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Dear Mr. Rogers:

I recently spent a lovely afternoon at the MFA with my 5 year old grandson. My grandson's stamina was amazing, as we visited almost all of the galleries and exhibits within a 4 hour period. My husband and I are members, and we visit often.

During our viewing of the European art collection, it occurred to me that I had not come across any paintings by Goya, one of my favorite artist. I attended the blockbuster exhibit of Goya at the MFA several years ago and enjoyed it immensely. I asked a museum guard standing close by, and he directed me to one of Goya's paintings that was displayed nearby. I was impressed with his knowledge and courteous manner. I have always viewed the guards as the first-line representatives of this wonderful institution.

Now, upon leaving the museum, I noticed a banner that read "Malcolm Rogers makes over $500,000 a year." "Why is he taking money away from his low wage workers?" I found this sign to be very disturbing, especially when my grandson asked, "Nana, what does that sign say?" I took a leaflet that was handed to me and went home to do some investigating on their website and became even more disturbed about what I read.

I also worked for a "non-profit" institution--the Museum of Science-- under the tutelage of Dr. Roger Nichols; he ran a first-class institution with fairness to his employees. As you know, we had blockbuster exhibits--such as "The China exhibit, the Dinosaur exhibit and Ramses II, just to name a few. The success of these exhibits were a concerted effort under the leadership of Dr. Nichols; he was loved and respected by his staff. During his tenure, he successfully saw the completion of the Mugar Omni Theater all without any reduction of his staff. In fact there was a substantial increase.

I will sum up how I feel about the guard's angst about having their benefits, wages and health benefits cut, while the MFA proceeds with a $425 million building expansion, and I quote--"We are dismayed that the MFA is acting like a draconian corporation rather than a cultural institution dedicated to higher principles."

Mr. Rogers, I trust that you will do the right thing and reconsider your harmful proposals regarding your museum guards. Again, they are the vanguard of the positive image with whom a visitor will walk away while visiting one of Boston's finest cultural institutions.

Sincerely,

Beverly Cormier Ritz

Boston, MA