  Detroitman Member Username: Detroitman Post Number: 875 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 216.78.38.247 |
Detroit will lay off 400, shut history museum Move to save $40M means job cuts at zoo and in finance, recreation and elections departments. Lisa M. Collins and David Josar / The Detroit News http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20051214/M ETRO/512140394 | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 3571 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 207.74.110.28 |
PITIFUL!!! That's what you all get if vote for "BLACK CALIGULA"! Now our historical artifacts are going to be locked up waiting for some looter to pick it up. Those folks don't care. | ||
Nellonfury Member Username: Nellonfury Post Number: 51 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 68.43.156.135 |
I hope you KILPATRICK LOVERS are happy!!! | ||
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main Post Number: 484 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 198.109.44.2 |
Tsk, tsk, tsk, While I understand that cuts have to be made, shutting the doors to the Historical museum is a huge BLOW in this city. I still think letting go of 30 city lawyers, 30 city engineers and slashing the number of staff support on the council and the mayors office down 10 % would be just as cost effective as shutting down the museum. This will definitely hamper the mayors chances of being included in any historical exhibit | ||
Gwhobbies Member Username: Gwhobbies Post Number: 41 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 66.208.225.165 |
Uh, where do you think Hendrix would make cuts? Hmmm. I'm guessing from the above hyperbole-like statements, they would all be very popular cuts, indeed. Or would Hendrix being in office mean that suddenly, magically, no cuts would be necessary. The cuts suck. I like the museum. But to partisan(ize) it, is, well, just that. (Message edited by gwhobbies on December 14, 2005) | ||
Blaw82 Member Username: Blaw82 Post Number: 96 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 131.25.245.4 |
This sucks! The historical museum is a place that I have been going to since I was a kid. I know we need to fix the budget and we are in very bad shape economically though. Detroit is an economic black hole. | ||
Genesyxx Member Username: Genesyxx Post Number: 357 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 209.69.165.10 |
That's nothing. CC doesn't look to transfer off the Zoo anytime soon without definate figures so that will put a crink in the ops for at least a couple of months. Look for the big fire sale, coming in April. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 1473 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.84.183.189 |
Absolutely shameful. I've always thought of the Historical Museum as one of the premier places that all Detroiters should go see. The Aquarium first and now this? I'm wondering how much of an uproar this is going to be with the public. I still recall a woman and her family during Noel Night a few weeks back asking for directions to it and how happy she was to have walked the cobblestone streets in there. And now it's shuttered. Was there a timeline given as to when it'll be re-opened? Not only is Detroit an economic black hole at the moment, it's slowly becoming a cultural black hole- if it wasn't one already. Again, shameful! | ||
Merchantgander Member Username: Merchantgander Post Number: 1388 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 150.198.150.245 |
Relax everyone the Historical Museum will not be closing it will be transferred to the Detroit Historical Society. The Society has plenty of pull and raising $450,000 won't be that hard for them. | ||
Iseries840 Member Username: Iseries840 Post Number: 128 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 12.31.43.97 |
http://www.detroithistorical.o rg/sponsors/index.asp | ||
Machoken Member Username: Machoken Post Number: 1096 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 65.86.12.2 |
v.
So, which is it, the City is shutting it or the Society has been asked to assume greater responsibility? Can't be both ways. | ||
Boss_hogg Member Username: Boss_hogg Post Number: 23 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 66.178.225.98 |
unbelievable. the city is in a total financial nightmare, there is a mysterious additional $13 million coming in from personal property taxes, not to mention all of the implications a budget crisis brings & you all are worried about the historical museum? | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 577 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 208.39.170.77 |
Yeah, I'd say the 400 folks without a job for the new year as well as the closing of the recreation centers that do actually serve the youth and elderly of the city is a little more important --as much as I also love the Historical Museum, let's put this in perspective... | ||
1953 Member Username: 1953 Post Number: 631 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 209.104.146.146 |
An historical museum is among the most basic municipal services offered in even the smallest communities. If Detroit can't manage to provide that, its no wonder that folks are still fleeing to the suburbs. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 6205 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.251.24 |
Damn there are some knee jerk reactions. First, I believe that it will be shifted to a non-Detroit entity (just like they are considering with the Zoo and Eastern Market). Second, the city is broke. The first step is to right the finances. Once that is done then missing non essential services can be restored as the money is available. This is like people bitching that they are broke and can't afford $8 coffees and ignoring the fact that their heat is being turned off. I am glad that KK is finally (4 years too late) willing to address the budget issue. When a city is broke all cuts hurt but let's be realistic. Even if the DHM were closed would it have that big of a bearing on QOL? Damned if you do, damned if you don't. If people are that up in arms about this then it will eb a rough year or two. | ||
Royaloakian Member Username: Royaloakian Post Number: 55 Registered: 05-2004 Posted From: 65.42.23.2 |
from the freep this am In its plan, the city says it would save $475,000 by shutting down the Detroit Historical Museum, but officials say they are working on a deal to transfer the museum to the Detroit Historical Society. Bob Bury, executive director and chief executive officer of the society, which raises funds for the Detroit Historical Museum, Dossin Great Lakes Museum and Historic Ft. Wayne, said the museum will not close. He said the deadline to transfer the museum operations is Jan. 31 | ||
Observant2art Member Username: Observant2art Post Number: 123 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 209.104.139.161 |
When the super bowl arrives, for those visitors that want to take a tour of the city, will be disappointed. Some like museums, some like the zoo, some like parks, all of those are HISTORY here in Detroit. All we have to look forward to is the All-star games, Super Bowl, the Pistons and the Red Wings, thats all sports!!! We/Detroit are worth more than just sports!!! | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 580 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 208.39.170.77 |
Yeah, and I'm sure the folks who are losing their jobs really care about the folks from the Super Bowl right now... | ||
Mrjoshua Member Username: Mrjoshua Post Number: 592 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 69.209.130.99 |
"Kilpatrick warned that some major budget-cutting initiatives are unfulfilled. Those include approximately $42 million in union health care concessions, and another $34 million from days off without pay, neither of which have been approved by union leadership." And people wonder why the CoD is broke. | ||
Merchantgander Member Username: Merchantgander Post Number: 1390 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 150.198.150.245 |
I agree Susanrosa they don't care, but the city needs to right size itself and layoff city workers. I really don't think the museum will be closed. Detroit needs attractions to bring people downtown and spend a little money. Unfortunately no one wants to come downtown just to watch some lazy ass city worker get paid to sit on there ass and ignore the needs of its citizens. Let the layoffs and privatization start. | ||
Observant2art Member Username: Observant2art Post Number: 125 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 209.104.139.161 |
Its sad knowing that the city is going down instead of going down instead of going up, the only things going up are small parks for children, thats GREAT to do those things and I love to see children happy, I would love to see the majority of the city happy as well. I have never been a Kilpatrick supporter, it seems as if I have always been a supporter of the other CROOKS! Gil Hill, Hendrix, either way it goes we still lost with the Kilpatrick Crook! | ||
Huggybear Member Username: Huggybear Post Number: 98 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 192.217.12.254 |
A historical museum is the veritable office Christmas party. You cancel the cffice Christmas party and you send the message that your company is failing. That is the last thing to be cut. Even if the company isn't really doing well. Even if people don't like the party. Calling a cultural attraction a nonessential service and cutting it can also be compared to eating one of your hands when you are starving. Why would people come if there is no culture? If push comes to shove and you can't find a foundation to take over, fund things like the DHM by sneaking money out of other places in the city budget. For example, skip one trash collection a year. Calling the skipped week "conservation week" and encourage people not to create as much waste during that 2 week period. (Message edited by Huggybear on December 14, 2005) | ||
Observant2art Member Username: Observant2art Post Number: 128 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 209.104.139.161 |
That's Impossible, lol! | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 6207 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.251.24 |
No shit, people are up in arms about not having monthly bulk pick up. I would happily go with every other week pick up but many in this city expect every service known toman and a balanced budget. Ain't gonna happen folks. | ||
Observant2art Member Username: Observant2art Post Number: 129 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 209.104.139.161 |
Thanks, Kilpatrick! You are doing a FINE JOB! hehehehe! | ||
Huggybear Member Username: Huggybear Post Number: 99 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 192.217.12.254 |
Then make them stew in their own rancid garbage for that week. And now, only partly kidding - Detroit is into socialism, so let's take on more aspects of a command economy. The Commissar could say, "Sorry comrades, no garbage pickup. All of state's resources consumed for glorious new tractor factory, er... museum." | ||
Fnemecek Member Username: Fnemecek Post Number: 1370 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 69.215.17.17 |
The article references saving $40MM with the cuts. However, if memory serves me correctly, wasn't the City's deficit closer to 140MM? Where are the rest of the cuts? | ||
Observant2art Member Username: Observant2art Post Number: 130 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 209.104.139.161 |
The mayor doesnt have to worry about his garbage piling up, he's sooooooooooooooo lucky! | ||
Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie Post Number: 370 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 35.12.21.173 |
The main thing is to ensure that the collection is kept secured until another party can re-open it, if the deal with the Historical Society doesn't work out. But considering it's Detroit, I wouldn't put much faith into the concept of the city carefully mothballing the museum. | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 1066 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 141.213.173.94 |
Wow closing the DHM will only save $475k??? That's a drop in the bucket. Closing a quality cultural institution for that sort of savings ain't worth it. Nice judgement, KK. I think we'll be suprised though, and some private funding will come in. Other than that the cuts are appropriate IMO, and it would help if we got "approximately $42 million in union health care concessions." Now just lower taxes (or at least don't let any go up) and widen the base, KK, and the storm will blow over. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 6208 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.251.24 |
There are not a ton of $10MM fixes. Savings have to be nickel and dimed to add up. Honest question and this is coming from someone who loves the DHM: What percentage of Detroiters do you really think will be bothered/affected by this closing, if it isn't picked up by a non-profit? While $475K is not a whole lot can it is savings all the same. | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 581 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 208.39.170.77 |
Merchantgander, I also agree that the cuts needed to be done. My problem is with the hysteria surrounding the Historical Museum in contrast to the news about people getting laid off. Maybe it's because no one is surprised by layoffs anymore... | ||
Chris_rohn Member Username: Chris_rohn Post Number: 151 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 71.144.84.66 |
People will find other jobs, but we won't find another Historical Museum. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 6209 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.251.24 |
The DHM will not implode once funding is cut. Closing does not automatically equate to closed down for good. I looked up, the sky is not falling. Now to be a bit of an ass: The people that are really up in arms about it, do you live in the city, do you donate to the DHM, when was the last time you went. | ||
Royaloakian Member Username: Royaloakian Post Number: 56 Registered: 05-2004 Posted From: 65.42.23.2 |
I don't live in the city but I am a member DHM and a supporter and go often. But how about our local press? One starts the hysteria saying it is closing, the other presents a wider view. | ||
Treez4brkfst Member Username: Treez4brkfst Post Number: 82 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 68.21.61.1 |
Does the DHM have an entrance fee? If so, then the lack of income would lead to the conclusion that people aren't interested (see B.I. Aquarium) or maybe they should start charging to generate income. Just a thought. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 6211 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.251.24 |
I think my disgust for the local press is well documented. Ignorance, incompetence, intentionally misleading, whatever the case may be. I appreciate the fact that you are willing to support Detroit (regional) insititutions like the DHM. | ||
Southwestmap Member Username: Southwestmap Post Number: 321 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 64.79.90.206 |
I live in the City and haven't been to the Historical Museum in years - but I have been many times in the past. Its not me that we should be worrying about - its the people who come after me that won't have the opportunity and won't know why the world thinks as it does about Detroit. I guess we'll always have the Motown Museum. Or will we - how much moral and friendly support does Motown receive from the Historical Museum. And, imo, Motown standing alone and out of context is just as passe as having the Judy Garland Museum. | ||
Grantsmom Member Username: Grantsmom Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 141.217.119.234 |
Don't worry. The newspaper reports were not accurate. The museum is not closing and will, in fact, have extended hours over the holidays. The city is transfering management of the museums to the Detroit Historical Society while it retains ownership of the property and artifacts. The agreement is very similar to those under which the Detroit Zoo and DIA have been operating for years. Not to worry. | ||
Hamtramike Member Username: Hamtramike Post Number: 444 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 4.229.90.193 |
CORE FUNCTIONS. POLICE. FIRE. DPW (keeping the city clean) The museum is great and i'll be sure to call them the next time there is a fire or the next time we are held up. Newsflash, the city is failing and should only focus on core functions first, everything else second. I'm not against tax dollars going to fund museums and anything else that might increase my qol, but the core functions need to be funded first. PLenty more cuts to be made that will surely be upsetting to someone. | ||
Royaloakian Member Username: Royaloakian Post Number: 57 Registered: 05-2004 Posted From: 65.42.23.2 |
At the opening weekend of the current Mary Wilson exhibit at the DHM visitors received a card good for discounted admission at both the DHM and the Motown Museum good until until the new year. I would imagine, though I don't know that it was an action by both places and I thought pretty neat that the DHM encouraged visitors to the MM as well. I did use my card. Also the DHM does charge admission. The DHM has a great variety of programs that are very diverse. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1617 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.81.125 |
Maybe it is time for the city to start looking at selling the Water Dept. If they get a few billion, then that money can sure help the cause. One of these days some judge is gonna OK a takeover, and then it'll be too late. | ||
Kbkav Member Username: Kbkav Post Number: 217 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.220.62.144 |
An Urgent Message from the Executive Director … To our loyal friends and supporters: A number of news reports have circulated that the Detroit Historical Museums would be closing as the result of further budget cuts by the City of Detroit. I want to reassure you that the Museums will remain open throughout the holiday season and into 2006. The Detroit Historical Society is finalizing an agreement with the City of Detroit to assume operational responsibilities for both the Detroit Historical Museum and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. We have received assurances from the Mayor’s Office that the museums will not close. We anticipate that the agreement will be finalized by January 31, 2006. At that time, full operational responsibility for the Museums will transfer to the Society. In short, the Detroit Historical Museum and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum will remain open to the public, and we will continue to produce the quality exhibits and programs that you’ve come to expect as a member, donor or friend of the Society. We anticipate that there will be several more announcements about the Museums and Society in the near future. I encourage you to check our website, www.detroithistorical.org, for the latest information. You may also contact me directly at 313-833-5767 if you have other detailed questions. I thank you in advance for your continued support during this transition. I look forward to working with many of you as we look toward an exceptional 2006. Sincerely, Robert A. Bury Executive Director and CEO |
