Cash-poor historical society will sell cars

[GMC400]

Thought this was interesting. Wasn't sure which forum to put it in so feel free to move.

CLEVELAND (AP) —An budget-strapped Ohio historical society is angering some auto buffs by selling off antique cars to balance its budget.

Cleveland's Western Reserve Historical Society has put up for sale 19 vehicles and one engine from the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum.

The cars include a 1956 Gullwing Mercedes-Benz, a 1930 Belanger Indianapolis Racer and a 1930 Bugatti phaeton touring car that might be the only one of its type in existence.

The sale, which also includes some furniture and pottery, is the latest attempt to eliminate the society's $5 million debt.

Western Reserve officials say the sales of the cars are designed to restore financial stability to preserve the rest of the collection.

But supporters of the Crawford museum say selling off the gems of its collection will cripple the museum.

http://www.chillicothegazette.com/ar...TES01/90808008

[HOTRODPAINT]

That is a cold hard business decision! Maybe Obama could give them 5 mil, and we could pay for it! :-) All those in favor, raise your hand....

.....I said hand...not finger! :-)

[37 Caddy]

I grew up going to that museum. That is sad.

[REGs]

I'm not sure "interesting" is the optimal word .... but all in all very sad indeed.

I think the word sickening is more to the point. I think this IS a sign of the times .... times we as AMERICANS have gotton are selves into.

I don't think our current leadership sets any example, except a poor one perhaps, that the country should be following in or buying into.

I can only say buy guns, ammo stock up on food & water then be prepared for the onslot.

REGS

[Dave Severson]

Hey, they're $5 mil in debt!!!!! I doubt that happened overnight. Museums and other artsy places will of course be some of the first affected by a poor economy. Or maybe just another case of poor management that is being blamed on the economy????

I'm not defending the give-away money, but i sure don't see where a museum selling some cars is a sign we should stock up on guns and ammo!!!! Not everything is a part of some great conspiracy......

Maybe it's time some of this unnecessary stuff learned to operate in a profitable manner, or maybe they should have to sell off some assets?????..... That's what the rest of us have to do from time to time.....

Museums buy and sell things on a daily basis, part of doing business..... Museums that have racked up $5 mil in debt probably need to clean up their business practices. No economy will support poor management....

[NTFDAY]

Dave I think you hit the nail on the head. Very possible poor management and unjustly high salaries. A bad economy is no excuse for poor management.

[Dave Severson]

Dave I think you hit the nail on the head. Very possible poor management and unjustly high salaries. A bad economy is no excuse for poor management.

Yup, but for the last few years it sure has been a handy excuse for every business that fails or cutsback because of poor management or a product that doesn't sell..... Then the media gets behind it, and the whole world is gonna come to an economic stand still!!!!! Just tired of it, just more of the lack of responsibility thing, I guess...... Much easier to blame someone or something else for failure....

[vara4]

I agree with you Dave;
What we need in the white house is a savy business man for once.
Maybe someone that has made a company big profits and knows how to run a business.
I don't see how gun's and stocking up on food will help the country.
And I ain't anti gun, I own a few guns myself and just don't think that will do it Regs.
Kurt

[shawnlee28]

The guns will not hurt when the homeless pillagers start clubbin people for a can of beans.

I have had to sell off stuff before to meet deficit requirements.....

Thats why i am moving to kansas......lots more responsible people with guns ,than pillagers with clubs lookin for food and money.....

I blame the banks and credit card companies for letting people with 7-11 type incomes buy 500,000 dollar houses and charge 30,000 boats on a credit card....lots of people will take all they can get and hope for the best........thats where limits come in or were suppose to come in and personal responsibility.

[STREETWERKZ]

Man that sucks... I know I have had to sell stuff to pay the bills befor also never an easy choice.