Columnist David MartinNo, this commentary will not be littered with potshots at the board and staff. They're good people who undoubtedly feel horribly about the current state of a project that has enjoyed overwhelming community support for roughly a decade. Instead, I simply want to make a suggestion about what I see as an essential first step to regaining public trust and securing the finances to complete the overdue buildout - if it's not already too late.
Without trust, maintaining public goodwill and raising funds are impossible tasks for a nonprofit organization. And when $10 million evaporates with little to show for it; well, let's just say it's left a massive confidence crater. For reference, $10 million would have funded the nonprofit where I used to work for a quarter century. We wouldn't have known how to spend that much moolah. Neither would 95 percent of this town's 501(c)3s.
That's why the first thing most folks have wondered about the fiscal fallout is, "Where did all the money go?" It's a fair question, and answering it is where the CHC should begin its trust-building campaign.
To be clear, that doesn't mean a bland statement like "costs exceeded the budget." Everyone can see that was the case. I mean specifics. The CHC should produce a year-by-year, line-by-line report of every single dollar that was spent. Yes, even on staples.
Because, let's be honest, the CHC now has the rap as a money pit. People don't trust those. Ever hear of the federal government? Chattanoogans want to know where exactly their investment went. Not just foundation, corporate, and big donor money. The city of Chattanooga contributed a reported $578,000 of taxpayer money. That means we all had skin in the game. Every set of eyeballs in the Scenic City should be able to read a detailed, multi-year audit.
Caroline Sunderland holds a rendering during a tour of the Chattanooga History Center. Though some community members have been more outspoken about their disappointment with the mismanagement of funds, it's safe to say that the vast majority would still love to see the project succeed. Chattanooga is a dynamic city, whose story needs to be safeguarded and shared. The CHC would be integral to this.
But it's more than just showcasing cool exhibits with voiceovers from Hollywood stars. Every so often I get to teach undergraduate U.S. history classes. It's a treat, and every semester I argue that one of the greatest values of historical study is that it helps us understand who we are today and how society has gotten to its current state. No future planning can be made without putting value on what's in the rear view. That's true on the macro, world history scale, just as it is on a micro, more local level.
For a town that is constantly eyeing tomorrow, a clear-eyed historical appreciation is necessary. This principle also applies to organizations thriving off community support. To chart a course forward, we need to know "how we got here."
Contact David Allen Martin at davidallenmartin423@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @DMart423.