When the seriously flawed 5C Arizona Centennial Museum plan
was unwrapped in early 2010, Governor Brewer was the spokesperson. Therefore,
some of the posts on this blog are very critical of the Governor. However, was
this foolish plan really the Governor’s idea? If it was, why was the AHS chosen to administer
it rather than the nearby Capitol Museum? The timeline of related events from
2009 through the present now make it appear unlikely that the Governor
initiated this mess.
In 2009, the AHS was being squeezed for cash. Their multiple
million dollar boondoggle at Rio Nuevo was abruptly cancelled. The state budget
developed during the state financial crisis prescribed a 20% per year cut in their
normal baseline state budget over a period of 5 years. They were to be weaned
of the tax dollar trough, and were expected to become self-supporting except
for their free use of government buildings.
They appealed directly to the Governor to restore their annual
budget. They also had access to the Governor due to their position on the
Arizona Centennial Commission. Soon, they and their favored Rio Nuevo
contractor were engaged in secret meetings at the Governor’s office planning
the centennial museum. Such planning went on for about six months before the
Governor announced the “birthday gift to Arizona” in early 2010. It included an inspection of the mineral
museum physical facilities without any regard for the children’s K-12 education
programs.
The AHS claimed the 5C Arizona Centennial Museum was a “mandate”
from the Governor. Perhaps it was in 2010, but, in 2009, where did the idea of
a centennial museum come from? Also, why was the mineral museum the only site
considered for it?
Did the AHS and their sole source, out of state, high dollar
contractor develop the centennial museum plan and pitch it to the Governor to
save their financial hides? The AHS had
motive, and they had opportunity. The case is circumstantial, but it is a
strong circumstantial case. Is the AHS guilty?
Why doesn't the Auditor General check into this? Was there a kickback to the Director of AHS for selecting the East Coast exhibit design team? The Governor may be shy about this but something should be done. At the least it's because Ann Woosley and her Board of Directors are totally inept in raising any funds. Time for a change.
ReplyDeleteThis blog has not been provided any evidence of under the table transactions. It is simply suggesting that State government is not acting responsibly with budget allocations
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