Post by WAG on Dec 1, 2008 14:54:00 GMT -5
nvdaily.com/news/301968787060963.bsp
Monday, December 1, 2008
Chris Fordney: Museum to Cline at a loss
Another year is ticking away its last days, and that's another year without a Patsy Cline museum in Winchester.
Celebrating Patsy Cline, the nonprofit that was set up to open the museum about the country singer and city native and looked close to doing so two years ago, still has a blacked-out storefront along the Loudoun Street Pedestrian Mall with some handsome posters in the windows showing what the museum will look like.
A notice on the door states that people can still send money to CPC to help open the museum, and it looks like they could use it. CPC's latest financial filing with the Internal Revenue Service shows that it operated at a loss of $87,000 last year.
Either they have some unannounced benefactor waiting in the wings to drop the $1.7 million that one study said it would take to open the doors — and offer "exciting interactive exhibits, local and regional tours, new publications, innovative large-format films and music videos, plus star-quality live performances" — or this project is sputtering along on a shoestring without much chance that it's going to open its doors anytime soon.
And that means taxpayers are probably still a long way from seeing any kind of return on $110,000 the city of Winchester chipped in to help the museum get on its feet. Based on CPC's financial statements, that money has been swallowed up in rent for the unopened building and some consultants' fees. CPC also paid $32,000 to the estate of one of Cline's relatives, presumably for items owned by the late singer.
Karen Helm, CPC's treasurer, referred questions to its president, Judy Sue Huyett-Kempf, who said the tax money was properly spent, and that she had nothing new to say publicly about the museum project.
Criticism of CPC erupted across the blogosphere when its board abruptly sacked its well-regarded former president, Philip Martin, late in 2005. The reason for the dismissal has never been disclosed, but one former board member, Phil Hunter, said it was due to differing goals. While Martin sought to open a smaller-scale venue to test the market, the board wanted something more elaborate.
That led to a relationship with Ralph Appelbaum Associates of New York, a prominent museum designer.
Ray Frantz, another former board member, said he became concerned when he saw CPC signing up for additional financial commitments without additional sources of income. He said he is also concerned about the public money. "I would certainly like to know where my taxpayer money is going and what's happening to it."
The museum has also alienated some Patsy Cline fans by basically telling them their services would not be needed, Hunter said.
"To kick them in the butt was a bad idea," he said.
There are signs the project is still kicking, A spokesman for Ralph Appelbaum Associates said the firm has provided a proposal for the museum project and that it's now up to CPC to come up with the money. He declined to cite a figure.
Last year the museum took in a total of $32,400 from direct public support and spent $119,000, including $74,200 on a fundraising feasibility study, the latest statement shows.
Hopefully that money will show a return.
* Contact Chris Fordney at cfordney@nvdaily.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, December 1, 2008
Chris Fordney: Museum to Cline at a loss
Another year is ticking away its last days, and that's another year without a Patsy Cline museum in Winchester.
Celebrating Patsy Cline, the nonprofit that was set up to open the museum about the country singer and city native and looked close to doing so two years ago, still has a blacked-out storefront along the Loudoun Street Pedestrian Mall with some handsome posters in the windows showing what the museum will look like.
A notice on the door states that people can still send money to CPC to help open the museum, and it looks like they could use it. CPC's latest financial filing with the Internal Revenue Service shows that it operated at a loss of $87,000 last year.
Either they have some unannounced benefactor waiting in the wings to drop the $1.7 million that one study said it would take to open the doors — and offer "exciting interactive exhibits, local and regional tours, new publications, innovative large-format films and music videos, plus star-quality live performances" — or this project is sputtering along on a shoestring without much chance that it's going to open its doors anytime soon.
And that means taxpayers are probably still a long way from seeing any kind of return on $110,000 the city of Winchester chipped in to help the museum get on its feet. Based on CPC's financial statements, that money has been swallowed up in rent for the unopened building and some consultants' fees. CPC also paid $32,000 to the estate of one of Cline's relatives, presumably for items owned by the late singer.
Karen Helm, CPC's treasurer, referred questions to its president, Judy Sue Huyett-Kempf, who said the tax money was properly spent, and that she had nothing new to say publicly about the museum project.
Criticism of CPC erupted across the blogosphere when its board abruptly sacked its well-regarded former president, Philip Martin, late in 2005. The reason for the dismissal has never been disclosed, but one former board member, Phil Hunter, said it was due to differing goals. While Martin sought to open a smaller-scale venue to test the market, the board wanted something more elaborate.
That led to a relationship with Ralph Appelbaum Associates of New York, a prominent museum designer.
Ray Frantz, another former board member, said he became concerned when he saw CPC signing up for additional financial commitments without additional sources of income. He said he is also concerned about the public money. "I would certainly like to know where my taxpayer money is going and what's happening to it."
The museum has also alienated some Patsy Cline fans by basically telling them their services would not be needed, Hunter said.
"To kick them in the butt was a bad idea," he said.
There are signs the project is still kicking, A spokesman for Ralph Appelbaum Associates said the firm has provided a proposal for the museum project and that it's now up to CPC to come up with the money. He declined to cite a figure.
Last year the museum took in a total of $32,400 from direct public support and spent $119,000, including $74,200 on a fundraising feasibility study, the latest statement shows.
Hopefully that money will show a return.
* Contact Chris Fordney at cfordney@nvdaily.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------