 23): The insinuation that my wife, Tanya Peterson, the San Francisco Zoo’s executive director and CEO, used her position to advance my music career is grossly inaccurate and deeply damaging to the reputation of a devoted public servant and a beloved city institution.

Here are the facts: I am a professional singer-songwriter and a proud inductee of the New York Blues Hall of Fame. The zoo’s marketing partners suggested I donate a portion of my song, “See My Baby,” to be used in the zoo’s radio advertisements to promote attendance. Tanya didn’t influence this decision in any way. 

I received credit on the zoo’s website, a standard gesture by institutions in exchange for pro bono song usage. Additionally, the crowdfunding campaign for my album “Here to Stay” had no involvement from the zoo’s resources or mailing lists.

Under Tanya’s leadership, the zoo’s attendance has soared to unprecedented levels. Her 16 years of service have resulted in substantial financial contributions, benefiting the animals and funding the new exhibits. The pending arrival of pandas is a testament to her tireless efforts and commitment to the zoo. 

Greg Dayton, Sausalito < End Letter to Editor

In reference to the allegations made in that article, I actually thought bringing up Dayton's appearances at the Zoo's Sunset Friday's music events and use of his song, falling under nepotism, was a bit much, a stretch actually.  As someone who has been friends with many musicians through my lifetime, if I worked at the Zoo, or any other place, and thought someone I knew was a good fit for an event, I'd suggest them as well.  That said, having him perform every week, didn't look too good.

I have no problem with him setting that record straight, but while his points to alleged (I personally don't know if they are accurate) facts are valid, I think he should have left out his last paragraph.

I don't think you can have an unbiased opinion about someone you share a bed with.

I'm assuming and pretty sure Dayton has not been involved with Director Peterson for all of her sixteen year tenure and only has her words, which are often littered with self-importance, illusions and untruths, to go by. 

Let us not forget, this is a woman who is in the highest leadership role at the San Francisco Zoo, an Animal Care Facility, who among so many other offenses too lengthy to name, sought and fought to acquire Orangutans, yet had no place to properly house them.  Forced them to live in caged tubes exclusively for eight months, with a total duration of near two years, before getting access to an ancient enclosure.  

Everyone who witnessed these Great Apes, in the cages, looking down on the Chimpanzees in a new yard, had our souls weeping.  Myself and their care staff, crying at the cruelty.  Did Tanya shed any tears?  No.  Instead she posted to her social media during the pandemic, making a joke of them in cages, as "social distancing".  

I'd like for Tanya's hubby to respond to those Facts.  

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