Franklin responds to story about museum (02/09/06)

(Editor’s note: The following letter to the editor is in response to an article published Feb. 1 in The (Dunkirk) News and Sun and Feb. 2 in The Commercial Review)

To the editor:

I would like to reply to your recent Feb. 1 front page article entitled “Glass Museum may move to Stewart's building.”

First and foremost let me issue a public apology on behalf of myself, Dru Hall and the Dunkirk Improvement Committee to Mr. Richard Stewart for the publication of this article and its contents. This article resulted due to the notes taken at a recent Dunkirk Improvement Committee meeting on Jan. 24, 2006, and questions posed to various committee members, one being myself.

There were two pages of notes on “future possibilities” which were discussed at this meeting, with one idea being the possibility of obtaining the now vacant Stewart Brothers Building to locate the Glass Museum to a position upon Main Street. The idea was discussed due to the committee's need to focus on a future project that would highlight the primary remaining tourism attraction in Dunkirk, and try to find a way to locate it on Main Street. This would not only improve tourism, but move forward and also highlight this area's rich history in glass-making.

Dunkirk being the “Glass Capitol of Indiana” has always been the theme for this town and should be emphasized in the future. This idea of a future possibility of a move was an idea, not a concrete possibility at this point.

I feel that this article was published due to the excitement this idea presented in not only the possibility of improving downtown Dunkirk, but in obtaining a location big enough for a proper display of the museum's already extensive and beautiful collections. I was as honest as I could be when questioned about the future meeting with Mr. Stewart, confirming to (News and Sun editor) Bob Banser that this was indeed “private” and just a meeting to discuss possibilities for the future expecting that this related the need for privacy of my honest answer to this question to be respected and maintained. I apologize for any misunderstanding on my part in the relation to the press.

This publication of this article has caused undue stress and ripples throughout the community as well as for me, Mr. Stewart, the Dunkirk City Public Library Board and the Dunkirk Improvement Committee members.

It is no secret to anyone who has spoken to me personally about my passion to increase the size and capabilities of both the Dunkirk City Public Library and the Glass Museum in the future, as both are in dire need of more room.

However, with the recent tax abatement problems that have caused a shortfall in tax distribution revenues upon which the library and museum operate on, this is not something we are planning on doing this year. We do wish to try to strive towards obtaining these goals in the future if we are able to obtain funding through grants and other resources.

The Glass Museum is owned and operated by the Dunkirk City Public Library and managed by the Dunkirk City Public Library Board and employees with the help of many wonderful volunteers throughout the season. Therefore its proximity to the library is essential to maintain the collection without adding many more undue expenses to its operations. However, we feel due to this premature publication of this future “possibility,” this may have jeopardized this option.

There were many other highlighted points discussed at the recent Dunkirk Improvement Committee meeting that should however, be made public and emphasized. Mr. Terry Burnworth, president of Pyramid Architect-Engineering & Construction Administration, Inc., was present and discussed the hidden gem he felt we needed to focus on in this community as being the Glass Museum and the need for better signage directing others to this area. The committee had previously discussed this idea and even had obtained some preliminary quotes through Mr. Mike Shannon on pricing for these signs.

We do wish to continue “forward” progress in taking action to locate areas in which to place signage directing traffic into Dunkirk and highlighting the glass theme through the Glass Museum. This is our main focus and goal which we decided to start with. All other downtown improvement ideas, including the relocation of the Glass Museum to an area upon Main Street are goals and future possibilities to continue to work towards in the upcoming years.

We realize the importance of planning and implementing these plans one step at a time. We encourage any members of this community to get involved in preserving our town and to come to our meetings to not only share your ideas, but to participate in working together in a unified and positive manner to improve the area and address its immediate needs.

There is also, through collaboration with the Jay County Community Development office, possibilities being explored to bring a grocery store back to Dunkirk as well. At this point we all wish to remain positive and continue forward progress to start an uphill climb to the revitalization and improvement of Dunkirk for the good of all of the citizens and businesses already here as well as the future growth possibilities.

In closing please allow me once more to reiterate the sincere apologies to Mr. Richard Stewart for a private matter being discussed in the press as this was not anyone's intentions.

We wish to maintain a good relationship with both Mr. Stewart and The News and Sun and regret any premature speculations on future possibilities that have occurred.

Anyone needing to discuss this matter is encouraged to contact me at the Dunkirk City Public Library between the hours of 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, as I will be more than happy to answer any questions that may arise.

Sincerely,

Ailesia Franklin, director,

Dunkirk Public Library, and

executive director,

Glass Museum

Dunkirk

Bad move

To the editor:

Move the Glass Museum? Horrors.

The museum was designed and built to house glass products and to show them off at their showiest best by all the natural light and strategically placed lighting.

To move this multimillion-dollar collection to the dark environs of the Stewart Bros. Furniture building will be the same as signing a death knell for the Dunkirk Glass Museum.

There is currently no money for renovations and much would need to be done.

At the present time the east light comes into the museum to show off a floor-to-ceiling display of colored glass. Beautiful on a sunny morning. The whole western side of the building is glass floor-to-ceiling showing off a more varied collection of pieces. There is a clerestory around the balcony. More natural light.

Yes, it’s crowded but it is beautiful.

The Stewart Bros. Building is dark — windows only on the east and that light is blocked by a large awning. And is it structurally sound? Could additional windows be added later if ever the money was available? Only at great expense, if possible at all.

If something must be moved, let it be the library. That too is badly overcrowded. I have to use the furniture and book stacks to walk around in there because there is not room for me to use my walker.

The library could use all the windowless wall-space at the Stewart Bros. building and be functional with only the east windows.

There also would be room for a proper office for the head Librarian, more space for the programs that the Library has for the young people, and much more space for books.

Economically heating and cooling costs for both areas are very high. The current Glass Museum area is only minimally heated from November to May when it is closed.

It certainly would cost more to heat the Stewart Bros. Building even minimally.

Part of the Glass Museum could be moved into the present library. So could an enlarged gift shop.

None of the museum glass is sold, but we carry some Jim Davis pieces and some from Max Miller.

The books written by Bob Harshman, Oma Scruggs, both of Dunkirk, and Ron Teal of Albany are on sale.

Much planning must be done before any changes are made. Money is a prime factor for acquisition, remodeling and maintenance expenses as well as for administrative purposes. Grants are available for some areas.

Private money would probably be necessary to have a workable resolution.

Natalie Cox

Docent, Glass Museum

and a resident of Dunkirk[[In-content Ad]]