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400-year party's a little short on money,
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By FRED Le BRUN
First published: Sunday, December 23, 2007
Like so many notices that come out of government, Congressman Maurice Hinchey's announcement Friday said one thing, but meant something a little different.
"Hinchey, Clinton & McHugh obtain final Congressional approval of $492,200 for Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial celebration," read the release.
Nearly a half million for the 400th celebration in 2009, is seemingly great news. But actually, it amounts to merely good news. Back in September, when Hinchey announced the stars were finally lining up for congressional approval of a quadricentennial bill, a bill that had been blocked for a couple of years by a New York-unfriendly Republican congressman from California, he was optimistic he could get $1 million.
"No, it's not as much as we wanted, but it's what we have," Hinchey acknowledged. This means some groups up and down the Hudson Valley and especially up in the Champlain area, will be counting on less to do more. Hinchey said the gatekeeper for these federal funds will be Sarah Olson, superintendent of the National Park Service's Roosevelt/Vanderbilt Historic Sites, administered out of Hyde Park. This money will be aimed primarily at enhancing the federal face on the celebration.
"We're extremely pleased with the congressman's news, even though it does come at a very late date. Time is so short," said Olson. "Now it's important for us to coordinate with the state commission."
Ah yes, the state commission, truly a work in progress. Time is indeed short. In a year and a week the 400th is on us. Meanwhile, the state's Hudson Fulton Champlain Quadricentennial Commission remains a day late and a dollar short in terms of organization, momentum, vision, fundraising in the corporate community and in generally getting the word out. Otherwise, we're in great shape.
This week, the commission got its fifth executive director in about three years. Heather Baker-Sullivan is out, Tara Sullivan (no relation) is in. The position pays $90,000. Tara Sullivan is the wife of Ned Sullivan, executive director of Scenic Hudson in Poughkeepsie, and a former spokesperson for Bard College.
"It's not so much that Heather Baker-Sullivan was let go, as a new team came in," offered Bob Bullock. He is a veteran Albany fundraiser and president of the state Education Department's New York Archives Partnership Trust. In addition to that job, Bullock will share executive duties for the commission with Tara Sullivan. They will have offices at the headquarters of the state Department of Environmental Conservation on Broadway in Albany.
His specialty is fundraising. Private sector fundraising is fearfully behind for the 400th, and a key to organizing any meaningful celebration.
That, and the direct and explicit involvement of Gov. Eliot Spitzer. We desperately need the governor to embrace this project, or frankly there is a likelihood we will be witness to an enormous lost opportunity here, for international recognition, tourism, economic development, relearning about ourselves and so much more.
Sadly, despite largely a volunteer effort by many well-meaning people up and down the valley and up to the Canadian border, the 2009 celebration of our history remains a frustratingly unfulfilled mission. The grand vision of hundreds of signature projects and events that will live long after the party hats are put away maddeningly remains in the formative process.
Time is killing us.
Bullock insists the team is energized and that there is time enough to bring it all together. I'm skeptical, but hope he's right. At least two changes in the way this commission has operated so far are essential if that's going to happen, one in the commission's control and one not.
It's been operating under a bushel basket, as an opaque entity and a private club. Trying to get information about the commission and its doings is like trying to gain access to Homeland Security computers. Simple stuff, like what projects have they got in mind and how much of a budget do they need.
The commission has got to open up, engage the public, at least the caring public. Both to build anticipation and to get feedback -- then act on the feedback. It has got to start putting projects in play, making decisions, spending money. It has nearly $1 million in the bank to play with. At that, we're at the 11th hour. Nearly losing a documentary on the Dutch in New York because funds were slow to be released, as I'm told is the case, is a good example of what shouldn't happen.
Which brings us back to Governor Spitzer and his State of the State just days away. Make us smile, governor.
Yes, this is going to be a tight budget year. But shame on us if the Empire State can't muster the financial commitment to do its considerable history proud. A history that will no doubt be referred to any number of times during the speech.
Fred LeBrun can be reached at 454-5453 or by e-mail at flebrun@timesunion.com.
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