|
|
|
|
: 3/2 large brick home, with large shop on 1 ac corner lot. $259,900. See pics @ or 576-4069.
For the Texas Zoo, Victoria’s alluring animal attraction, the staycation concept is a positive development.
We can think of few better family-oriented recreational opportunities than a short trip down to beautiful Riverside Park, hard by the Guadalupe River, and a visit to the home of more than 200 animals from some of the most biologically rich regions of the world.
Unfortunately, the Texas Zoo, like many public institutions supported by local communities, faces growing financial pressures.
The Advocate recently detailed some of the Zoo’s largest expense items, including medical and dental costs for animal residents, regular transportation to and from Houston and San Antonio, and food and other sustenance items.
None of that is getting any cheaper.
Yet Victoria’s City Council staff, in budget recommendations, has frozen funding levels for next year at $165,000 — the same as in current year. Zoo officials requested $200,000.
We strongly recommend that the city grant the Zoo’s request for the additional funding because, quite simply, it’s worth it.
These are important times for Victoria and the Crossroads community. Business leaders are working on a branding campaign for the city to increase its relevance among companies seeking new homes.
The prospect of a pair of nuclear power plants being built in the next decade, and the economic windfall that they would bring, is an exciting and welcome development.
The consideration of making the University of Houston-Victoria a four-year university has far-reaching implications for the community.
In short, there’s real reason for economic optimism for Victoria.
It would be a mistake to lessen our commitment to such a valuable asset as the Texas Zoo. Victoria’s bright future should include a viable and progressive Zoo, and that will require growing public and private support.
We applaud the Zoo’s efforts to enhance its own fund development activities, including improvements to the Zoo’s gift shop and creative community fund-raising events.
We urge the city to “pony up” the requested funding, just as we urge private citizens to support the Texas Zoo financially.