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Governor “suspends” funding for Statehouse rehab

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Illinois

* AP…

Gov. Pat Quinn has suspended funding for future renovations at the Capitol, a pricey project that’s already caused embarrassment for financially-shaky Illinois and raised questions about how it was allowed.

The Chicago Democrat told reporters Tuesday that he’s instructed his budget director to hold up appropriations for renovations that are yet to be done.

The state has already spent much of the appropriated $50 million for the west wing. That restoration of the Capitol has already drawn criticism along with finger-pointing. Sparking the outrage has been copper-plated wooden doors costing nearly $670,000 and more than $323,000 for chandeliers.

Quinn blamed Capitol architect J. Richard Alsop III and says he needs to be “reigned in” by the commission he reports to.

* Sun-Times…

While Quinn’s Capital Development Board released funds for the nearly finished phase of Capitol construction, the governor said the state is on the hook for paying for work already completed since construction contracts have already been signed.

“If there are contractors who’d already completed work, we’d have legal obligations to pay those vouchers, or we’d wind up in the Court of Claims. But anything further or additional or what they’re planning for the next wing, I think, should be totally held up until we get this architect under control,” the governor said.

Controversy over the renovation work bubbled up in August when the Sun-Times detailed the project in a front page story and intensified earlier this month when Alsop confirmed that historically-accurate copper-clad doors for three entrances in the Capitol’s west wing cost more than $669,000 — the same price as a luxury executive home in the northwest suburbs.

On Sunday, the Chicago Sun-Times followed up with a report on a pair of maiden sculptures that each cost more than $78,000 and four 300-pound chandeliers hung in one senator’s office that cost another $323,000.

* Tribune…

Quinn’s move is largely symbolic. Most of the $50 million earmarked for rehabilitation work on the west wing of the Statehouse, including sets of copper-plated doors costing nearly $700,000, already has been spent. The governor’s action could prevent shifting other money for planned work on other sections of the building. […]

Quinn maintained that his office does not have the ability to approve or block particular “ingredients” of the renovation. Those decisions, he said, are made by a panel that oversees the Capitol architect, a group appointed by the four Democratic and Republican legislative leaders. Quinn said the group needs to rein in the architect, J. Richard Alsop III. […]

There’s no money set aside for overhauling the Capitol’s north and east wings, but Quinn fears a pot of $250 million involving the Statehouse grounds could be shifted by a panel of lawmakers to finish the project.

So, by reading most of the coverage you’d think all spending was halted. But from the Tribune story, maybe not.

* Quinn made his symbolic move in anticipation of an attack from Bill Daley…

Daley said Quinn should have prevented the expenditure of nearly $670,000 for three sets of copper-plated double doors, $160,000 for sculptures replicating statues that were never in the original capitol building, and $323,000 for four chandeliers.

He said those costs are significant, even if a tiny fraction of the overall cost.

“Some people may scoff at it and say, ‘Well, $700,000 out of $50 million, or whatever the renovation is, big deal.’ You know, the average person says that is a big deal,” Daley said. “And until we’re sensitive to them, we’re just going to roll over and say, ‘Well, what the heck, it’s going to last 100 years these doors, and they’re beautiful, and they’re copper, and how could you be against them?’ That’s crazy.”

Daley said people are just numb to continuing expenditures by government officials spending other people’s money.

Voters can get their minds around $700,000 doors pretty easily, so this was an easy shot by Daley. But Quinn really couldn’t have stopped those doors from being installed.

* Republican Sen. Kirk Dillard, also a gubernatorial candidate, jumped into the fray…

Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Kirk Dillard and his running mate State Representative Jil Tracy announced Tuesday they will introduce joint resolutions calling on the Illinois Auditor General to investigate expenditures of the Illinois State Capitol West Wing renovations and whether the expenditures were appropriate. This comes after news reports, including one on WMBD TV and Fox 43 that about $700,000 was spent on three pairs of new doors. Tracy says taxpayers need to know their tax dollars are spent wisely.

* Ironically, Dillard was recently endorsed by former Gov. Jim Thompson, who made it obvious that he doesn’t think much of the political fallout…

“Where were they supposed to buy the doors, and maidens and chandeliers?” he asked. “Walmart, Lowe’s?”

“The Capitol,” he said, “is the most significant building in the state of Illinois. . . . All they’re doing with the doors and the maidens is putting the Capitol back to what it was when it was constructed. . . . These items are part of a $50 million capital expenditure…as part of a health and safety renovation. . . . These are capital funds, not operating funds. They can’t be used for services, for example, for senior citizens or developmentally disabled young people.”

Thompson characterized the six-figure price tags as “not only historically correct,” but also, in the long run, a “bargain,” because “the chandeliers and the maidens and the doors will last over one hundred years.” He added, hyperbolically, “In every other state in the union, [public officials] go to great lengths to retain authenticity.”

I asked him if he was surprised that politicians, including Gov. Pat Quinn and the republican candidate striving to take Quinn’s job, State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, are publicly denouncing the expenditures. “No it’s typical,” he said in a weary tone. “The press writes these stories front page, . . . politicians react. I’ve seen it all before.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 9:26 am

Comments

So a reporter gets lucky and finds one instance of waste yet thousands and thousands of other examples lie unearthed. If anybody ever figures out a way to unearth them then the fundamental spending practices of the huge state bureaucracy will be changed to the better forever. Until then, enjoy the sideshow.

Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 9:34 am
When building or remodeling a Capital most states try to put their best foot forward. Remember were looking at a hundred year investment.

No one seems to worry about a 5 Million dollar a day pension. By that standard the doors are a deal.

Comment by Mokenavince Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 9:34 am
Typical Dillard — trying to have it both ways.

Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 9:38 am
“Quinn … says he needs to be “reigned in””

I sure hope that he said “reined in”; the alternatives are too horrible to contemplate.

Comment by Chris Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 9:38 am
Everybody’s jumping out the Outrage Bandwagon. I’m outraged that I’m not outraged.

The Capitol IS a 19th Century palace. Unless you’re going to sell it for scrap, you have to maintain it properly.

I don’t recall any officeholder saying “boo” about Ty, the Civvies and the rating agencies.

Perhaps someone can rein in the state’s bond counsel and keep him from undermining his client’s financial interests.

He costs a lot more than some doors.

Good on Big Jim for being the voice of reason.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 9:39 am
Also, in PQ’s response to Daley’s dig, could he have said “bank” more frequently without slipping into self-parody?

Further, how does PQ plan to run the state without those [expletive] ‘banks’? Is he calling on the pension funds to divest all holdings in ‘banks’? Etc etc.

Comment by Chris Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 9:41 am
As a comparison, the $700K for the copper-plated doors at the capital building would have covered the cost of 2 years of operations at the now set to close State Police Crime Lab in Carbondale. So where are the priorities going?

Comment by rusty618 Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 9:42 am
So what’s next? Send the Illinois Capitol Architect to Madison in exchange for the Wisconsin Capitol Architech “Trading Spaces” style? Give & $1000 bucks and use their creativity to come up with something on the cheap?

This is a big non-story in my eyes. Just low hanging fruit for the media & candidates.

Comment by Stones Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 9:44 am
After reading about how the NSA modeled a war-room after the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, I’m not as worried about the cost of our doors.

http://www.neowin.net/news/report-reveals-nsa-director-keith-alexander-replicated-a-war-room-after-star-treks-starship-enterprise

Comment by Name Withheld Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 9:45 am
Too bad Big Jim didn’t express such strong opinions about the architecture and materials used re the homage to him on W. Randolph Street. It looks like a Kenner Erector Set.

Comment by GA Watcher Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 9:57 am
Daley’s now the guy who cares about big money items?

Comment by walkinfool Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 9:58 am
For a man who is supposed to be a formidable campaigner, this move by Quinn is baffling. He basically is signalling that Daley is more on top of stuff in Springfield and Quinn’s tail is being wagged by Daley.

I gotta go into the door business. Apparently, more lucrative that plastics.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 9:58 am
Legislators, doors, superintendents.
Ain’t no matter to me what I defund. Let them come.

Comment by Timmeh Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:05 am
I understand taxpayers don’t like spending money for “palaces for staff” and similar projects, but Big Jim is absolutely correct. Futher, anyone beed inside the Thompson Center lately? What a s—hole they’ve let that place become. The carpet is threadbare and dirty, the furniture broken, the walls filled with cracks and holes. It sends the wrong message to anyone who visits and does not inspire much confidence in government.

And now Quinn has boxed himself in on any thought of a desperately needed remodeling project there. Nice going!

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:11 am
Sorry, that was me at 10:11.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:11 am
Nice going Pat, shut the barn after the horses get out!

Does anybody remember the cost of replacing the seating for the legislative chambers, and who got to buy the old chairs?

Comment by BMAN Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:12 am
Timmeh,

Now I only wonder who Quinn will seek to defund next–state employees (other than those who lost their raises), especially if We Are One and the union leadership actively opposes any reforms coming out of the pension committee.

Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:16 am
So - PQ, you really do believe in paying what is legally (& morally) owed? Good to know.

Comment by sk hicks Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:16 am
No surprise that Big Jim would defend the project. His tastes run expensive, particularly when it’s taxpayers money. The Willard Ice Building (disaster) was his baby, along with many other outrageous purchases at taxpayer expense (vases at the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Springfield, among others). His passion is antiquing. Better if it was safeguarding our money.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:31 am
–As a comparison, the $700K for the copper-plated doors at the capital building would have covered the cost of 2 years of operations at the now set to close State Police Crime Lab in Carbondale. So where are the priorities going?–

Do you suggest floating 30-year bonds to fund two years of operations?

Otherwise, there is no comparison. It would be like taking out a home equity loan to buy groceries.

One is GRF, one is capital.

It’s a sweet issue for media and politicians running for office, but it will run out of gas when the next kitty comes along.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:41 am
All of Quinn’s efforts are “mostly symbolic”

Comment by blogman Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 11:41 am
To wordslinger, “One is GRF, one is capital.”

That’s the type of thinking that got this State billions in debt. A taxpayer dollar spent is still a dollar whether GRF or Capital, in fact capital expenses are greater as they always come with interest attached.

Comment by downstate hack Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 12:05 pm
Reporters sensationalize, politicians demagogue, and voters play along by getting fired up by easy-to-understand but not terribly important manufactured controversies.

Comment by Joe Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 12:09 pm
God knows that the pols truly just want to maintain the authenticity of the capitol, and maintaining that authenticity does cost money. To bad those same pols do such a poor job of maintaining their own authenticity, and not maintaining that will cost us much more money over the estimated useful life of the doors.

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 12:17 pm
–That’s the type of thinking that got this State billions in debt.–

What is that sentence supposed to communicate?

Which states do not use long-term bonded debt for capital projects?

Did you pay cash for your house? Good for you.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 12:19 pm
–A taxpayer dollar spent is still a dollar whether GRF or Capital, in fact capital expenses are greater as they always come with interest attached.–

That’s why you fund operations through GRF and infrastructure through capital spending. It’s not a new concept, and the dollars are quite different.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 12:28 pm
I think really what this was about all along, was ginning-up classic envy and anger to play to the Tea Partiers, as a fund-raising tool. Get ‘em good and riled on a populist issue (misguided and ill-infomed as this one is), and convert that to campaign donations to “send me there to send “them” a message.”

Comment by Newsclown Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 12:29 pm
BTW, When is Quinn scheduled to cut the ribbon on the improved wing, and take all the credit for passing a capital bill yet again?

Comment by Newsclown Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 12:30 pm
The Gov is always a day late and a dollar short!! He always passes the blame on to someone else!! Let’s face the fact that if this story had not surfaced, the spending would have continued as usually!!

Comment by Union Man Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 12:34 pm
I know there’s a difference between capital and operational budgets and I still think expenditures on this order for accoutrements such as these are outlandish.

The State Health Department has been begging for capital dollars to build a state lab in the Chicago region to replace the dilapidated space they have now. Expenditures for things like that I understand. Buying opulent chandeliers and doors and maiden sculptures before we take care of public safety…to me that reflects some misplaced priorities.

Comment by Budget Watcher Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 12:48 pm
You folks who are quick to malign Thompson’s position and criticize places like the Willard Ice apparently don’t realize you are proving his point.
Forget the maidens. The Capitol work is being done with an extremely long life expectancy for all the components, including the doors. That contributes to the price tag, along with the historical aspects.
The Ice and JRTC were, well, not built like the Capitol to be polite. They both used “cutting edge” ideas that have not stood the test of time. The JRTC budget also suffered from cost overruns that led to cheaper interior finishes, carpet, and furniture than originally planned.
Subsequent cuts to repair & maintenance in the (guess who) Blaquinn budgets have left the place looking pretty sad.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 12:48 pm
Oh-one more thing. I can’t imagine a crime lab with a budget of $350k per year being very effective. That number must be wrong.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 12:51 pm
I must agree with Budget Watcher. Who approved the CDBs
budget for renovations? As I said before, some of the work could have been paid for by grants and private donations.

Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 1:36 pm
Symbols matter.

The gilded doors, fine chandeliers and ornate “maidens” of our fair “palace” have become a symbol.

A symbol for the callous, tone-deaf nature of disconnect taking place in Springfield.

We’re cutting sensitive programs that impact the nature of everyday life for thousands of people. We’re actively attempting to break our word to retirees after decades of service to the state. We’re facing the expiration of a “temporary” tax hike soon and the possibility of more cuts.

So that is perfect timing to… bronze our doorways? Add “maidens” to our stairwells?

Anyone with an iota of sense should have seen this coming from a mile away.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 2:20 pm
Arthur Anderson - not only is the JRTC a heating/air conditioning etc mess - it is filthy - the carpet is in tatters (from 1984) - under Edgar they stopped most of the cleaning -

Comment by Marie Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 2:22 pm
The Capitol IS a 19th Century palace.

So that’s why the pols act like royalty…..

The renovation is a fluff project to make an entry in an architect’s annual report. Substantial savings could have been made with a little supervision.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 2:26 pm
=== These are capital funds, not operating funds. They can’t be used for services, for example, for senior citizens or developmentally disabled young people.” ===

This argument is, and always has been, rage-inducing.

The payment for this spending, and these bonds, all comes from one, single source: the citizens of Illinois.

This is like saying: “I can’t afford groceries because my checking account is dry.

But I’m buying a new car tomorrow with the money in my savings account.

They are separate accounts, and I can’t possibly shift my budgeting priorities.

Best of all, this new car is a good investment in my future transportation and infrastructure.

Going through some tough times at the moment. Can’t afford food or going to see the doctor with the money in my checking account. But at least I’ll have my new car with the money in my savings account.”

Bizarre and callous rationalization.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 2:31 pm
Marie-that’s my point, more or less. That carpet, to save money, had about a 15 year life instead of the minimum 30-40 year life institutional grade carpet should have. Now, 28 years later, it’s beyond shot.
Broke or not, that building is the State’s presence in Chicago. It’s a disgrace that it’s been allowed to become downright dirty.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 2:33 pm
–The renovation is a fluff project to make an entry in an architect’s annual report. Substantial savings could have been made with a little supervision.–

Sure, put it on the architect. It’s not like the governor and both parties in both chambers in the GA didn’t sign off on it.

Until they didn’t.

People voted for those guys, by the way.

I was raised to leave things better than you found them. That’s how I go about my business.

You can make a reasonable argument that you don’t need a 19th Century palace to conduct state government. But if you want to keep it, you bite the bullet and take care of it.

If you want to put up a pole barn and have it outfitted by Ikea, have at it.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 3:01 pm
I want to preface my comments by agreeing that our Capitol is our equivalent of a 19th century palace and needs to be maintained appropriately with quality materials. I also don’t quibble with trying to generally keep the look of the building when it was constructed. There have been and will continue to be numerous changes to ensure the building is functional as a modern seat of government.

I do believe that several elements of the recent renovation are excessive. The maidens, doors and chandeliers are easy examples. The maidens are not a restoration of a feature that once adorned our capitol building. They were in the plans, but the plans were changed. Iowa’s plans included maidens and they got them. I would argue that we should have left them out of this renovation to be true to the originality of our building.

As I understand it, the chandeliers are placed in private office space - yes I know its all a public building, but most folks don’t go roaming around private office areas. I can’t help but believe that quality chandeliers for those offices could have been purchased for a lower cost. I would feel different if these were for a public area.

And those 100 year doors (I don’t believe that they’ll last that long, I’ve seen too many repeat modifications to the Capitol building to believe that will be the case), I think cheaper doors could have been selected. We’ve seen quality doors installed before at a cheaper cost. The other issue is that to be true to the go back to the beginning look of the building, the remaining doors will need to be changed as well at a significant cost.

As has been pointed out, the capital money spent on these extravagant changes could have been used for other important projects such as the lab referenced by Budget.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 3:03 pm
I find it somewhat humorous that NOWHERE amongst all of this “chin music” that absolutely no one has has mentioned what we are paying this thief of an architect. Add that to the bloated numbers that would feed a lot of poor folks and I think it would astound. He has probably been paid more that the “trinketry” has and will cost the taxpayers.

Comment by Old Timer Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 3:04 pm
Word, valid point. I’ve heard through the grapevine that the architect feels like he’s been thrown under the bus. He does report to the legislature. Of course, as state employees working in management positions or direct report positions for elected officials know so well, they are expected to be thrown under the bus for the sake of their masters.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 3:11 pm
If you own a historic home, you know it takes a lot to maintain and repair it; most everything is custom work. That’s just the price you pay.

Yes, the timing was poor, politically speaking, but I’m not seeing the scandal.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 3:39 pm
On the restoration of the capitol: “” the governor said the state is on the hook for paying for work already completed since construction contracts have already been signed.”"

Say what?? I thought the current principle of responsible government was to first say the contracted costs for work completed are unsustainable, they are taking funds away from education, then blame the highly compensated union workers, and unilaterally reduce the amount that was agreed upon before work started.

Or does that principle of contracts only apply to retired teachers pensions?

Comment by cod Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 3:48 pm
Big Jim calls the Capitol “the most significant building in the state of Illinois.” If he’s correct, then renovating it should be a priority. If he’s wrong, please explain.

Comment by cicero Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 3:58 pm
Big Jim is absolutely correct and kudos to the statement made earlier by Patty Schuh. The State Capitol is a historically significant building that represents the seat of government and is a major tourist attraction. You can look at the Governor’s Mansion and see what happens when it is not maintained.

We lack leaders and visionaries.

Comment by 4 percent Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 4:06 pm
–You can look at the Governor’s Mansion and see what happens when it is not maintained.–

That’s a great point, and all the Terminally Outraged out there, if they’re sincere, are obligated to focus on that issue right now before it gets worse.

I haven’t seen a report in a while, but if I remember correctly from a couple of years back the deferred maintenance is off the charts, and many areas are not safe.

What to do you want to do? Do you want to pay to keep it up to standards, or do you want to cut bait?

I’m sure Quinn, Daley, Dillard, and all the other Terminally Outraged will weigh in any moment now.

It’s pathetic — everyone could see the work that’s been going on at the Capitol for years and nobody made a peep. Now they’re outraged.

The Mansion is a chance to take those deep principles and put them into action, now.

Anyone want to step up?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 4:40 pm
I’d especially like to hear Mr. Traditional Family in the Governor’s Mansion weigh in the mansion situation.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 4:42 pm
In some ways, there is a middle ground here.

Should we preserve our historical treasures and the front door of our state? Yes.

Should we have better priorities in terms of timing and specific spending projects? Yes.

Instead of bronzing our doors, buying ornate chandeliers for private office spaces and adding “maidens” to our stairwells?

Perhaps we should have repaired the floorboards, patched the walls and fixed any number of things that have been neglected for decades in the Governor’s mansion. Or any number of other things.

At least until our economy and fiscal situation improves.

And certainly not while those working in the “palace” are having their subjects endure so much in the way of painful, literally life-altering budget cuts.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 4:57 pm
===the deferred maintenance is off the charts, and many areas are not safe===

If you open a door in the mansion ballroom and walk outside onto the balcony to have a quick smoke before giving a speech, a silent alarm will be triggered and several State Police troopers will scurry to your location to yell at you to get off the darned balcony before it collapses and you die.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 5:07 pm
I think really what this was about all along, was ginning-up classic envy and anger to play to the Tea Partiers, as a fund-raising tool. Get ‘em good and riled on a populist issue (misguided and ill-infomed as this one is), and convert that to campaign donations to “send me there to send “them” a message”.

BTW, When is Quinn scheduled to cut the ribbon on the improved wing, and take all the credit for passing a capital bill yet again?

Comment by Newsclown Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 5:33 pm
This is point, as I have in the past, where I propose demolishing the mansion and building an Illinois Bicentennial Park. 2018 is just around the corner and time’s-a-wasting.

It would be a shame if we didn’t get it right on our watch.

The response to my proposal over the years has been overwhelming….. indifference. If I’ve read one blogger agree with me, I’ve read….well, I never have had a blogger respond, lol.

But, once again, I’d encourage people to give it a think.

The mansion is an anachronism. It’s a sore point. It’s underused, if used at all. It’s expensive. It’s dangerous. It would cost a fortune to set right.

I understand it holds some meaning for those in Springfield and Downstate concerned about the Chicago influence on state government, but the mansion is a false anchor. It really has no meaning or purpose.

An Illinois Bicentennial Park, on the other hand, would be used and enjoyed by all Illinoisans forever. There would only be one and it would be in the state capital at a very sweet location, a valuable addition to Springfield’s wealth of historic sites.

The model I have in mind is Nashville. just down the hill from the Capitol. It’s awesome. They did a bang-up job weaving every aspect of the state’s history, culture, geography and people into a beautiful urban park.

I’d encourage everyone who gets down to Nashville to check it out. It’s a swell town to boot, and if you can’t have a good time there, check your pulse.

I’ll patiently await the outpouring of support, lol.

http://www.tn.gov/environment/parks/Bicentennial/historical/

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 7:37 pm
word, I’ll sign on with you.

The Mansion will never be properly restored and funded.

Better to create a useful park for all.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 8:59 pm
Thanks, AA. There’s no stopping us now!

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 9:08 pm
Word / AA,

You’re thinking too small. Take one corner and pour one mobile home pad. Then bring in a new trailer every four years for the Guv to live in. Heck, go big and do a double-wide; it would be much, much cheaper and easier maintenance. Just replace as needed …

LOL

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:26 pm
word,

I was in Nashville a couple of months ago but didn’t know about that park. Would have visited it had I known …

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:29 pm