So essentially, I was urging him to accept them. And we developed a rapport. He was one of the first persons that believed in my integrity that I could do what I said I’d do. I said, yes, that I’ll do this. We’ll get the help of the San Diego Zoo. They recognized this great opportunity. And he said, “Well, Paul, if we accept the animals, if I urge the park department, park board members to accept the animals, I can’t guarantee you, and we’ll establish a position of zoo director, but it’ll have to be within the civil service structure. And I can’t guarantee that somebody else won’t be appointed.
