Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Museum to take major hit as Robins, Air Force reduce civilian manning

The Museum of Aviation, Middle Georgia’s showplace and the product of almost three decades of effort and volunteerism, will take significant hits as Robins Air Force Base and the Air Force attempt to accommodate billions of dollars in budget reductions over the next ten years.

Robins officials announced last Thursday that 600 civilian positions would be cut from the base payroll. Eight of those will come from the museum, dropping the local institution’s authorized manning from 16 to 8.

How the reductions will be administered is being worked by Museum Director Ken Emery and Pat Bartness, president and chief operating officer of the Museum of Aviation Foundation. Three overhire positions may also be lost.

Emery said the goal is to identify slots that will result in the least impact.

“We have some latitude,” he noted, “but eight is still eight. It’s eight of 16 and that’s 50 percent. Regrettably, that’s going to impact our ability to maintain aircraft, do future exhibits and support other museum activities.”

A number of factors are being considered.

“Pat is looking at additional funding from the foundation,” Emery noted. “By the same token, we may need to downsize our operation to reduce costs. Those are all in flux right now as we determine how all of this is going to affect us.”

Maj. Gen. Bob McMahon, the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center commander at Robins, has been working the museum issue closely, Emery pointed out.

“The Air Force wants to support us,” he said, “but there are cuts on all fronts and the museum is part of that. The Air Force is facing serious budget cuts across the board and this is just part of the trickle down effect.”

The museum’s current annual operating budget is about $3.5 million. The foundation provides $1.5 million through its various fund raising activities. The Air Force allocates almost $2 million, including salaries and benefits for 16 people and funding for such necessary functions as utility costs, maintenance of facilities and grounds upkeep. How much of that $2 million will remain is unclear.

Emery said McMahon has stressed efficiency.

“The goal is to do a better job with reduced resources,” the director stressed, “and to get the most for our money from the investments we make. That’s Gen. McMahon’s challenge to me.”

The museum footprint is huge and its impact on the community is even more profound. More than 100 vintage aircraft are accommodated on the site. Four major buildings with more than 200,000 square feet of space contain 70,000 historical items. More than 600,000 people visited last year. Another 58,000 students – the largest number in museum history – participated in a variety of educational programs. Museum venues accommodate a multitude of public meetings, events and forums throughout the year.

Bartness said the objectives to this point are clear.

“The museum will continue operations,” he underscored. “That’s our firm intention and belief. We are also doing everything we can to make sure the education programs continue and get better and better.”

But the public will need to be more active and involved.

“Donations and support for all of our fund raising campaigns become even more important,” Bartness noted. “I realize this is a tough time for everybody, but we really need the public’s help.”

Emery said the public will need to decide how important the museum really is.

“They must determine if they are willing to step up and help us keep going at the present level,” he indicated.

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