Re: Bob Gustafson's post about the CLIC-related shortfalls in the Library board's operating budget...as a DFL delegate who has to make some choices tomorrow, I'd like to know what Library Board candidates on this list would do about this situation. Bob has been very diligent about informing us of this problem, and quite thorough in documenting it. Bob alleges: "the library knew they did not have the operating money to run the new buildings they were asking the citizens of Minneapolis to build. Library Board members and staff say that in a meeting at the Mayor's office the Mayor told them to get the referendum approved first and they would worry about the operating money later. When I asked staff where they hoped to get the money they said raise taxes or cut services (in the brand new libraries). The Library Board went along with the Mayor's request but were surprised when their capital budget was cut after the referendum was passed. This would mean they would be facing capital as well as operating shortfalls." If true - and I'm opening to arguments that it isn't - new library directors will have to deal with the mess. Will you allow diversion of referendum funds to operating costs? What measures would you support to close the $1.6 million annual operating deficit Bob identifies? Would you close libraries? Ask for a new referendum? Level with voters that there may have been a bait-and-switch? Again, I'm open to challenges on Bob's basic premise. But we voters/citizens need some answers to the situation he describes - from present and future leaders. David Brauer King Field - Ward 10 _______________________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
