I spent a lot of time walking this weekend. it's what i do to clear my head. got as far north as dowling av and the freeway up in mckinley on sunday before the rains came. thinking about the library referendum. i already voted against it by absentee ballot as on election day i'll be a judge in another ward and precinct. i think the timing is wrong and the plan too vague to make an informed judgement. Excuse me if I don't want to pony up $140 million on the basis of artists renditions in a newspaper of a building that might not even turn out to look like what we finally get. beyond that i don't like a public relations effort that holds out to the public the threat that we need to decide now because we might have a catastrophic fire that could destroy our unsprinklered library. has anyone in the library administation ever heard of a night watchman? when i was growing up and before they were all the rage. if i weren't running for mayor, i might apply when my unemployment insurance runs out. one reason for its being on the ballot this year is to insure a good turnout we are told. i'm just cynical enough to suggest another reason (a political calculation) to have it on the ballot this year is to not have it as a topic during municipal elections when it should be considered and because, since everyone is more focused on presidential elections, it might slip under the radar. I would suggest the library hire watchmen. how about off-duty canine officers from the police force whose dogs might be able to smell smoke as well and we all vote NO and come up with a real plan we can all sign onto next year. just a thought Tim Connolly Ward 7 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. All in one Place. http://shopping.yahoo.com/
