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Railroad Museum — a sound investment in your community

Governor Hull not withstanding, the Arizona State Railroad Museum project continues to make progress. It is terribly frustrating to win all of the battles and lose the war. Such was the case with our last experience at the state legislature. We enjoyed excellent support and effort on the parts of our northern Arizona legislative team — Senator Verkamp and Representatives O’Halleran and Sedillo. Our only downfall was Gov. Hull and her commitment to the “economic shortfall.”

Mayor Edes, Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber executive director John Sullivan and I spent many hours on the road and at the legislature attending committee meetings and making presentations. Our three legislators also spent many hours in discussions with influential legislators, in caucus, and with us at the committee hearings. The upshot was that we carried the legislature with the only votes against us being 10 Republicans from Maricopa County and two Democrats from Tucson.

Out of more than 100 bills introduced for appropriations, we were one of 29 passed. In spite of all this hard work and confidence by the legislature, Gov. Hull turned it into an exercise in futility and vetoed all 29 bills. Our only consolation is that we made it through the legislative process and are in the company of some very fine bills that went down with us.

We have already made the determination to submit an appropriations bill for the museum in the next session. Recognizing that the museum is rural development in its finest form, our legislators, the city, chamber of commerce and many other involved people remain committed to the project and we will prevail.

On another note, a few months ago we instituted a shareholder investment program within the community of Williams for the $150,000 needed to hire on the director and curatorial staff prior to beginning the planning process. Shareholders contribute a minimum of $1,000 and for their commitment will be invited to take part in special functions beginning with the groundbreaking ceremony. We are asking the community to invest this amount because it is the community and local businesses that will benefit the most from the museum. To date, the response has been less than gratifying.

What has been gratifying is that seven businesses/families and the Chamber Ambassadors have more than extended themselves to help make the museum a reality. At the last Chamber mixer the Ambassadors presented the foundation with almost $1,100 collected from within their ranks. These people don’t just talk, they walk the walk. We are most pleased to welcome them as shareholders.

Since Friday’s mixer, Bill and Lindie Rodgers of Superior Propane have also joined the ranks of museum shareholders.

Incidentally, the foundation will be pleased to welcome shareholders who will make regular payments toward the $1,000. Also, donors at any level are welcome and will be recognized for their contribution in the entryway to the museum.

At that same mixer, the Ambassadors hosted some of our senior citizens and raised funds for the Bill Williams Senior Center. This is particularly pleasing to me, as I firmly believe we need to respect and honor the people who paved the way for us. It is doubly pleasing to me because these same seniors spent many hours on the phone calling senators and representatives during our recent campaign. They were instrumental in our successes.

In short, we have to endure this setback but we continue to work hard to bring the museum to Williams. All of us working to that end realize what a positive impact it will have on the community’s economy. We have identified other high-dollar grants that appear to be attainable. The city and Williams Main Street are working with us to make them become reality.

As always, your tax-deductible investment in the community may be mailed to the ASRM Foundation at 204 W. Railroad Ave., or dropped at the chamber of commerce office. If you have any questions, I will be happy to discuss them in person, by phone (523-7209), or e-mail (al.richmond@nau.edu).

(Al Richmond is the Arizona State Railroad Museum Foundation president.)


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