Tallman backers decry subsidy cut
JANESVILLE — Tallman House supporters say a cut in the city subsidy to the historic property comes at the wrong time as volunteers are reinventing the organization and have new fundraising momentum.
The city council during a recent budget study session voted to halve the approximate $61,000 subsidy to the Tallman House.
The city owns the Tallman House and nearby Stone House, and the Rock County Historical Society runs the properties.
Phil Schauer, a member of the historical society board, said salaries to run the Tallman House total about $35,000; utilities are about $15,000, and maintenance, insurance, advertising and printing total about $10,000.
That total—about $60,000—is more than the city subsidy, he said.
"We don't have excess funding, we don't have a lot of money floating along," Schauer said. "We do a lot with volunteers. We're trying to reinvent ourselves.
"We want to be a part of things going on in Janesville."
Duke Ellingson, president of the historical society board, said the board realizes the council must keep property taxes down during tough economic times.
But the historical society, too, is looking for ways to reduce its budget and cut services. It's investigating funding alternatives, he said.
Ellingson noted that Janesville has been chosen as one of three sites in Wisconsin to hold bicentennial celebrations marking Abraham Lincoln's birthday. That's important for Janesville's image and to attract tourism money, he said.
The board also plans to expand the Tallman Arts Festival from one day to two days and to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's visit to Janesville on Oct. 1 and 2.
Tim Maahs, secretary, noted the increase in people who attended this summer's historic home tour—from 207 in 2007 to 600 this year. Next year's tour will be in the Jefferson-Bostwick area, he said.
"There was great momentum generated by that one event," Maahs said. "I'm very concerned that momentum will be impacted by cuts."
The board wants to strengthen its relationship with the city,
With GM closing, "it's time to look at ways to reinvent who we are," Maahs said.
"I think the historical society can help us get there."
WHAT'S NEXT
The Janesville City Council will meet for its third study session on the 2009 budget at 6 p.m. Wednesday in City Hall. Monday's public hearing was continued to Monday, Nov. 24, when the council is scheduled to hear more from the community before voting on the budget.
Nov 12, 2008 at 11:06 a.m.
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Those who value the Tallman house are free to step up, open their checkbooks and provide as much support as they can or will without the need to wait for a tax bill. That is the proper way that such a thing should find its support.
Taxes are for vital government functions first and foremost. Those functions must take priority. The Tallman house is a non-essential expense particularly in tough times. That it gets any public support at all right now should be received with gratitude by its supporters and not with complaints.
Nov 12, 2008 at 11:02 a.m.
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This is just my experience but this is a poorly run orginization. As the article states they have new fundraising inititives. Ihope these go over better than some of thier past inititives. I went to a car show there last Fathers Day only to find no car show. They (Tallman House) advertised this on many free collector car websites. I double checked several sites and the show was listed "rain or shine" but without any contact info. I did not travel far but when I got there they said they were not having a show and only left the "free" ad's running to see if there was any intrest. Thanks for wasting my time and a few others that traveled to the show. Yeah, not a big deal but it reflected poorly on thier orginization. They did offer my son and a few others that were sitting there in classic cars a tour but we said no thanks and moved on. To me it shows poor management on thier part. Manage it properly and it may survive on it's own.
Nov 11, 2008 at 10:18 p.m.
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There is no pleasing everyone, it is as simple as that. When money is flush, there are never any issues, but when things get tight as they are now, no one wants their taxes to go up, yet they do not want their lives effected. Bottom line is you cannot have it both ways. Either taxes must go up, or something has to be cut, end of story. I would agree that the Tallman House is a worthy cause which cannot be left to fall apart, but there must be more that can be done than relying on the City to foot the bill. And if any of you are going to comment about my opinion, yes I have been effected by the GM situation directly in losing my job, but you cannot get tunnel vision based on your specific situation. Being in that position, I certainly cannot afford for my taxes to increase, but you have to willing to give something up. You must look at the big picture, which is tough to do in the finger pointing society we now live in.
Nov 11, 2008 at 9:32 p.m.
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Our city council cuts back on the Tallman House yet votes to fund a children’s museum, and considers keeping an old junky gas station. WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS? WAKE UP!
Nov 11, 2008 at 8:39 p.m.
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Localboy, I was comparing government money to lollipops, and complaints about spending cuts to throwing rotten eggs. No money for a dog park, dog owners will throw rotten eggs when they don't get their lollipops. No bicycle tunnel, I foresee the bicycle riders passing around egg cartons. No children's museum... well I think I made my point.
Nov 11, 2008 at 8:23 p.m.
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Instead of turning Rockport pool into a water park (done deal for 2009 but, who new), maintain it as is. Use the millions from the pool project to upkeep Tallman.
Send your Council members an email to nix the pool project,It's your money!
Nov 11, 2008 at 8:22 p.m.
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This is tragic. I understand times are hard right now, and more than likely to become more so, but the Tallman House is truly a Janesville treasure. I understand that right now the council has priorities to the citizens here in Janesville, and money has to be saved. I would like to see more public use of this building. I'm not suggesting that it be rented out for parties, etc., but I think there are some things that can be done so that the building is more self sufficient in terms of finances. I know there are a lot of history lovers in our city. Does the Tallman House currently host lectures by local historians? I think this would be a great opportunity for the historical society to bring in some money. Charge admission, contact history professors throughout the UW system and ask them to donate their time. I'm sure there are a lot of opportunites here. I'd love to know more about the ideas being tossed around.
Nov 11, 2008 at 6:28 p.m.
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We should take the money the city was going to use to build more baseball diamonds and make better use of it, to help the Tallman house.
Nov 11, 2008 at 5:50 p.m.
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I would not compare the janesville jewel (Tallman House) to a lollipop. A dog park, yes. Walk your dog around the block like everybody else. Skate park, yes. Skate in an empty parking lot. GM will have plenty of that soon.
Nov 11, 2008 at 11:23 a.m.
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Government spending is like handing out candy on Halloween. If you run out of lollipops, expect a hail of rotten eggs thrown your way.
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