What do they have in common?
Voters approved the $20 million bond for Greensboro’s Natural Science Center in the November 2009 municipal election. The science center has an excellent reputation here in G’boro, so much so that even the Rhino endorsed the bond:
To the best of our knowledge, The Rhino Times has never endorsed a bond, and as a rule we are opposed to increasing government spending. However, there are exceptions to every rule, and the
Greensboro Natural Science Center is that exception. We wholeheartedly endorse the $20 million Natural Science Center bond because the Natural Science Center does more with the tax dollars it receives than anyone else.The Natural Science Center, with the money it has received, has become an astounding facility. The plans for the $20 million are going to make it the first-of-its-kind facility in the state.
Now funding for the aquarium expansion is in question as the city grapples with a difficult budget year. Complicating matters is the breeding cycle of African penguins the center would hope to house once the SciQuarium is up and running. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums won’t send a breeding pair of penguins to a facility that doesn’t meet standards.
The N&R article expressed a sense of urgency over the situation, but science center director Glenn Dobrogosz said the worst that could happen is the center’s reputation could be damaged.
Bottom line is if there’s no money, there’s no money. Which is why some of us warn against voting for bonds, no matter how worthy the cause.
