Museum Chief's Dedication at Issue; Critics Say He Hasn't Given Job, Crisis Sufficient Attention

Summary

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Milwaukee Public Museum President Michael Stafford left for a 10- day scuba-diving vacation on a remote Caribbean island April 25 while the institution's financial crisis deepened, massive layoffs loomed and consultants scrutinized its books.

Even after initial media reports surfaced of staggering deficits that threaten to blow up the museum's pending and badly needed financial-aid package with Milwaukee County, Stafford remained on the world-class diving destination of Bonaire off the Venezuelan coast.

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Museum Chief's Dedication at Issue; Critics Say He Hasn't Given Job, Crisis Sufficient Attention

And for Stafford's first seven months as president, into the summer of 2004, he was allowed to work a four-day schedule in Milwaukee, stay in a $1,500-a-month Prospect Ave. apartment and fly home to Michigan at museum expense. He flew in Monday or Tuesday and left on Thursday or Friday. He has since purchased a home in Mequon.

Stafford was hired chiefly for his fund-raising skills and is paid $185,000 a year. Shortly after his arrival...

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