Debbie
Davenport, Auditor General
Office of
the Auditor General
2910 North
44th Street, Suite 410
Phoenix,
Arizona, 86018
Reference your letter of Oct 27, 2014 to Doug Lindsay
concerning Arizona Historical Society
Dear Debbie Davenport,
The above referenced letter to Mr., Lindsay implies that is
acceptable for the Arizona Historical Society to place material and equipment
from the mineral museum on loan in other locations. If you read the entire half page content of
ARS 41-827 you will see that is not correct.
The Allen amendment to the 5C Arizona Centennial Museum
bill, established into law via ARS 41-827 and ARS 41-827.01, was very clearly
intended to preserve the operation of the mineral museum and its K-12 science
education programs.
Specifically, the AHS was required to:
1.
“operate and maintain the centennial museum that
houses the (existing) mining and mineral museum”
2.
“to maintain the mineral museum …
3.
To employ a qualified curator…
4.
To operate “educational programming” ….
5.
To maintain the items, artifacts and other
inventory … including equipment and
outdoor displays … and shall not
sell or otherwise dispose of materials” …
If you look at the equipment and outdoor displays still
standing at 1502 West Washington, you will see that the obvious intent of the
Allen amendment was to preserve the mineral museum and K-12 science education
programs that served 40,000 students per year on the existing site.
The AHS was well aware of the intent of the Allen amendment.
They were represented at two meetings where the amendment was drafted.
Furthermore, the legislature transferred the complete mineral museum budget to
the AHS. They continue to receive it at this time, even though they are not
operating the museum. However, they inexplicably defied every provision of the
amendment by closing the museum and then scattering its contents across the
state. They even sold some material on eBay.
When I had a law firm challenge the lawless AHS behavior,
the Arizona Attorney General responded on their behalf. The letter from the AG said the AHS would
comply with the statutes, but they did not.
Most inexplicably, your office ignored this lawless AHS
behavior during the AHS sunset review, even though your auditor was provided
with detailed information by multiple individuals. Now, when questioned, you
appear to claim that the AHS actions are acceptable (per above referenced
letter).
Although I cannot imagine why, it looks like your office is
protecting the AHS as they engage in their stature defying activities.
I respectfully request that you review this situation more
thoroughly. The AHS has seriously damaged K-12 science education, in knowing
defiance of Arizona law, for no apparent reason. They must be held accountable
for their irresponsible actions.
