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Operating on government r.o.w.
http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41410		 Page 2 of 2
Author:  robertmacdowell [ Sun Dec 10, 2017 6:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Operating on government r.o.w.
jayrod wrote:
And we had a place to move to (purchased by us) by rail 2 miles away. That was our saving grace. Most operations that lease don't have that option.

"don't have that option"? Really.

Most of them *certainly did* have that option, because they had a revenue stream capable of paying for a site of their own, and indeed that was the initial plan/hope. But they chose to fritter away their money collecting future eyesores, air conditioning a building not theirs, paying for staff they didn't need (partly because it helped settle the Board's endless bickering), "golf carts" (whimsical unnecessary projects), and yielding to any of the gazillion more petty demands on their money. As a result, no money for new property, no money to move and no plan, long-term debt also that they expected to pay off using someone else's railroad

They forgot this was a temporary deal with an indeterminate end, and never developed a plan to come up with a permanent home, perhaps because of bickering on the subject. The temporary becomes normal, and a few volunteer turnovers later, nobody knows anything different. They feel rich and that feels good. And then boom, the hammer drops (to no one's surprise but theirs). Who moved my cheese!?

Any chimpanzee can sit on a Board and spend money, the hard part's in earning it and making sure it's expended on-mission.
Author:  JR May [ Mon Dec 11, 2017 9:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Operating on government r.o.w.
"Any chimpanzee can sit on a Board and spend money, the hard part's in earning it and making sure it's expended on-mission."

This is probably the single, most useful quote I have seen on RyPN in some time.

Successful organizations have a strong board with a broad experience base who have the ability to take on the tough decisions associated with issues such as ROW or property ownership. Again, well stated. I know of one organization that had ten years to develop a solution versus a continued lease, but having driven off those who could make such alternate solutions a reality, they are now faced with a real time dilemma.
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