As City and County officials toss things back and forth when it comes to the Riverquarium, there’s one thing that seems to be missed. One way to alleviate the expense while still providing the quality of life that people seem determined to have. Privatization.
People love the idea of the Riverquarium. It’s easy to see why. It’s an attraction that most communities don’t have. It gives us an opportunity to attract tourists that wouldn’t normally consider Albany. It really is a great thing. However, we got bamboozled on the thing in the beginning, and I just can’t over look it.
Before the Riverquarium opened, it was claimed that it would generate millions of dollars for the local economy. It was claimed that hundreds of thousands of tourists would come to Albany to see our Riverquarium. We were essentially told that it would be self supporting.
It hasn’t been.
While the Riverquarium is an interesting attraction, is it the best use of our tax dollars? Couldn’t they be better spent working with adult literacy, or increased law enforcement, or any of the thousands of other projects that could benefit from that money? Of course they could. However, people don’t want to close the Riverquarium either. So that leaves a bit of a conundrum. What do we do?
First, we need to look at the overall expenses. If they can be cut in any way, they should be, obviously. However, that determination needs to be made by an outside body, not the Riverquarium staff. While they may not consciously derail the process, they are the ones impacted and it may not happen like it needs to. But much of the cutting has already been done.
That leaves looking at some private entity to take over the operation. A profit motive would push for constant attention and attraction rotation, things that often doesn’t occur at local museums of various types (not just Albany ones, but all over the place). Profit, the vile scourge of economics, is actually the great motivator. The profit motive would keep things fresh, make things interesting enough for outside tourists to stop by, and successfully keep the Riverquarium afloat.
If profit is so evil, then perhaps an non-profit is the answer. Either way, it’s the same overall purpose. Pass it off to someone who will make it work and will be responsible to keep the doors open. That way, the people of Albany won’t have to.
Years ago when I first heard of the Riverquarium project, I did not think the suggestion was serious. Who in their right mind ever thought the Riverquarium would be self-supporting? It was meant as a downtown money sponge for Tommy Chatmon’s Albany Tomorrow organization to rake a project percentage from. That is why it had to be downtown and not at Chehaw, where it could have complimented the Wild Animal park – a natural fit. Now that the obvious has occurred, we look to tax revenue. What a surprise…..again.
If we hand it over to the state, as Carlton Fletcher brought up recently in an Albany Herald article, it would still be a burden on taxpayers, but off our local backs.
If we agree to privatize it, the big question is: To Whom? I think the odds of finding a private entity to risk their own money in that proven cash drain would be a miracle.
Neither the city or county cares about efficient use of resources or money. But a business must do so out of necessity.
If a bad idea, doesn’t work out
- a government will keep funding it.
- a business would pull the plug.
The situation with the Riverquarium is only a symptom of the real problem. The combined budgets for the City, County, School Board and WG&L are what; $300 or $400 million? But we’re talking about a few bucks to supplement the M&O of the Riverquarium. Meanwhile waste abounds and costs of services continue to increase. WG&L has raised both water and electrical rates in recent months (don’t forget the $90 million refund from MEAG) and tipping fees at the landfill are about to increase. We’re hiring tutors for our new school superintendent and paying off a bad debt for a corrupt church. I believe the local “leaders” have us right where they want us; arguing over what amounts to a rounding error.
You’re absolutely right wilson. The waste is widespread. The tyrants are brazen.
It’s like the local government has a “welfare mentality” when it comes to fiscal responsibility.
If one were to mention the word “accountability” – you would be laughed out a commission or school board meeting. It really is pathetic.