crofter Posted October 13, 2008 Report Share Posted October 13, 2008 Dr Wills himself is a master of the "comedy name". Was it the New Shetlander which used to publish his hilarious ramblings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlander Posted October 14, 2008 Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 ^^ On the topic of Jonathan Willies, is his attempt to have an external audit of the SIC's spending in certain areas just an attempt to again try and foil Mareel? Normally, I would pat him on the back for it, but I'm wary of his intentions now. I too admire Jonathan Wills ability to say it like it is and his (and others) determination to apply common sense when it comes to saving money gives me at least a glimmer of hope that this Council can achieve some success on that front where others have failed. He does however have a tendency to spit the dummy when things don't go his way and I can't help but think that his complaint to the Audit Commission is somewhat ironic. However unlikely it is now looking like succeeding, his campaign to have the AHS built on another site for example would render the millions which have already been spent on looking at the Knab a complete waste of money and incur further delays and expensive design work associated with examining alternatives. Back on topic, I would doubt that the Audit Commission complaint would have any impact on Mareel given the advanced stage the project is now at. Not being in favour of the project, I share some of the concerns above both in terms of the principle of it being funded by the public purse and the money that has been spent procrastinating over it for years. But I don't see the point in recycling the last 64 pages worth of debate given that a diplomatic decision has now been made and the tender has been awarded, at least until the time comes (if indeed it does) when Shetland Arts has to come begging cap in hand for Mareel's running costs to be baled out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marlin13 Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 For people such as myself who were not enthusiastic supporters of the mareel project, the dice have been cast and we can only hope that it does not go over budget on construction on running costs.The problem is it is likely to do both, what especially worries me is the number of musicians I have spoken to who are not supportive either.It will give me no pleasure at all to say "I told you so". Here are a couple of predictions which time will either validate or prove false.i have no doubt things will not happen exactly like that but I regretably believe it will be along those lines. Mareel building costs go over budget - Shetland Arts come cap in hand to either the council or the development trust and after much wrangling are given the extra to complete the project. Mareel finally opens - After a few initial well attended events, attendance drops of and it quickly becomes apparent that revenue predictions were nonsense. Approaches to the Council/development trusts etc for more revenue funding are refused. Shetland Arts are told to support it from within their own budgets. This causes huge problems within the agency and lots of other service and jobs have to be cut to fund Mareel. After a few years Shetland atrs shuts the doors and only opens maeel occasionally for big events, as its unable to support mareel full time any longer. I do hope i'm proved wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOYAANISQATSI Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 I do hope i'm proved wrong. High hopes indeed then. Might as well start the "Mareel bail out" thread now cause it's more than likely that's exactly where this is heading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oddtablet Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 Is it just me or has it all gone very quiet ?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOYAANISQATSI Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 If it works, good luck to it but if it go's moomins skywards through the running costs then tough titty, don't come knocking for handouts. There may never be an ideal time for it but this sure aint it. If you feel the need to stay quiet for lack of a reasonable response then feel free but a sing along troll is as much as I'll hold out for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caeser Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 Is it just me or has it all gone very quiet ?! Think you may find the tender price is very high, and moves are afoot to offset this by reducing the outrageous specification (goat hair carpets et al) to get the ill fated project off the ground. Maybe white elephant skins would be cheaper that goat hair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenman Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 still cant understand why they are going to build it in a site that floods each time we have a high tide and northerly gale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAStewart Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 Is it just me or has it all gone very quiet ?! Think you may find the tender price is very high, and moves are afoot to offset this by reducing the outrageous specification (goat hair carpets et al) to get the ill fated project off the ground. Maybe white elephant skins would be cheaper that goat hair Why does everyone think that Mareel will be a gold-sink, velvet carpet, computer-screen wall high-tech fancy building? When has this ever been suggested?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassermaet Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 ^^^Good point JAS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 ^^ÃŽt is most likely because that is the way that the SIC has always done things, completely OTT.However, having wasted a lot of time thinking about this, I don't think that is the truth in this case. When it comes to music quality, if it isn't right to begin with then it's a disaster and the money has been wasted. If the place must be built, it must be built right.Of course, JAS this doesn't mean I'll agree with you on everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 PS @ JAStewart Dammit,, I've just found out that I have the "Presidents of the USA" on a CD singing one of Willie Nelson's songs, and they're good... Not as good as Willie, but they sing the butt of the song..So maybe agreed with you twice in one day..... Rare event.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caeser Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 Is it just me or has it all gone very quiet ?! Think you may find the tender price is very high, and moves are afoot to offset this by reducing the outrageous specification (goat hair carpets et al) to get the ill fated project off the ground. Maybe white elephant skins would be cheaper that goat hair Why does everyone think that Mareel will be a gold-sink, velvet carpet, computer-screen wall high-tech fancy building? When has this ever been suggested?! Think you will find that the specification for the project is completely over the top. As I said - goats hair carpet is just one of the requests for the tenderers to price. Not good old GS Flooring or Home furnishing stuff which seems to be OK for everyone else! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twerto Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 goats hair?? i asked for lama wool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAStewart Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 PS @ JAStewart Dammit,, I've just found out that I have the "Presidents of the USA" on a CD singing one of Willie Nelson's songs, and they're good... Not as good as Willie, but they sing the butt of the song..So maybe agreed with you twice in one day..... Rare event.. Twisted Willie yeah.. good compliation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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