Politics, small towns, and money (or lack of)

I received some rather disturbing news concerning the Heritage Museum, its seems the current museum board has forced some changes to the museum by-laws, and the Shay project, as well as many other relating projects, have been shelved. This is very bothersome to me as this project is mid way though, and I am very concerned about what may happen to the shay locomotive. I fear it will turn into scrap metal and the funds being used for something else. 

Your help would be appreciated by contacting the museum and voicing your concerns about this locomotive project, it IS a piece of Libby's history and heritage. 

How to contact us

Phone: 406-293-7521 

E-mail: heritagemuseum@frontier.com

Heritage Museum

34067 US Hwy 2

PO Box 628 

Libby, MT 59923

Location

The Heritage Museum is located on the east side of U.S. Highway 2, on the southern end of Libby.

http://www.libbyheritagemuseum.org/shaylocomotive.htm

DRAFT ONLY - MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONS & CORRECTIONS

Minutes of the Board Meeting of The Heritage Museum

June 8th, 2015

The meeting opened at 7:04 by President Susan Castaneda.

Guests: Anna Erlandson from Erlandson Insurance Agency. Brett McCully Director of Operations for the Lincoln County Port Authority.

Brett McCully spoke. He is in the beginning planning stage for an access road to ease public traffic in the industrial area , it would cross Museum property and an easement would be necessary. He brought up several possibilities including a swap, their easement request for ours. He gave out handouts to illustrate his ideas.The County Road Dept. has already offered to put the road in for them, it would likely be fenced keeping the public off Museum property. This project wouldn't even begin until likely sometime next spring.

Minutes: Jasmine read the minutes from the May 11th meeting. Charles made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Don 2nd'd, Accepted.

Correspondence: Jasmine read a letter from Susie M. McEuen at the the Renaissance Charitable Foundation notifying us that the Museum has received a $10,000 grant from the Schoknecht family which is designated for the Shay Restoration.

Locks And Keys: August purchased the locks and keys. They are in the process of changing the locks but it is slow while they have been working on the grounds. Access to the new keys will be kept limited. A policy will have to be put in place for this and Bob volunteered to draft one for the Board to look over. August thanked Don and Clarence for their help with the yard. They still need an extra person to take over the weed-eating.

Exhibits: Laurie reported that they are plugging away at the Vermiculite display and will get back to it now that Opening Day is past.

Railroad: Don talked about their visit last week with Stathi Pappas at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, WA. August showed some photos they took on their trip. Don showed them the boiler ultrasound test and Stathi said it looks like it might be repairable. He would have to come here to examine it, at a cost of $5,000, it would then pass all regulations and would be certified for 15 years. The previous ultrasounds that were done could have included more if the guys had taken off more parts to expose other areas. This project is now at the crossroads, do we pay for this or scrap the entire project. Stathi wouldn't come until September/October but there is work that needs to be done in the meantime. Charles made a motion to spend the $5000 for Stathi to come over and do the work, Brent 2nd'd, Accepted. The $5000 includes Stathi's work, travel expenses, and lodging, there would be 2 people coming. They will be planning work days for the Shay over the summer.

Laurie made a motion to adjourn, Charles 2nd'd.

Meeting adjourned at 9:40