Nothing new....

Not much new in Golden. People have always complained the CRRM
should focus on one thing or another depending on their personal
interests.

Bob Richardson was pretty secretive about museum decisions for
equipment moves to the property. I believe he must have thought it
best for everyone involved and it certainly prevented hijacking of the
process by anyone else.

While you may have valid points about the museum stuck between
steps 3 to 6, this is not much different than any other organization
that operates as either a private enterprise or non-profit. I would think
IF the CRRM had enough revenue or donations this current churn
would not be necessary and the museum would now, or soon, have
extensive land for display while all things are restored or maintained
to a higher standard.

Trying to expand revenue usually does increase internal costs as you
state. The process of growth is not a linear one but usually very
incremental unless there is excess capacity of things that can provide
it. The 346 (or another) just sitting idle or an existing under utilized
building are examples.

Without being present at the meetings that decide current CRRM
operations or being directly involved as a board member it is difficult
to imagine the factors leading to a decision. I really don't think a
donation or purchased membership provides automatic rights for
transparency or a vote to influence management decisions unless
that is part of an organizations stated plan regardless of their profit
or non-profit status.

My $.02