The Word of the Day is Mythomane

I love dictionary.com.  Each day I am supplied with a new "word of the day."  Today's word is mythomane.  It is a person with a strong or irresistible propensity for fantasizing, lying, or exaggerating. 

Perhaps some of you received the "No on Z" mailer a couple of weeks ago.  I saved it because it contained so many lies.  Let me tell you one false of the false statements found on that mailer.  (If you are interested in seeing for yourself, the same is found on the No campaign website.) 

According to the mythomane who wrote the flyer, "The Sea Lion Cove was budgeted at $5 million; it actually cost $10.5 million." 

Sorry, that just isn't correct, accurate or complete.  And for someone who has been opposing ANY expansion at the zoo since the inception of Measure Z, this mythomane should have a prick of consciousness for writing that! 

Here are the facts:  The concept of a sea lion exhibit was discussed for some time.  The old exhibit was ancient and not a great place for the sea lions.  Costs were considered.  Without budgeting, without even a plan, design, or schematic someone thought a sea lion exhibit would cost $5 million. 

Once everyone agreed on a new sea lion exhibit, money was allocated to develop a plan.  The architects created what we now know as Sea Lion Cove.  Only after

the design was complete could the costs be budgeted.  The budget was set at $10.5 million.  The budget was NEVER $5 million.  Only after the plan was created could costs be identified. 

Fresno's Chaffee Zoo Corporation ("ZooCorp"), who operates the zoo, went to the Fresno Zoo Tax Authority with a plan and a budget of $10.5 million.  The Tax Authority reviewed and approved the plans and costs. 

Construction commenced.  The project was completed early and for $70,000 less than budgeted. 

Sea Lion Cove is also largely responsible for increasing zoo attendance by 28 percent. 

And don't forget, Sea Lion Cove won the Top Honor Exhibit Award in 2014 from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  (See some great photos on the website of Matt Construction, the general contractor, here:  http://www.mattconstruction.com/news/sea-lion-cove-project-wins-top-honor-exhibit-award-at-national-aza-conferen 

Sea Lion Cove is exactly the type of project we want to see repeated over and over in Fresno.  On time, under budget, and recognized by the entire country as the best exhibit for 2014.  So much for the exaggerations and lies perpetuated by our community mythomane!