SNM Funding in Peril? (5/18/2009)

[DEEPNHOCK]

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090517/News01/905170359/1130

(see link for complete story)

(excerpt)
South Bend has measured that desire with a random survey of 400 residents, conducted March 30 through April 1. The city will share the results at this week's meetings.

Thirty-three percent said they supported cutting or eliminating funding for "venues unique to South Bend, such as the Morris Performing Arts Center, Studebaker Museum and East Race Waterway."

Last year, the city spent a combined $1 million, or about 1.5 percent of total spending, on those three facilities.

Becky Bonham, director of the Studebaker National Museum, reacted with disappointment to the survey results.

"I understand that human needs, in times like these, take precedence over cultural things," Bonham said. "But we need to work harder to show our value and benefit to people. I'm not sure what we can do more. We've done everything but stand on our head."

Bonham noted that about half the museum's collection of artifacts belongs to the city, including the carriage that Abraham Lincoln rode in the night he was assassinated. A buyer offered the museum $1 million for the carriage a few years ago, and that was before it was fully restored, she said.

If the city closed down the museum, it would still need to pay someone to maintain the artifacts.

"They're not giving us money out of the goodness of their heart," she said.

[studegary]

The City of South Bend seems to be forgetting that they made an agreement with Studebaker to properly house and maintain the collection in exchange for the collection, which is worth millions.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer

[Roscomacaw]

Grate news.[V]

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1963 Cruiser
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President two door

[JBOYLE]

What no "stimulus" money? [}]

63 Avanti R1 2788
1914 Stutz Bearcat
(George Barris replica)

Washington State

[R2Andrea]

Of course there is no mention of the Football Hall of Shame that tax payers have been forced to foot the bill for since it's creation. Especially after we were assured by the former mayor that it would all be funded by corporate and private money. And no mention of the fact the Century Center is bankrolled and subsidized by the tax payers as well. Ahhhhh yes, business as usual in South Bend.


R2Andy

[Dave Bates]

That means 67% approve.Could be worse.

[DEEPNHOCK]

Now a 'Town Hall Meeting' is scheduled.....

http://www.fox28.com/Global/story.asp?S=10392582

Step by step... The city is going through the motions[V]

[BobPalma]

quote:Originally posted by R2Andy

Of course there is no mention of the Football Hall of Shame that tax payers have been forced to foot the bill for since it's creation. Especially after we were assured by the former mayor that it would all be funded by corporate and private money. And no mention of the fact the Century Center is bankrolled and subsidized by the tax payers as well. Ahhhhh yes, business as usual in South Bend.

Amen, Andy!

In 2000, I was instrumental in the Indiana State Museum acquiring a 1950 Champion DeLuxe 2-door for permanent display at the new Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis, where it is today. The car was in southwest Ohio, so I made two round trips there with the museum's Curator of Americana, Dale Ogden.

In the course of those trips, Dale told me all about the boondoggle that was The College Football Hall of Fame, the two previous locations where it lost money, and what a known, foolish idea it had been for then-Mayor Joe Kernan and cronies to move it to South Bend.

But move it there they did, and the rest is the easily-documented-as-predictable history you observe, Andy.[xx(] BP

[R2Andrea]

There have been several locations wanting the Hall of Shame but our city fathers won't let go. There are even council members who want it gone but Nooo. And the city has money to buy and clear property around the SB Silverhawks stadium, an organization run by former mayor and Lt. Govenor Joe Kernan. Hmmmmmmmm..... Oh, and still no mention of the HoS in any budget suggestions.

R2Andy