I do agree with Dave Haibach that corporations that run amusement parks
are only interested in the bottom line rather than to maintain their
organs.  On the contrary, many of the smaller family and/or privately
owned parks are much better about maintaining their organs.

If any park wants to have a future, they must start their patrons
right.  A six-year-old might be awestruck by a carousel organ that is
playing well, and if that organ is maintained they will likely keep
coming back again and again.

Many of the mega-parks just want to build the tallest roller coaster,
the biggest log flume, etc., just to make a statement.  A well-known
park in Ohio has the longest wooden roller coaster, but the band organ
on the carousel remains silent, from what I gather.

This park is owned by a corporation that is apparently not interested
in maintaining the band organ on the carousel, and it doesn't have to
be that way.  Perhaps a campaign can be started by an organization to
save these organs by encouraging people to contribute.

Let's say for example that $10,000 is needed to restore the organ on
the carousel in the park in Ohio.  A fund can be set up for people to
contribute and once enough money is raised, the organ can be restored.
Then the fund should provide for the needed maintenance and repair
that the organ will require to keep it in good playing condition.

This could be done for many organs that do need repair.  A good example
in my area is the Flushing-Meadows Corona Park carousel.  The once
spectacular 80-key Gebrüder Bruder organ has not played in a number of
years.  A fund could be set up dedicated to restoring this once great
organ.  Once restored, this organ can be enjoyed by many people for
many years to come provided that it is maintained properly.

Jeff Alterman