Local: Sandberg quits as library liaison
I expected this. And it’s not the end of the story.
From a press release:
Mayor Jim Ardis has appointed Council Member Bill Spears to fill the position of Liaison to the Peoria Public Library Board.
Mayor Ardis said, “Moving quickly to appoint a liaison after Councilman Sandberg’s resignation stresses the importance the Council places on having a liaison in place as the conduit to work with the Board, and achieve a consensus that will enhance the library system.”
Spears is among the five council members opposed to passage of the $35 million construction and renovation project for the library that 72 percent of voters approved inb a non-binding referendum.
The council on Tuesday deferred the matter until its second June meeting, and told the public that council members would submit questions to the board in writing by Friday. Sandberg told me after the meeting that he expected the questions to be the same they’ve been asking in recent weeks and which have already been answered.
I expect there to be more news soon about the underlying reason why some on the council oppose this project. and it has nothing to do with being concerned about taxes.
It’s all about location, location, location.
UPDATE: C.J. Summers notes that council members essentially kept him out of the loop as they bombarded library board members and the director with questions and demands directly, bypassing their “liaison.”
May 29th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Is this kind of a no-confidence vote in Sandberg, or is it a case of “If I can’t play, I’m taking my ball and go home.”
May 29th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Sandberg’s work as liaison was so outstanding, even the Journal Star — never friendly to the man — took notice. He worked hand-in-hand with the board and the director to make sure all due diligence was performed. He did the work without the grandstanding he is often accused of doing.
Instead of being a cheerleader for the library, he rolled up his sleeves and did the hard work necessary to do the public’s business in an honest and above-board manner. The voters wanted this done, and he made sure it was done right.
The problem is that the council just isn’t interested in the merits of the work that has been done. The council members who are opposed either have a yet undisclosed agenda (essentially hijacking the issue) or simply don’t want to have to run for re-election having voted in favor of a tax increase.
Naturally, these council members are furious with Sandberg because he won’t play along with these games any more than he would with Dave Ransburg, Marcella Teplitz and Gale Thetford.
Don’t worry folks, the feces will hit the fan soon.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Well stated, Billy. That’s exactly what’s going on, I’m sad to say.
May 29th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Maybe so, but why would he resign from the board-he can do more good on it trying to influence the council because he sure can’t vote on the issue now because of a conflict of interest or at the very least an appearance of impropriety. And you are right, he did do a ton of work as laison.
May 29th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
In discussing this with a councilmember I believe this has everything to do with taxes, amount and use. Let them get their answers and see where this thing goes.