RE: [DML] The merger of threads. (New DeLorean/Museum)

["Tom Tait" <TTait@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Marc:

 

I have offered my help to James et al in putting together the museum,
but I'm not on their board and to date I have not done anything for
them.  I have not had any conversations with them as to their plans or
motivations, but I can make informed assumptions, I build and renovate
museums and visitors centers for a living.

 

First, I'm sure there are very good an honorable intentions for simply
having a museum; carrying on a legacy, telling a story, sharing
documents, all that good stuff.  That is the part everyone is either
focusing on or trying to quantify - how pure are everyone's motivations
- and even if they are pure what might happen in the future.  There is
another side to the whole concept of a museum, and profit has its place
in this side as well.

 

It is safe to assume that everyone on the museum committee as either
individuals or within their companies has a number of items of value
that would go in the museum.  They have value and they are just sitting
on the books.  They are tying up capitol, space, they need to be stored
and cared for properly - but you would NEVER throw them away.  While
historically significant and irreplaceable, they are albatrosses around
the necks of their owners.

 

So you own a significant car, worth a lot of money, you spend $ taking
care of it and you can't and won't sell it - what do you do?

 

You start a not for profit museum organization.  You donate that
artifact and get the tax write off while simultaneously ensuring the
safety of that item for the future. Win: Win.

 

Not for profit organizations and museums have rules, guidelines, and
procedures.  I'm sure somewhere (in Houston probably) Enron had a Museum
or not for profit archive and they cheated and stole and yes yes yes -
it could somehow be abused - these guys are not Enron.  Darth Koncelik?
James Rove perhaps?  I don't see it.

 

I'm sure as businessmen everyone involved with both a business and the
museum sees the financial benefits of transferring assets to a museum,
and I see nothing Machiavellian about that.  If DMCH drives itself to
bankruptcy due to making bad business decisions, all those artifacts and
assets would get destroyed, lost, or sold at auction (history repeating
itself).  Of course they want profits and thank God they are getting
some.  It makes both financial and moral sense to do a museum.  I
question neither the motives nor the ethics of those involved.  I don't
think the creativity or the potential windfall exist to turn the museum
into a private ATM for those involved.

 

The financial logic of setting the museum up as a not for profit seems
clear to me, personally.  Before anyone chooses to donate money or goods
to any museum, charity or not-for-profit, its wise to understand the
nature and workings of that organization.  If you want to consider
donating something, ASK if you can get a tax write off, ASK how the item
will be stored and used - ASK.  I would not donate anything to be
stacked on the inventory shelves at DMCH and used to generate profit.  I
won't donate anything which will be stored in a shed in New Orleans
below sea level either.

 

If you don't like the museum or its committee, don't donate anything,
but I'd say it's unfair to suggest at this point that they are out to
take advantage of anyone.

 

My opinion only.

 

Tom

10902

________________________________

From: Marc Levy
Subject: [DML] The merger of threads. (New DeLorean/Museum)

 

--- Shannon Yocom <ssdelorean@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:ssdelorean%40yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> I understand the confusion amongst the ignorant
> public-ADD-sound bite generation,
> but Stephen did get John's approval to use the name
> (I know, I know... playing Marc's Advocate...
> where's the "proof").

Why would you state this as fact, when there is no
proof?

The correct sound bite is that they CLAIM to have
gotten John's approval... Not that it matters,
because they did not need it!

Stephen, James, and the rest of the folks down in
Texas (as well as the rest of the new franchise
members) may all have a personal interest in
DeLoreans, and a desire to carry on a "legacy" such
that they would spear-head an effort to build NEW
DeLoreans, or open a museum. But, I find it amazing
how so many posts in the past few weeks simply ignore
the fact that we are talking about a business and
(this time) not the individuals that operate them, and
there is a tone that these businesses are somehow
operating in the best interest of the general DeLorean
public.

They operate for PROFIT. In many ways, they will
continue to do some things that are in the best
interest of the owners but that is because there is a
motivation of profit in it.


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