Dan Robinson wrote:  "So now we have a band organ (at Ontario Beach
Park) in perfect condition, just overhauled by its original builder.
It will dependably play by MIDI for years to come.  It should never
have to be silenced by mechanical problems again.  And now they say
it is just too loud!

The band organ is too loud for the employees!  Ever heard that one
before?

I can tell you where I've heard that before.  At Ontario Beach Park
-- from the first week they got the organ.

For most of the time that organ was in the carousel, it was not played.
Much of that time it was inoperative due to a poorly designed roll
frame, but most of the rest of the time it was turned off because the
employees either said it was too loud or they didn't like the music.

In fact, I strongly suspect that some of the 'inoperative time' was
a result of the employees handiwork.  Perhaps one person in a thousand
might ask to have the volume turned down, and they have the simple
option of walking away.  In any case, they only have to hear it for
five minutes.

I have made suggestions to a couple of people (now departed) about the
situation in the past but they seemed uninterested.  The same situation
exists at Strong, although I think it really is a loudness problem
there.

The first step in addressing the 'problem' is to find the person who
is really in charge of the carousel.  Only they can implement a change,
so they need to be part of the problem definition.  I would think that
the person who signed the purchase order for the MIDI upgrade would be
close to the right person.

The next step is to find out the _real_ cause/definition of the
'problem'.  A good place to start would be the person who actually has
control of the on/off switch and the person who they work for.  Knowing
that they hire high school kids at the lowest possible wages to run the
carousel, I think the place to start is simply to ask a few of them
what they were told.

Lastly, but most important/difficult, is to seek input from others who
have a legitimate interest in the subject.  I suspect that the County
Parks Department (which runs the carousel) doesn't consider this a
'problem'.  They probably consider it a solution.  The employees have
stopped complaining about the music and damaging the organ.  The few
customers who might ask are told that the organ is too loud so they are
not likely to complain to anyone who cares.  So, other than the wasted
tax dollars, where is there a problem?

Oh yes, in my mind there is a lost opportunity.  And I know of several
obvious solutions that would take advantage of that opportunity.  But
unless the people in charge understand the benefit of those
opportunities, nothing will change.

Robbie said it concisely: "What does the management of Ontario Beach
Park really want?"

Regards,
Craig Smith
Rochester, NY