I checked this out today with MPL management and was told, first, CLIC money is bricks and mortar money. It does not cover operating expenses. The library was also advised, before the referendum, to lower the amount they had decided to ask for ($148million) to $140 to make it more palatable to the voters (I don't think this was especially good advice.). They were assured that the $8 to complete all the changes to the branches would be forthcoming. CLIC, when this issue was discussed with them, said that the library should spend the referendum money first and then come to them for the additional $8 million. David Brauer wrote: > When I asked staff where they hoped > to get the money they said raise taxes or cut services (in the brand new > libraries). This is typical, if true, and really bums me out. It shows a decided lack of creativity on the part of whomever said it. It is possible to have a grants office and now's the time to talk about that and get it started. We already have library staff who are very good at this. > 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? Referendum money is all bricks and mortar. By law, I think, the library could not divert referendum money, so that "solution" would not be able to happen. > What measures would you support to close the $1.6 > million annual operating deficit Bob identifies? Would you close libraries? Never close libraries during a huge influx of immigrants and never during an economic downturn when libraries always see great increases in patronage. > Ask for a new referendum? The voters would be rightfully honked off were this to be a solution. I don't believe they would go for this at all. > Level with voters that there may have been a > bait-and-switch? I don't think it's a bait and switch, but I do think it's always advisable to level with the voters. No one can make decisions without having the information to make a good decision. > I hope this answers your questions. Wizard Marks, Candidate for Library Board > > > 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 _______________________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
