- as published in The Guardian, March 9, 2007
Freeman T. Whitty, Charlottetown
Editor:
I would like to add my comments to the current discussion about the proposed artifactory for Murray River.
There seems to be considerably negative positioning over this development — the latest voice against it from the Institute of Island Studies.
I truly do not understand the apparent discontent. It seems most of it stems from the fact that it is in Premier Binns’ riding. Premier Binns has been in his position for the past 10 years and I do not recall any previous large-scale development going to Murray River. Maybe the premier has been concerned about possible repercussions over perceived favouritism.
Is there not an expectation that any member of our legislature should be trying to do things that would benefit his or her constituency? Is there anything at all wrong with this? Should the premier be automatically excluded from such efforts just because he is premier? That would be unjust punishment to the people he represents and an unfair bias on the part of those who criticize him for this endeavour.
I understand items going in the artifactory would be there for storage, preservation, maintenance and distribution to our present decentralized museum system. This makes perfect sense to me.
Charlottetown is doing quite well in its development and diversification and in attracting business. A small community like Murray River should be given a piece of the economic pie and we should be happy about that.
Lastly, I would hope that jealousy is not a factor in this scenario because if it is, we all will be the worse for it. It would not be becoming to the values we proclaim as a sharing and caring community.
1 comment:
Freeman Whitty's comments regarding the removal of the Provincial Collection from a central collections facility (the Artifactory) to Murray River - do not recognize that the long term goal of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation which is to establish a Provincial Museum, according to statements published in Hansard -
The chair of the Museum and Heritage Foundation, Satadal Dasgupta said “The Board (of the Foundation) continues to discuss its hope of acquiring an appropriate home for the provincial collection and dreams of establishing a provincial museum where much of the Island history presently housed in our ‘artifactory’ could be presented and interpreted to the public”; . . .
The concern of separating the housing of the Provincial Collection from any planning of the Provincial Museum is that the operations of the overall organization will be further challenged - with a tiny professional staff even more fragmented. If there is to be sound planning for the Provincial Museum that the Board states as their goal - then this planning should be done in advance of the construction of a major collections management facility.
The Board is on record as saying “development of this [Provincial Collections] facility is beyond our control”. Despite the clear responsibilities granted by the Legislature, if this is the reality of the Board’s role, as handmaiden of the current government, we are in a sorry state. I believe the Board does have a role. These are public funds and any development that is so central to their future functioning, should not be “beyond their control.”
If this is a temporary measure to manage things for a few years -- then this could potentially leave those responsible for the Northumberland Community Development Corporation with an large empty building to try and find a new tenant for, if an integrated provincial museum & collections facility is located elsewhere.
The PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation owns its current Artifactory - which has had upgrades over the years and with a few repairs could continue as a temporary collections management facility. To have a $4-5 million dollar structure constructed with public funds by a community development corporation - to lease as a temporary facility, seems short-sighted.
Dr. David Keenleyside the new Executive Director of the Museum should be given a fair chance. He should be given the time and support to carry out consultations through a planning study that concludes with a long term plan for fulfilling the mandate of the Museum.
The Legislature granted a provincial museum mandate through the Museum Act, 25 years ago, yet that mandate has not been realized. For government to continue to starve the organization and offer "take it of leave it" solutions which grant no other option but to go along with plans of being an anchor tenant of a mini-mall in the premier's riding is quite unfair. Input in planning and due process in determining suitability for long term needs is essential.
We deserve better - we need a proper study and Dr. Keenleyside deserves the support of every Islander in being allowed to carry that out without one hand being held behind his back. A moratorium is the only reasonable option.
Ian Scott - Charlottetown
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