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Seabird Sanctuary answers critics
By WAYNE AYERS
Article published on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 |
INDIAN SHORES – Allegations of inappropriate spending and rumors of director Ralph Heath’s departure were refuted by an official of the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary.
Suzanne Sakal, the Sanctuary’s public relations director, said that recent media reports giving the organization low marks for its spending practices were a case of “looking at spending without any real knowledge of the circumstances.”
The reports had described the Sanctuary as “awash in red ink” and speculated on its possible demise.
The groups evaluating the Sanctuary as a charitable organization quoted in the reports “looked at the bottom line of a 990 (tax form), not the way it’s broken down,” according to Sakal.
As an example, Sakal said that a $305,000 loss reported on the Sanctuary’s 2004 tax return was an “accounting procedure” involving the sale of the organization’s 54-foot sailboat Timura.
The boat was donated to the Sanctuary two years ago at an appraised value of $385,000 set by the donor. The Sanctuary later sold the boat for $80,000 and reported the $305,000 difference as a tax write-off, Sakal said. The item showed up as a loss on the company’s balance sheet.
Questions also were raised about another boat, a 65-foot yacht called Whisker, that the Sanctuary purchased in 1988, ostensibly for research purposes. The report charged that the boat was luxuriously outfitted and used primarily for for-profit charter operations in Key West. The yacht is currently dry-docked near Weedon Island.
Sakal said that the boat has been used for numerous research projects during its years of service. She cited projects involving the State of Florida, Sea World and an EarthWatch project, which she said featured WFLA news anchor Bob Hite. The reports critical of the Sanctuary appeared on WFLA and its media partner the Tampa Tribune.
In between the research projects, the boat was used in charter operations, which included ecotrips and fishing trips, according to Sakal. The charters were based at first at John’s Pass and later moved to Key West, a more financially lucrative site, Sakal said.
“Research was the first (priority) business. The charters were used to help pay for (the boat),” she said.
Sakal said the Seabird Sanctuary has faced “some very difficult times” since 9/11.
“Have we had our ups and downs? Absolutely,” she said.
Commenting on the Sanctuary’s dire financial picture as presented in the media reports, founder Ralph Heath said that difficulties emerged in 2001 when the 9/11 attacks occurred just as the new on-site hospital was being completed.
Heath said that donations slacked off and the Sanctuary had to divert general operating revenues to pay for completion of the $650,000 hospital.
As to the current financial status of the organization, Heath said, “It is taking a lot of work to build us back up.”
Regarding the organization’s financial practices, Sakal said, “The problem is we’re too darned honest. Everything goes where it’s supposed to go.”
Heath draws an annual salary of $36,458 as director of the Seabird Sanctuary, Sakal said. She said that other staffers are paid “proportionately less.”
She said that the Seabird Sanctuary’s financial statements are all a matter of public record and can be viewed on the Internet.
“We invite people to come here, visit, and make their own determination,” she said.
Rumors had circulated that Heath had left town with some of the organization’s funds.
“My honest opinion is that this is a malicious campaign to get us out of here, get rid of the Sanctuary, and develop the land,” Heath said.
Sakal said that Heath has dedicated his life to the Seabird Sanctuary since founding the operation in 1971 on land that his parents owned. She said that Heath leases the property to the Sanctuary for $1 a year and has resisted lucrative offers to sell the beachfront site and fought with “neighbors who would like to force us out and see condos built.”
The gulf-front property is tucked in between residential properties – condominiums – in Indian Shores, nearly on the Redington Shores line.
Heath’s mother, Helen, is still associated with the Sanctuary and serves as its treasurer. His father died in 1986.
Heath reaffirmed his intentions to keep the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary operating as a refuge for sick and injured birds.
“I’ve been here 35 years,” Heath said. “When I see injured birds actually walk up to the Sanctuary seeking help, it bolsters my intention to stay another 35.
“We’re here to stay and take care of the wildlife because they need it.”
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Article published on Wednesday, March 15, 2006
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