SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Conflict between the Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s nonprofit and the Onondaga County government is becoming public after nearly a year of rising tensions, though an agreement signed this week may signal possible repairs to that relationship.
Members of the Friends of the Zoo board are claiming that county executive Ryan McMahon has been retaliating against the organization. On Tuesday, Megan Thomas, vice chair of the board, and Andrew Brazill, the interim executive director, met with county legislators in hopes of easing the conflict, which Thomas said is “threatening the very existence of the Friends.”
“We are looking for increased accountability from the legislature on these matters and a continued partnership,” said Thomas. “We want to restore that partnership with the zoo in such a way that there is mutual respect and we can both do our jobs in the way that we need to.”…