June 2005 Bay View Compass Editorial

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MARINA DIMITRIJEVIC
4th District 278-4232
Email Supervisor Dimitrijevic

June 2005 Bay View Compass Editorial


Dear Bay View Compass Readers,

This past month Milwaukee County residents received the unfortunate news about the financial crisis at our Milwaukee Public Museum. It's sad that in this public-private partnership, the public was the last to find out that this cultural and educational gem had been so poorly managed. The private, non-profit management team we hired to protect this public asset has done just this opposite and placed the future of the museum in great jeopardy. Milwaukee County currently owns the land, the building and the artifacts inside of the museum. Partnership seems to be an understatement here, however past County Board leaders made the decision quite some time ago to partially privatize the museum in an effort to save money. Sadly, the end result is very little public oversight over this very publicly-supported institution.

Just a few months ago the County Board adopted legislation to enter into a new 20-year lease agreement with the Milwaukee Public Museum. We thought this negotiating had been in good faith, though it is apparent now that we were misled. At the May County Board Meeting the Board agreed unanimously to rescind that agreement and start from scratch after our internal audit is finished. This audit will give the public insight and answers to the questions such as where the $4 million deficit came from and what are the steps necessary to keep the museum operating? In the meantime, I have received a number of phone calls and emails asking what the county can do to prevent staff lay-offs and protect the preservation of the artifacts. The unfortunate news is that in this public-private partnership the Museum's Board of Directors and its President can make those decisions on their own, the very people who got us into this mess.

I will keep you informed as the audit progresses and Milwaukee County begins re-negotiating a new lease with the Milwaukee Public Museum. Keeping the museum open to the public and adequately staffed is a priority of mine. As always, feel free to contact my office with any questions or comments you may have at 278-4232.

Your Milwaukee County Supervisor,

Marina Dimitrijevic

MILWAUKEE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Courthouse Room 201, 901 North 9th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233
PHONE: 414-278-4232            FAX: 414-223-1380

Page last updated 07-19-05

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