Mo' Money MCHS edition - The Ludington Torch2024-03-28T09:55:44Zhttp://ludingtoncitizen.ning.com/forum/topics/mo-money-mchs-edition?xg_source=activity&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThanks shinblind, for the lin…tag:ludingtoncitizen.ning.com,2017-04-18:4689834:Comment:3436872017-04-18T01:30:08.787ZAQUAMANhttp://ludingtoncitizen.ning.com/profile/AQUAMAN
<p>Thanks shinblind, for the link on David Petersen's letter to the editor. He IS a great local historian, and also has written several books on our area, very photographical too. And I agree, no transparency for documents both he and X requested are denied? Wth kind of group seeking public funds does that? This is all becoming more silly by the day, and month. I know there were several locals that donated very heavily toward the Maritime Museum. One was the Birtwhistle's and several other…</p>
<p>Thanks shinblind, for the link on David Petersen's letter to the editor. He IS a great local historian, and also has written several books on our area, very photographical too. And I agree, no transparency for documents both he and X requested are denied? Wth kind of group seeking public funds does that? This is all becoming more silly by the day, and month. I know there were several locals that donated very heavily toward the Maritime Museum. One was the Birtwhistle's and several other local industrialists. Now look at the situation. Even MCHS Board members won't contribute a measely $1,000, and then resign.</p> It is not even well thought…tag:ludingtoncitizen.ning.com,2017-04-17:4689834:Comment:3438692017-04-17T22:42:53.530Zshinblindhttp://ludingtoncitizen.ning.com/profile/shinblind
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<p>It is not even well thought out by the Mason County Historical Society.</p>
<p>Why piss away $900,000 on a research library and welcome center that will be closed a majority of the year. Wouldn't a better location for the library be old downtown bank where the sports museum is to be located? </p>
<p>Couldn't it then be operated year around?</p>
<p>Would combining the two, the research library and sports museum save money?</p>
<p>Wouldn't the history of the County be better preserved…</p>
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<p>It is not even well thought out by the Mason County Historical Society.</p>
<p>Why piss away $900,000 on a research library and welcome center that will be closed a majority of the year. Wouldn't a better location for the library be old downtown bank where the sports museum is to be located? </p>
<p>Couldn't it then be operated year around?</p>
<p>Would combining the two, the research library and sports museum save money?</p>
<p>Wouldn't the history of the County be better preserved and protected in a former bank vault?</p>
<p>Did they even consider this?</p>
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<p></p> Great essay by the second-bes…tag:ludingtoncitizen.ning.com,2017-04-17:4689834:Comment:3438682017-04-17T21:37:26.274ZXLFDhttp://ludingtoncitizen.ning.com/profile/TheLudingtonCitizen
<p>Great essay by the second-best known historian of the area (after William Anderson). My favorite part:</p>
<p>"The Federal tax return the 990 is required by law to be shared and the public allowed to have a copy of those forms, but not much else. I requested a copy of the 2016 990 filing from MCHS and a copy of the bylaws and I was refused those documents. I’d like to see a more detailed budget and copies of board minutes, if we are being asked to provide public funding should we ask for…</p>
<p>Great essay by the second-best known historian of the area (after William Anderson). My favorite part:</p>
<p>"The Federal tax return the 990 is required by law to be shared and the public allowed to have a copy of those forms, but not much else. I requested a copy of the 2016 990 filing from MCHS and a copy of the bylaws and I was refused those documents. I’d like to see a more detailed budget and copies of board minutes, if we are being asked to provide public funding should we ask for less?"</p>
<p>Nope. The unfairness to other historical-oriented groups unwilling to take our money through the power of the state and local treasurers was my second favorite part.</p> Local Historian also against…tag:ludingtoncitizen.ning.com,2017-04-17:4689834:Comment:3439602017-04-17T20:55:40.446Zshinblindhttp://ludingtoncitizen.ning.com/profile/shinblind
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<p>Local Historian also against the upcoming millage.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.masoncountypress.com/2017/04/17/reader-historical-society-millage-request-wrong-direction-for-history-culture-and-arts/" target="_blank">http://www.masoncountypress.com/2017/04/17/reader-historical-society-millage-request-wrong-direction-for-history-culture-and-arts/</a></p>
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<p>Local Historian also against the upcoming millage.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.masoncountypress.com/2017/04/17/reader-historical-society-millage-request-wrong-direction-for-history-culture-and-arts/" target="_blank">http://www.masoncountypress.com/2017/04/17/reader-historical-society-millage-request-wrong-direction-for-history-culture-and-arts/</a></p> Correct Aquaman, it is 2 mon…tag:ludingtoncitizen.ning.com,2017-04-05:4689834:Comment:3435692017-04-05T17:44:03.619Zshinblindhttp://ludingtoncitizen.ning.com/profile/shinblind
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<p>Correct Aquaman, it is 2 months before the Maritime Museum even opens and they are planning to hit up the county taxpayers up for another $600,000 so that they can complete their exhibits.</p>
<p>What the hell they already went through $4,000,000 and they didn't think far enough ahead that they might need some finished exhibits?</p>
<p>If this ever shows up on the August ballot please go to the polls and VOTE NO.</p>
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<p>Correct Aquaman, it is 2 months before the Maritime Museum even opens and they are planning to hit up the county taxpayers up for another $600,000 so that they can complete their exhibits.</p>
<p>What the hell they already went through $4,000,000 and they didn't think far enough ahead that they might need some finished exhibits?</p>
<p>If this ever shows up on the August ballot please go to the polls and VOTE NO.</p> The Finance and Rules Cmte. w…tag:ludingtoncitizen.ning.com,2017-04-04:4689834:Comment:3433752017-04-04T22:45:58.535ZAQUAMANhttp://ludingtoncitizen.ning.com/profile/AQUAMAN
<p>The Finance and Rules Cmte. will also have a mtg. this week on Friday, April 7th, at 2pm, as shinblind's link for MCP says. That's right now on Friday at the MC Courthouse. That mtg. should also be open to the public, or is it? As far as free attendees on school field trips, I would encourage that too. But is that the majority of visitors? If so, then this millage request is benign imho. They should be soliciting more donations, from public events to promote this, picnics, BBQ's, car shows,…</p>
<p>The Finance and Rules Cmte. will also have a mtg. this week on Friday, April 7th, at 2pm, as shinblind's link for MCP says. That's right now on Friday at the MC Courthouse. That mtg. should also be open to the public, or is it? As far as free attendees on school field trips, I would encourage that too. But is that the majority of visitors? If so, then this millage request is benign imho. They should be soliciting more donations, from public events to promote this, picnics, BBQ's, car shows, beach parties, anything that attracts attention and gets people out for support. Taxing more is a poor idea, and just generates more dependence for government $$$. Hope some people go this Friday for an update on how things are going to shape up.</p> Aquaman you are correct, that…tag:ludingtoncitizen.ning.com,2017-04-04:4689834:Comment:3435652017-04-04T21:40:01.693Zshinblindhttp://ludingtoncitizen.ning.com/profile/shinblind
<p>Aquaman you are correct, that phrase is confusing.</p>
<p>That twisted nomenclature was how it was stated in the "Pure Ludington" press release, r calling them "attendees" rather than paying visitors. Since they used the word "attendees" I used the same word, but it doesn't distinguish between those who pay to cross the threshold of White Pine Village and those who don't. Are the school children who visit White Pine Village for field trips considered attendees? I would think so and I would…</p>
<p>Aquaman you are correct, that phrase is confusing.</p>
<p>That twisted nomenclature was how it was stated in the "Pure Ludington" press release, r calling them "attendees" rather than paying visitors. Since they used the word "attendees" I used the same word, but it doesn't distinguish between those who pay to cross the threshold of White Pine Village and those who don't. Are the school children who visit White Pine Village for field trips considered attendees? I would think so and I would also assume that they did not pay full fare or any fare for admittance.</p>
<p>In retrospect it would have been better to have written; <br/> 8,615 attendees [not all paid admission] were visitors to White Pine Village last year. That generated less than $100,000 in gate revenue.<br/> Another point I left out was that with only around $100,000 in gate revenue, the 5 years that they claim the millage would run would in fact have to be renewed every 5 years in order to pay the initial $2,500,000 cost of improvements.</p>
<p>I have no idea where they got their estimates for the construction costs. Your point on that is also valid and a concern.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pureludington.com/documents/LACVB2016tourismeconimpactrelease-2.24.17.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.pureludington.com/documents/LACVB2016tourismeconimpactrelease-2.24.17.pdf</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.masoncountypress.com/2017/03/31/historical-society-asking-for-millage-to-help-cover-capital-improvements/" target="_blank">http://www.masoncountypress.com/2017/03/31/historical-society-asking-for-millage-to-help-cover-capital-improvements/</a></p> Those tidbits are interesting…tag:ludingtoncitizen.ning.com,2017-04-04:4689834:Comment:3431522017-04-04T21:14:27.352ZXLFDhttp://ludingtoncitizen.ning.com/profile/TheLudingtonCitizen
<p>Those tidbits are interesting, thanks for your research into the matter, Aquaman.</p>
<p>Those tidbits are interesting, thanks for your research into the matter, Aquaman.</p> Update: after some phone call…tag:ludingtoncitizen.ning.com,2017-04-04:4689834:Comment:3431502017-04-04T20:50:50.389ZAQUAMANhttp://ludingtoncitizen.ning.com/profile/AQUAMAN
<p>Update: after some phone calls got this; Dr. Rick Plummer, Exec. Dir. for both White Pine and Maritime Museum. Called village and they refuse to give us his phone number, you leave your name and number, and he calls you back. M.C.Commissioners will have a mtg. at MC Courthouse on this matter on Tuesday, May 9th, at 9am, to determine whether the projects proposed will go to voters on the ballot. Figures for all this work are "Not Bids", they are pie in the sky estimates from the firm of…</p>
<p>Update: after some phone calls got this; Dr. Rick Plummer, Exec. Dir. for both White Pine and Maritime Museum. Called village and they refuse to give us his phone number, you leave your name and number, and he calls you back. M.C.Commissioners will have a mtg. at MC Courthouse on this matter on Tuesday, May 9th, at 9am, to determine whether the projects proposed will go to voters on the ballot. Figures for all this work are "Not Bids", they are pie in the sky estimates from the firm of Progressive A.E., (Architects and Engineers) of GR, 616-361-2664. This is the same firm the COL used for the West End Project drawings, where the architect would NOT divulge the plans to me about a year ago without the express written permission of John Shay III, city mgr., whom refused that request. I ask myself this: how does any historical society present a valid and accurate proposal to voters when the info. is kept secretive and no actual bids have been made for work? What's in this agenda? Who dreamed it all up? What was the cost to get that Architectural firm to dream and estimate all this so far in advance? Now I'm a bit concerned more so than previously. Anyone else?</p> shinblind, you say 8,615 atte…tag:ludingtoncitizen.ning.com,2017-04-04:4689834:Comment:3435632017-04-04T20:10:22.010ZAQUAMANhttp://ludingtoncitizen.ning.com/profile/AQUAMAN
<p>shinblind, you say 8,615 attendees not paying admission? How is that? Where is that info.? That in itself is about $100,000 in unpaid guests. And what about the contractors submitting bids? Thanks.</p>
<p>shinblind, you say 8,615 attendees not paying admission? How is that? Where is that info.? That in itself is about $100,000 in unpaid guests. And what about the contractors submitting bids? Thanks.</p>