Could David Wood Learn from Ken Landon?

The City of San Angelo's treatment of Railway Museum President and founder David Wood made me wonder what strategic moves remain for Wood and the Railway Museum.  Several years ago waterlily expert Ken Landon considered taking his considerable private collection of water lilies out of San Angelo.

Locals worked a deal to create a private organization for the lilies which the city actively supports. The proposed 2017-18 operating budget has over $100,000 for water lily garden operation.  Also, the city's website has numerous references to the waterlily garden.  One states:

One of the jewels of the Central neighborhood is the world-famous International Waterlily Collection, owned and operated through a contract by the City of San Angelo.

The City posted plans on its website for upgrading the Sunken Garden Park area:

The Waterlily website states the following about the legendary Ken Landon:

Ken has been growing, perfecting propagating techniques and hybridizing some of the most amazing waterlilies the world has seen.

He is the founder of the IWC (International Waterlily Collection) and the IWPR (International Waterlily Preservation Repository).

A nonprofit search on Guidestar failed to find a 990 for either of Ken's organizations.  A search of the Texas Comptroller site produced information on the second organization, the International Waterlily Preservation Repository.

The report showed its franchise tax involuntarily ended and someone in that organization would need to request the right to conduct business in the state of Texas.  How does this compare with the city's stance on the Railway Museum? 

The decision to let the lease lapse on Sept. 15 was based upon both those concerns and the museum’s failure to maintain its legal sufficiency.

Both David Wood and Ken Landon are passionate enthusiasts in their respective areas.  Both commit-ted significant personal time and resources to developing and sharing their specialties with area citizens.  I imagine both men would rather focus their time on their passion, not on the details of running an organization.

Ken got the city to support him, as I recall by threatening to leave.  People in the community helped expand his operation and are currently developing plans for a secure lily garden area.

Nonprofits cycle through functional and dysfunctional times. They deserve to deal with challenges privately and outside the public view.  That did not happen with the Railway Museum board, partly due to the pressure of eviction from city property.

David got the city's ire to the point it simply refused to do business with him.  Reports from San Angelo Live revealed significant conflict within the organization, at the board and paid leadership level.  Healing from such levels of conflict does not occur quickly.

The City of San Angelo debased museum leadership in a press release.  City Council members would not speak but the City Attorney hinted at problems with Mr. Wood at the September 5th City Council meeting.   In public comment Wood expressed surprise at the inconsistency of City Manager Daniel Valenzuela and promised a vigorous campaign.  That's all the public heard from him prior to his resignation as Railway Museum Board President.

David Wood no longer heads a nonproft but he retains his passion for everything railroad and his significant collection of historical items.   Surely a community in West Texas has a historical depot building he can help fill.

Ken Landon survived numerous dark days with little official city support for his waterlily passion.   Might David Wood recover from the city switching signals and ensuring a Railway Museum train wreck?

Update 9-23-17:  It's time for Lilyfest, the 12th annual event celebrating San Angelo's unique international water lily collection. 

Update 3-27-18:   It turns out the water lily project has a bit of turmoil as well.