Local: Some library linkage
Some of these links are kinda old, but I imagine they might be relevant to tonight’s meeting of the Peoria City Council.
The Journal Star seems to be interested in getting a new library district going. Right now, the Library Board is appointed by the city council, which also has final say on the taxes that go toward the library. Interestingly, I hear that Patrick Nichting — who was among those villified by the Journal Star for being insufficiently subservient when questioning the library board that the council itself appoints — agrees that there ought to be a politically separate library district. But that won’t happen. If the Library Board members themselves were subject to re-election, they wouldn’t be all so-eager to toss $35 million into what is essentially a plan to build new book repositories.
Mike McKenzie is saying a last-minute compromise is possible. I really doubt the council is going to blink, so it must be the board. There are Q & As with McKenzie and Mayor Jim Ardis (in what may be the the PJS’s first interview EVER with someone not utterly and completely in favor with the $35 million renovation/construction project).
And in what is certain to NOT be the last idiotic editorial from the Journal Star on this issue, some anonymous person warns council member Ryan Spain that he better not vote against the library plans. Why? Because the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center (where Ryan works) is underutilized, and it wouldn’t be fair or consistent for him to demand that the new libraries won’t also be underutilized.
You know, it’s not just that the award-winning (snicker) editorial board is clueless, is that they don’t have any idea how clueless they are.
June 24th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I don’t think the Journal Star has taken a position on establishing a library district, have they? Or is reporting on a proposal tantamount to endorsing it now?
And since when has insistence on fairness and consistency from council members been considered idiotic?
June 24th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Now that the compromise has been made, savng taxpayers seven MILLION dollars, perhaps the Journal Star can apologize to the council members they villified for asking questions. Fat chance! nice going council!
June 24th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
If I go to a resturant and order a burger and fries and they serve me saltines and water, but only charge me a buck I don’t consider that saving $8. I am pissed off that they are asking for a $1 and still hungry for that burger and fries.
June 25th, 2008 at 1:23 am
Well spoken BeanCounter. I concur.