The number one question that I get
every day is, "Where's the money coming from?" Lest anybody think that
I'm the younger, ugly brother of Donald Trump, I want to assure you
that I am not planning to write a big check. There are, however, a
variety of bona fide angles that I think we can pursue.
I see the need for a museum
organization as a NUMERO UNO priority. This organization should have
three primary functions:
A. Oversee the restoration of
Number Ten.
B. Increase Community awareness
of trolley and rail issues.
C. Seek out financing
As soon as the organization is
formed we should proceed to:
Acquire Number Ten from Marshall
Johnson with the firm understanding that if we don't acquire sufficient
funds to rebuild this trolley, we will seek out the best possible
trolley home for her, and arrange to send her along with whatever funds
we have raised.
Start up a museum "Trolley Shop" at
P.O. Box 272 with the idea of attracting donations and sales of items
to tourist. Regardless of Number Ten's rebuild situation, the trolley
museum should continue as a community and tourist asset - possibly
along the lines of a Children's Museum with a trolley/rail motif.
Actively solicit funds,
memorabilia, volunteer man hours, and interest in the Shelbourne
Falls/Pioneer Valley area both in terms of civilians and rail/trolley
fans.
Market the "trolley fever" through
civilian and rail/trolley fan media.
Actively market to big area
business, i.e. Coca Cola, Phoenix Insurance, Monsanto, United Savings
Bank, Baybanks, etc.
Working on the operational thesis,
pursue local electric utilities about involvement in a hydro powered
trolley operation. Look to support from a variety of land use,
environmental, and other earth energy conservation groups as active
partners.
I envision the trolley project as a
means of focusing public attention on the ability of hydro powered
transportation systems, i.e. trolleys, as a means for communities to
obtain auxiliary transportation services with a minimum of
environmental and land use problems. The potentials for studies
involving science, economics, history and a host of related issues
further offers the community potential access to federal and state
funding for involvement from the schools. Trolley projects of this
nature can have significant positive impact on attracting outside
tourist dollars to the local economy. Through encouraging maximum
interface with the community, we can enhance the quality of life as
well.
