Columbus Zoo Won't Try Levy Proposal On November Ballot

There was lively discussion at Wednesday’s Columbus Zoo board meeting. The issue? What to do next now that the levy proposal on the May ballot was soundly rejected by Franklin County voters. The Next Steps Committee had to decide whether the zoo would try to win voter approval for another levy, this time on the November ballot. Board Member Randy Schoedinger was brief: “We have one recommendation and that recommendation is not to go on the ballot this November,â€? Schoedinger said. Then came a unanimous vote to abandon a November levy attempt. Meanwhile, the zoo will begin an in-depth study of what people in the community want, from residents, to patrons, to politicians. Zoo director Tom Stalf promised a thorough examination. “We’re going to listen to ideas, we’re going to listen to concerns, throughout our community,â€? Stalf said. That’s something that at least one board member thought had not been done before. Jolene Hickman said, “We sat on our haunches hoping Jack Hanna would carry us through.â€?