As I read the Daily Post article on 17/12/2018, I found myself “musing” over the Museum matters.

To muse is to consider something thoughtfully. Whist it was a “phenomenal gift” of $10 million donated by the Rotorua Trust, I was dismayed by the next paragraph, stating the latest costings had increased from $30 million to between $40 million to $47 million (a phenomenal increase of 56.67%).

Am I wrong to look a “gift horse” in the mouth?

$15 million will be debt on the Long Term Plan, costing the ratepayers $600,000 in interest per annum.

The Council is looking to government and other funding agencies to help with the remaining $20 million to $25 million. Yet, the Council has still not been forthcoming and revealed to the ratepayers how much of the repair cost, will be covered under the Museum’s insurance policy. They’ve informed us that strengthening work is not covered under the policy, but surely sudden damage from an earthquake is, otherwise why insure the Museum at all?

Council claims it is transparent with its affairs, however with the insurance cover up, I wonder if others are left “not amused”.

Tracey McLeod