Anne, Thank you for sending the article on "The Great Savings Plan". My trip to Scotland and of course my extended stay to the Moray Heritage Centre was postponed this year but still plan to make the visit. I am sure the Moray Council has considered the economic spin off from visitors who come to the region to learn more about their heritage, such as supporting accommodations, artisans, restaurants & pubs. My wish would be that the council will look at preserving the services that are being offered at present but will also explore how perhaps an investment in expansion of services could be a revenue generator. Libraries and Museums are an investment not an expense. Researching family roots is a growing industry and is set to be even bigger if you look at the demographics of the baby boomers just starting to retire. This is the ideal time to ensure that the region is ready to accommodate visitors and ensure that their experience will result in repeat visits and referrals. Researching best practices of other worldwide communities where a strategic decision was made to ensure that libraries and museums were accessible and a place of learning for the community and visitors thus preserving a communities' culture would be my goal. Deb Hamilton Canada -----Original Message----- From: moray-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:moray-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Anne Burgess Sent: November 12, 2009 5:54 AM To: Moray@rootsweb.com; Sct-Banffshire@rootsweb.com Subject: [MORAY] OT? - Elgin Local Heritage Centre threatened This is an extract from the 'Northern Scot', dated 6 November 2009. The article is headed 'The Great Savings Plan' and outlines a whole range of cuts intended to reduce Moray Council's expenditure. "Libraries and Museums. Reduce budget by various staff reductions, including the local heritage officer post .... reductions in hours and closures .... increase income generation by local heritage service (£5,500) .... transfer archives .... from Forres Tolbooth .... " The article does not say specifically how the 'reductions in hours and closures' would affect the local heritage centre, but is is hard to see how the centre could function at all, let alone at its present level, without someone in charge of it. And how do they propose to increase income without an officer to do the work? There is a consultation period during which members of the public can respond to the proposals. Responses must be submitted by December 15 and can be emailed (sic) to budget@moray.gov.uk I have written a letter to the Chief Executive, Moray Council, Council Headquarters, Elgin IV30 1BX to express my shock and outrage at, and strong opposition to, this proposal. Anne You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing. (Michael Pritchard) Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never fail to be amused (Joachim Verhagen) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MORAY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.60/2496 - Release Date: 11/11/09 07:40:00

I hope you have also written to the Council  the same as you have written so eloquently here. Regards Karen The Good You Do Comes Back To You. --- On Thu, 12/11/09, Deb & Ken <island@ripnet.com> wrote: From: Deb & Ken <island@ripnet.com> Subject: Re: [MORAY] OT? - Elgin Local Heritage Centre threatened To: "'Anne Burgess'" <anne.burgess@btinternet.com>, moray@rootsweb.com Cc: budget@moray.gov.uk Date: Thursday, 12 November, 2009, 14:44 Anne, Thank you for sending the article on "The Great Savings Plan".   My trip to Scotland and of course my extended stay to the Moray Heritage Centre was postponed this year but still plan to make the visit. I am sure the Moray Council has considered the economic spin off from visitors who come to the region to learn more about their heritage, such as supporting  accommodations, artisans, restaurants & pubs. My wish would be that the council will look at preserving the services that are being offered at present but will also explore how perhaps an investment in expansion of services could be a revenue generator. Libraries and Museums are an investment not an expense. Researching family roots is a growing industry and is set to be even bigger if you look at the demographics of the baby boomers just starting to retire.  This is the ideal time to ensure that the region is ready to accommodate visitors and ensure that their experience will result in repeat visits and referrals. Researching best practices of other worldwide communities where a strategic decision was made to ensure that libraries and museums were accessible and a place of learning for the community and visitors thus preserving a communities' culture would be my goal. Deb Hamilton Canada -----Original Message----- From: moray-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:moray-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Anne Burgess Sent: November 12, 2009 5:54 AM To: Moray@rootsweb.com; Sct-Banffshire@rootsweb.com Subject: [MORAY] OT? - Elgin Local Heritage Centre threatened This is an extract from the 'Northern Scot', dated 6 November 2009. The article is headed 'The Great Savings Plan' and outlines a whole range of cuts intended to reduce Moray Council's expenditure. "Libraries and Museums. Reduce budget by various staff reductions, including the local heritage officer post .... reductions in hours and closures .... increase income generation by local heritage service (£5,500)  .... transfer archives .... from Forres Tolbooth .... " The article does not say specifically how the 'reductions in hours and closures' would affect the local heritage centre, but is is hard to see how the centre could function at all, let alone at its present level, without someone in charge of it. And how do they propose to increase income without an officer to do the work? There is a consultation period during which members of the public can respond to the proposals. Responses must be submitted by December 15 and can be emailed (sic) to budget@moray.gov.uk I have written a letter to the Chief Executive, Moray Council, Council Headquarters, Elgin IV30 1BX to express my shock and outrage at, and strong opposition to, this proposal. Anne You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing. (Michael Pritchard) Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never fail to be amused (Joachim Verhagen) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MORAY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.60/2496 - Release Date: 11/11/09 07:40:00 ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MORAY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message