Cherry Brook Zoo tries to reassure supporters about how money will be spent
Zoo's executive director says city money won't be spent fighting lawsuit by former director
The new executive director of Saint John's embattled Cherry Brook Zoo says the organization has insurance to cover the costs of fighting a lawsuit but needs money from the city to stay alive.
Martha McDevitt tried to reassure city councillors and others on Wednesday that money from the city and donors will not be used to fight a lawsuit by Leonard Collrin, the zoo's co-founder and former director.
The zoo has applied for a $50,000 grant from the city and expects to learn Monday whether it will be included in the city's 2017 budget.
"Not a dime is going to be going toward legal fees," said McDevitt, who was named executive director in November.
"This is all for the animals that are around us. It's all for keeping this place alive."
Concern for taxpayers
But even a long-time supporter has raised concerns.
Deputy Mayor Shirley McAlary said she worries about how a city grant for next year might be used.
"This is all taxpayers' money," McAlary said.
"I wouldn't want the money from the city going toward a legal situation."
Cherry Brook Zoo and Collrin parted ways in July, and the zoo and several members of the zoo board of directors are now defendants in the wrongful dismissal suit he's filed.
McDevitt said the zoo is in its "driest and darkest" season, but changes in governance and improvements to facilities will make the operation less dependent on the city.
The zoo remains open, and on Wednesday a large group of high school student volunteers from Ecole Samuel-de Champlain were at work on the property.
Coun. Gary Sullivan, an outspoken supporter of the zoo in past, said he will speak up for the zoo at Monday's council meeting.
Sullivan said the zoo has a reorganized board of directors and new management.
"Everything I have seen has been very positive in what they are doing," he said.
"I think it's a good time to invest and give them a boost and keep going."
Sullivan said the lawsuit should not be allowed to disrupt operations at the zoo.
Collrin and his wife, Lynda, founded Cherry Brook Zoo in 1978. In July of this year, the zoo announced the Collrins were no longer associated with the operation.
Leonard Collrin's lawsuit alleges, among other things, unjust dismissal, lost personal property and defamation of character.
His statement of claim says that he was suspended from his job July 6 and that three police cars arrived that day to evict him Lynda, from their home on zoo property.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.