Money is probably the major hangup. Could the library building serve as a museum if a new one was constructed? To be clear -- that is not a fact of a where it might go, just a question.

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

Money is indeed the major hang-up. A donation of space (which equals money to a building owner) is needed for a food shelf. Money is needed to spur Downtown redevelopment. Money is needed to draw new businesses - and not just Downtown.

Great ideas are like navels - everyone's got one. Money and effort are much harder to come by. If someone asks me for a donation to a food shelf, and someone else asks for a donation to a museum, which should I give to?

Should some generous soul actually step forward and offer to fund a museum, I think one of the empty or junk filled buildings on Water, Broadway or First would be a better choice than the building that houses the current library. Jordan's a small town, and it has a tightly defined history. Spreading exhibits through too much space is usually not a good display tactic - as any retailer knows.

I think the big question here is, how much time, effort and money are people willing to donate to a museum? I'm guessing the answer is, not enough to make it happen.

Elkes4, thanks for a very thoughtful post.

Now, assuming money is no issue, who's gonna do the work? People do like - love, really, to share their history. But who will lock and unlock the museum door? Who will tend the exhibits? Who will clean the floor, and restock the toiletpaper? Who will give up his or her holidays so that visitors can see Jordan's history? Who will record all the stories people want to tell? Who will make the labels?

Mind you, I'm not opposed to a museum. I simply wonder who will carry the burden of running it?

A couple of weeks ago, a fellow at a ballgame was telling the people in the Concessions Stand that they could make thousands of dollars by selling grilled cheese sandwiches, soup, and salads. The (volunteer) concessionaires were scurrying around trying to satisfy customers who wanted pop and candy. When I asked the fellow if he was willing to make the sandwiches, soup and salad, he said no. When I asked who he thought would do it, he said "volunteers". Do I need to point out the disconnect between his words, and his actions?

Elkes4, if a Jordan museum is a cause you champion, it would be a worthwhile addition to the town. Maybe you should start rounding up like-minded people who are willing to make it happen.

By the way, anybody living under a bridge and fishing in Sand Creek probably WOULD starve. Even the cranes seem to have given up on getting lunch there.

I guess your right… I should just shut up and forget any plans on making this town worth living in or expanding on ideas that I find interesting. We can all stand in line at the food shelf and wait for handouts. What the heck, there are some little birdies that will do all of the work since nobody would work at the Museum they are the same nobody’s who won’t be working at the food shelf.

I was never intending this to be a competition between a food shelf and a museum, but now that Pandora’s Box is open…

Take a look at all of the towns with food shelves and the areas involved. Yeah, let’s just turn this town into a ghetto since we are all just lazy anyhow and have no diverse nature.

I do know there was no food shelf here before and yet the citizens who are quite caring still know how to not let anyone die of hunger. There is also a thing like giving something a chance and hearing it out before you jump to judgment.

If you actually read what is written, instead of just jumping on the kill any chance of progress bus, you would have noticed that I did not insult any of your food shelf intentions prior to this, yet you turn a simple question on procedure into a self promoting tote of self righteousness against a simple question.

If you would like to promote your food shelf it is quite easy actually…. Start a blog that is aiming at that. Just so you know, the same patrons that frequent these places start with good intentions and are most likely desperately in need, but somehow even when free food is placed in some peoples hands have the audacity to complain on how there is not steak when you hand them hamburger.

In case you did not notice, I am not at all for a food shelf here, there are already programs offered by the county and state that are located on Canterbury Road in Shakopee and there are services that can get you there if you are unable if you really need to get some food that bad.

In a side note, I never said anything about a Museum on Jordan History although it would be quite nice to expand on the Idea. Along with the fact that one of Jordan’s residents did donate a load of cars and I believe monies that was intended to fund a library with the intention that the automobiles be displayed. Maybe we should just toss out Virginias wishes and buy some day old hot dog buns to feed our starving masses.

Well Gee Thom...

If I had all of the answers and won the lottery, I would do just that.

I guess this also falls into the blog on childhood dreams as it is something that has interested me and has come up in conversations that I have had with others as well as Ms Virginia. I know this as I had spoken with her a few times in depth, I did not actually know her as well as many others, but found her to be quite interesting. I am sure others could give you more insight into her plans. I think that many of our residents have contributed much to society and we should at least attempt to hear out their wishes and not just keep putting out the last sparks of what was their life’s flame and reason of being.

No one needs a wet blanket or a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. People keep screaming that we need a change, no more of the same old, same old and then what happens? Yes, history repeats itself and guess what, the same old, same old and more people screaming for change.

If you don’t believe me it is quite easy to draw similarities in today’s news.

Obama, a president for a change,
Kennedy, a president for a change.

Obama and the threat of nuclear attack from North Korea,
Kennedy and the threat of nuclear attack from Cuba.

Obama inherits police action from previous presidency,
Kennedy inherits police action from previous presidency.

I can keep going on, but I find this pointless as it would never change the end results. The point is that we as a people seem to never learn from our past and are doomed to repeat our forefathers past mistakes. Also, we far too often step on the dreams of the meek (this may not define me too well, not to point out the obvious) for dreams of those who yell the loudest.