Saint Wenceslaus Roman Catholic Church
2111 Ashland Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21205
410-675-7304
Mr. Donald Hutchinson
President and CEO of the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
1 Safari Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21217
2111 Ashland Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21205
410-675-7304
Mr. Donald Hutchinson
President and CEO of the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
1 Safari Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21217
July 24, 2017
Dear Mr. Hutchinson:
Greetings from St. Wenceslaus Church, Baltimore! I’m sending this letter to you via email, but I’ve also sent a “hard copy” to you through the U.S. Postal Service.
I’m writing because of an unfortunate incident that occurred this past Friday (July 21, 2017) during a field trip with children from our church to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Please see the attachment to this letter that includes a narrative I wrote explaining the entire incident.
I’m a native Baltimorean and have been enjoying the zoo in Druid Hill Park for my entire life. I have fond childhood memories, from as early as the mid-1960s, of going to the zoo with my family; even in recent times I’ve enjoyed visiting, and I’ve been so very happy to see renovations, new exhibits, and the wonderful modern facilities that have been constructed at the zoo. Now that I’m a bit older, it continues to be a great pleasure for me to witness the fascination and joy of children as they venture through the park. And I’m genuinely impressed with the fantastic progress the zoo has obviously made in becoming a “world-class” zoological park. There can be no doubt this is largely due to your great dedication and leadership, to the commitment of devoted donors, and to the tireless efforts of your staff and the park’s management personnel. I believe the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is a great jewel for our city, and it also gives the citizens of our state another reason for much pride as we welcome visitors among us!
Every year, our church’s “summer day camp” is run by the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity, a women’s religious community best known for being founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The sisters reside in the convent located next to St. Wenceslaus Church. The camp is operated in our parish’s church hall; it’s located at 2100 E. Madison Street and is known as “the Lyceum.” The ages of the children who participate in the camp range from four to thirteen years old. This past Friday morning, the children were very excited and happy when we departed for our field trip to the zoo. And even though it was very hot and humid, I believe the children thoroughly enjoyed almost their entire visit. During our five-hour journey through the park, the staff and volunteers were very welcoming, and they engaged our children with their skillful and wonderful presentations. It was obvious to me the park personnel really love their work, and all along the way, they very enthusiastically engaged our children as they cleverly taught them about the animals and their habitats.
1/2
- - - - - - - - - -
2/2
Unfortunately, at the end of our journey through the zoo, we had a very unpleasant experience with some of the zoo’s staff; an incident that effectively threw a lamentable pall over what otherwise had been a wonderful day. I firmly believe the unfortunate actions of some zoo personnel (described in the attached document) actually endangered the health and safety of our children, and this is why I feel compelled to write to you.
In my narrative, I offer my perceptions about what happened, and I also make reference to the possibility of racial insensitively on the part of some zoo personnel. Such an insensitivity may or may not have been the case (but if so, should certainly be addressed), but more importantly, I believe what’s most despicable about this incident was that the health and safety our children were jeopardized by members of the zoo staff. In addition, and because we cooperated with their poor judgement, our chaperones (including me, two religious sisters, two other adults, and four senior high school aged “junior” volunteers), were literally forced into complicity with these hapless actions.
I don’t believe this incident in any way “characterizes” the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, and this is why I wish to bring it to your attention. I’m sure you want to protect and encourage the best interests of all visitors who walk through the gates of the zoo, especially those who are children.
I am copying this email to others whom I believe should be made aware of this situation. I would very much appreciate a prompt reply from you, or from someone in your office.
Thank you, and very sincerely yours,
[SIGNED]
Friar Timothy P. Dore, OFM Conv.
Pastor of St. Wenceslaus Church, Baltimore
cc:
Dear Mr. Hutchinson:
Greetings from St. Wenceslaus Church, Baltimore! I’m sending this letter to you via email, but I’ve also sent a “hard copy” to you through the U.S. Postal Service.
I’m writing because of an unfortunate incident that occurred this past Friday (July 21, 2017) during a field trip with children from our church to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Please see the attachment to this letter that includes a narrative I wrote explaining the entire incident.
I’m a native Baltimorean and have been enjoying the zoo in Druid Hill Park for my entire life. I have fond childhood memories, from as early as the mid-1960s, of going to the zoo with my family; even in recent times I’ve enjoyed visiting, and I’ve been so very happy to see renovations, new exhibits, and the wonderful modern facilities that have been constructed at the zoo. Now that I’m a bit older, it continues to be a great pleasure for me to witness the fascination and joy of children as they venture through the park. And I’m genuinely impressed with the fantastic progress the zoo has obviously made in becoming a “world-class” zoological park. There can be no doubt this is largely due to your great dedication and leadership, to the commitment of devoted donors, and to the tireless efforts of your staff and the park’s management personnel. I believe the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is a great jewel for our city, and it also gives the citizens of our state another reason for much pride as we welcome visitors among us!
Every year, our church’s “summer day camp” is run by the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity, a women’s religious community best known for being founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The sisters reside in the convent located next to St. Wenceslaus Church. The camp is operated in our parish’s church hall; it’s located at 2100 E. Madison Street and is known as “the Lyceum.” The ages of the children who participate in the camp range from four to thirteen years old. This past Friday morning, the children were very excited and happy when we departed for our field trip to the zoo. And even though it was very hot and humid, I believe the children thoroughly enjoyed almost their entire visit. During our five-hour journey through the park, the staff and volunteers were very welcoming, and they engaged our children with their skillful and wonderful presentations. It was obvious to me the park personnel really love their work, and all along the way, they very enthusiastically engaged our children as they cleverly taught them about the animals and their habitats.
1/2
- - - - - - - - - -
2/2
Unfortunately, at the end of our journey through the zoo, we had a very unpleasant experience with some of the zoo’s staff; an incident that effectively threw a lamentable pall over what otherwise had been a wonderful day. I firmly believe the unfortunate actions of some zoo personnel (described in the attached document) actually endangered the health and safety of our children, and this is why I feel compelled to write to you.
In my narrative, I offer my perceptions about what happened, and I also make reference to the possibility of racial insensitively on the part of some zoo personnel. Such an insensitivity may or may not have been the case (but if so, should certainly be addressed), but more importantly, I believe what’s most despicable about this incident was that the health and safety our children were jeopardized by members of the zoo staff. In addition, and because we cooperated with their poor judgement, our chaperones (including me, two religious sisters, two other adults, and four senior high school aged “junior” volunteers), were literally forced into complicity with these hapless actions.
I don’t believe this incident in any way “characterizes” the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, and this is why I wish to bring it to your attention. I’m sure you want to protect and encourage the best interests of all visitors who walk through the gates of the zoo, especially those who are children.
I am copying this email to others whom I believe should be made aware of this situation. I would very much appreciate a prompt reply from you, or from someone in your office.
Thank you, and very sincerely yours,
[SIGNED]
Friar Timothy P. Dore, OFM Conv.
Pastor of St. Wenceslaus Church, Baltimore
cc:
Ms. Jenn McDonald
The Honorable Catherine E. Pugh
Mr. Jack Young
Archbishop William Lori
Bishop Denis Madden
Sr. Gwynette Proctor
Ms. Kathy Egloft
Ms. Bridget Holley
Mr. Ralph Moore
The Honorable Catherine E. Pugh
Mr. Jack Young
Archbishop William Lori
Bishop Denis Madden
Sr. Gwynette Proctor
Ms. Kathy Egloft
Ms. Bridget Holley
Mr. Ralph Moore
Ms. Dana Petersen Moore, Esq.
No comments:
Post a Comment