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Citizen Critical of East Baton Rouge Library Board of Control Budget Decisions

Jun 13

Written by: Harvey
2010-06-13 11:01:22Z 

In response to the actions of the Library Board of Control, as reported in the article linked above, Charles Grimmer has submitted the following letter to the editor at The Advocate:

Several years back when Lydia Acosta was director of the EBR Library, there was a big push to build a new library downtown.  After much input from the public, this idea was defeated in favor of locating the new library near the existing main library.  Common sense prevailed because of public input.  But proponents of a new downtown library never gave up.  Every effort has been made to have public funds expended for development of the downtown area.  Our mayor’s proposals were voted down twice by the voting public.  Now there is another backdoor effort to develop this land with other government support plus private funds.  A new or renovated downtown library would be another step in achieving what those in favor of downtown development hope to achieve.  Politics play a big role in this effort.  Our metro council votes to appoint members to the Library Board of Control who are obvious choices of the downtown development group.  Most of those most recent appointees had never ever attended a Library Board of Control meeting before being appointed.  Unfortunately, few of our citizens attend either.  The few who do try to bring some balance to the decisions made by the Library Board of Control, but this board is so stacked that it is almost impossible to be recognized or heard.  The June 10th meeting on budget items for the downtown library is a case in point.  If you, the voting public of EBR Parish, were aware of how our tax money is being spent, perhaps some of you would also take an interest in what your metro council and library board are doing.  A public that is apathetic can only blame themselves for the government we get from those we elect.  “We the people” need to stand up and be heard.  I look forward to seeing you at the next library board meeting.  3rd Thursday of each month - 4pm Main Library, Goodwood Blvd. 
 
Charles Grimmer
Retired Maintenance Supervisor

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