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Michigan City zoo director suspended

By Stan Maddux Times Correspondent | Posted: Thursday, October 20, 2011 3:13 pm | (4) Comments

MICHIGAN CITY | The director of Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City has been disciplined for having what was described as an "after-hours" party at the zoo.

Among the violations cited against Johnny Martinez were concessions such as ice cream and slushies being eaten without paying for the items and not picking up the litter.

Originally, Martinez was suspended by parks Superintendent Jan Orlich for five days, but that was increased to 20 days Wednesday by the Michigan City Park Board.

The board's decision came at the recommendation of Orlich, who submitted a written statement to the board.

In her statement, Orlich said "quite a bit" of concessions were consumed and not paid for during the late September party.

She also said the grounds were littered with empty cups, ice cream wrappers and empty soft drink and water bottles.

The doors on the primate house also were left open during the night, allowing the temperature in the building equipped with a furnace to fall into the lower 60s.

Park Board President Phillip Freese said he talked to Martinez, but would not reveal the type of party that was thrown or if alcohol was served.

Freese said the suspension strikes a fair balance because Martinez could have been fired, but his work over the years has been outstanding and there was a desire to keep him on staff.

"He's done a tremendous job. Anybody that has visited (the zoo) lately would be impressed with the displays that are there, the improvements and the cleanliness," Freese said.

The zoo, established in 1928, has undergone a series of major upgrades the last several years in an effort to make the facility more of a regional attraction.

On the drawing board is an upcoming renovation to the popular Monkey Island, which was closed over the summer due to safety concerns.

Freese said Orlich had the authority to suspend Martinez for up to five days.

The 15 additional days was the decision of the board at the request of Orlich.

Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte...l#ixzz1bQm7IO3t

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Zoo director suspended

Martinez out of work for 20 days for after-hours party at the zoo
By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, October 20, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Washington Park Zoo Director Johnny Martinez has received a 20-day suspension and will be placed on 90 days probation as the result of an after-hours party Sept. 24 at the zoo.

Park Department Superintendent Jan Orlich said she originally issued Martinez a five-day suspension for what occurred at the party he organized.

“That night, quite a bit of concession items were consumed and not paid for,” Orlich said in a statement read Wednesday night to the Park Board.

The outer doors to the primate house, a building in which Orlich previously said needed a furnace replacement, were left “wide open.”

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“The temperature the next morning was down to 62 degrees when it should be at 72 degrees for the animals,” she said. “This is a safety issue not only for our keepers, but the animals as well.”

Orlich added that “items such as empty marshmallow bags were found in the trash cans, along with empty Slushee cups, ice cream wrappers and empty Gatorade and water bottles.”

Although Orlich said these offenses were “terminable,” she feels Martinez has contributed “a great deal” to the zoo and opted against letting him go.

She said while speaking to Martinez, he has agreed to “make full restitution for concession items consumed.”

But she did recommend the board issue Martinez an additional 15-day suspension.

“I am especially disheartened since the Park Department has worked so hard to establish concession revenue under much duress and protest,” Orlich said. “The revenues from our concession are there to help offset the cost of zoo food.”

The board unanimously agreed with the recommendation.

Martinez will be under probation for 90 days upon his return from suspension, being required to report to Orlich every 30 days.

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http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/1...36800289799.txt

Zoo director suspension handled professionally

Published: Friday, October 21, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
An unauthorized after-hours party at the zoo has resulted in a 20-day suspension for zoo director Johnny Martinez.

It’s disheartening that a respected and well-liked employee must face a public disciplinary action – but the circumstances and fallout from the incident warrant the suspension and the 90-day probationary period that will be required upon his return from suspension.

According to Park Superintendent Jan Orlich, “quite a bit” of zoo concession items were consumed and not purchased at the party. Outer doors to the primate house were left open, resulting in the temperature falling to 62 degrees from the 72 degrees it should have been, jeopardizing the safety of the animals as well as their caretakers.

Martinez has agreed to make full restitution for the concession items.

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Orlich should be commended for handling the incident in a way that allows Martinez to return to the zoo for another chance. She also was forthcoming about why she made the decision and was open with the public and media about her recommendation and the board’s decision. While the party incident is a disappointing moment for the zoo this year, Orlich’s ability to handle it professionally and proactively is reassuring for the future.