| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Proposed closure of Wandsworth Museum | |
| Posted by: | Cedric Peachey | |
| Date/Time: | 12/03/07 09:56:00 |
| Cllr Grimston, If you will take the trouble to read what I posted, I asked you in this very thread, on the 4th February, well over a month ago, when you last visited the Museum. My precise words were: "When did he last visit Wandsworth Museum for any reasonable length of time and how often has he been to the Museum in the last 12 months?" You declined or failed to reply, despite several reminders from other readers. It is strange indeed that you now suddenly feel moved to take such overstated umbrage when the question is repeated and the obvious conclusions have been drawn from your repeated refusal to respond. Attempting to smear residents who pose an entirely proper question is a pretty poor tactic. I am delighted that you found time to make so many photo-opportunities in the Museum. I'm sure Brightside and the local press were very grateful. Would it be too much to enquire if you also spent some time with the staff in the last 12 mionths to find out what they actually do and the range of services they provide? Or were you content to rely on your occasional wanders around the Museum to provide you with a complete assessment of the Museum's value and performance? As for the comparison with BAC, the maintenance of a respectful, positive, professional dialogue depends on both parties. As I have shown above, too much of what has been said by Councillors on this matter has been inaccurate, exaggerated or an insult to our intelligence. Martin Hime has asked you to stop pretending that your proposals will somehow "improve access to culture". Will you now do so? It is evident that your figure of £417,000 for the Museum's costs was inflated as it includes the Local History Service. The cost per visitor of £18 quoted by the Council and fed to the press is therefore more than double the true cost per customer served by the Museum. The current £5m funding hole that Cllr Heaster conjured up is equally dubious as it is obvious from the Council's own figures that there is no funding gap this year beyond that created by three years' worth of nil community tax increases. How many more examples do you need of a failure to speak to residents honestly and fairly? Meet us halfway and we'll be more than happy to enter into a sensible dialogue. But please stop these Alice-in-Wonderland pronouncements and gimmicky sloganising. |