Re: [ARSCLIST] well, this might explain why so many sonic treasures languish in government warehouses

[Steven Smolian <smolians@xxxxxxxxx>]

Sionce the Smithsonian is at leat 30% privately funded (which makes for 
interesting "which pocket" problems when dealing with their financial 
staff), your suggestion doesn't apply.

Actually, I see nothing wrong with competing for the best executive for the 
job in the open marketplace.  Why should a public institution have to settle 
for lower quality personnel anyway?  Perhaps the issue is in defining "best" 
for the search committee and having draconian penalties when they violiate 
it.  The same holds true for the board.

Steven Smolian

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Fine" <tflists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2007 10:30 AM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] well, this might explain why so many sonic treasures 
languish in government warehouses


> Yes, like I said, someone expecting CEO style compensation should go work 
> as a CEO in the private sector. The problem with universities, museums and 
> other institutions is that all too often you get (mostly) guys who can't 
> cut it in the private sector but expect to be compensated like they work 
> for GE. And, they are able to build feifdoms around them and live even 
> larger, awarding their friends and punishing those who call for 
> accountability. I can cite many a PBS station, for example, that have 
> wasted millions on monuments to pure ego. Museums and universities are 
> just as bad. If you're not into public service, you should stay out of the 
> public sector.
>
> -- Tom Fine
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Mike Richter" <mrichter@xxxxxxx>
> To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2007 10:04 AM
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] well, this might explain why so many sonic 
> treasures languish in government warehouses
>
>
> > Tom Fine wrote:
> > > http://tinyurl.com/27man8
> > >
> > > This guy is allegedly a "public servant." He should be fired and the 
> > > office put under very strict oversight, with the executive budget cut to 
> > > the bone. Someone wanting to get rich and live like a CEO doesn't belong 
> > > in charge of the Smithsonian, or the LOC or any other government 
> > > institution. Such jobs are not for those in it for the rich and famous 
> > > living large life.
> > >
> > > No wonder so much audio material in the hands of the Smithsonian will 
> > > never be conveniently available to the public (public = owners and 
> > > funders of said museum). Disgraceful!
> > >
> > > -- Tom Fine
> >
> > Bah, humbug.
> >
> > $90K over 5 years -> $18K / year -> ~2% of his compensation, $900K/year 
> > according to that article.
> >
> > I grant that waste of that sort should be stopped, but the greater 'sin' 
> > would appear to be his compesnation, not his expense account.
> >
> > The argument will surely be that he is executive officer of an 
> > institution with X employees managing Y megabucks per year and that a 
> > million dollars a year is appropriate under those circumstances given 
> > corresponding salaries in industry.
> >
> > Mike
> > --
> > mrichter@xxxxxxx
> > http://www.mrichter.com/
>
>
> --
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