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Chair of  Museum Board calls Antoun's site "wrong location" 
Fred Clark says he will not head project unless site changed

We had been hearing rumors that Annette has refused meeting requests with Fred Clark, the Reed appointed chair of the museum project. see: Clark will lead efforts to build next museum -- Patriot-News, Feb. 13, 2002

This struck us as odd behavior, even for Annette who might be charitably regarded as eccentric.

The reason became very clear in a Patriot-News story ("2nd Street Smarts," Sept. 21, 2002, page A-1) where Clark publicly disagreed with Antoun and Reed's preferred location for the museum.

     "While he says he admires Reed, Clark questions decisions such as the location of The National Civil War Museum, a Reed pet project.

     "Now heading a similar project, Clark said he will not fulfill his leadership role in the planned African-American Museum unless it is moved from its proposed location on Sixth Street to downtown. (emphasis added)

     "'The African-American Museum needs to be downtown," he said. "I don't want to be part of something that's not going to work.'"

 While we remain to be convinced the city's business district is crying out for more tax-exempt property, we are pleased Clark had the courage to call the Antoun scheme unworkable. Welcome to Annette's enemy list, Fred.

We also heartily agree with Clark's criticism of Reed's planning process:

     "Clark also criticized the city and, by default, its leaders, for lacking an overall vision for the city's future.  'One of the problems is, there never has been a plan,' Clark said. 'There was never a strategy.'"

No where is this more evident than in the museum project.  Conceived by Antoun and backed by Reed (see: Half-truths and Pandering) behind closed doors, the project and its location has been presented as a fait accompli.  There was no planning process, no opportunities for public input and no studies

In November, 2000, Dr. Brent Glass, executive director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, told the Central Penn Business Journal,  “a proposed museum typically starts with a feasibility study, costing between $25,000 and $100,000, to determine the need, the audience, potential locations and sources of funding.”  see: Mansion Sale Sparks Protest -- Central Penn Business Journal  Nearly two years later, there is still no study.

Clark is absolutely right.  Hopefully his public statements will focus increased scrutiny on the museum proposal as advanced by Reed and Antoun.  There is no doubt he is now a target for the wrath of the Poxtongue Harridan.  We doubt that's of much concern to him.