<font face='verdana' size='1' color =#CC0000><b> * NEW * </b></font> Ousted veterinarian to take his case to zoo directors
3/16/2005Dismissed Toledo Zoo veterinarian Tim Reichard will get his "day in court" tomorrow when he makes his case before the zoo s board of directors.
After 22 years with the zoo, Dr. Reichard was fired Feb. 28.
He will make a presentation to the board during tomorrow s 5 p.m. meeting. No final decisions about the controversial firing will be made at the meeting, which will be closed to the media and public.
Dr. Reichard believes he was demoted and then fired after speaking candidly to U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors last year about problems with animal care at the zoo.
Zoo officials have maintained that he was terminated because of concerns about his administrative and management style.
In addition to the Zoo board s inquiry into the firing, the Lucas County Commissioners are initiating a citizens task force to examine the operations of Toledo s famed 104-year-old zoo.
Dr. Reichard initially told the zoo board he would not be available for a meeting on Thursday, but he has changed that statement today making way for the meeting to take place.
Contact Steve Eder at:
seder@theblade.com
or 419-724-6728
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