The District Weekly - Latest Comments in “WE’RE LOSING THE PUBLIC TRUST” ON MAIN LIBRARY

Re: “WE’RE LOSING THE PUBLIC TRUST” ON MAIN LIBRARY

Cari Marshall — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:37:57 -0000

I live in the 3rd District and work in the 1st. I’m also a co-founder of the Progressive Dinner Party, which raises money for Long Beach-based charities that impact low-income children and families. With the PDP, I have worked with families and organizations who consistently rely on the Main Library – whether the literacy programs that are based out of Main, or the resources available there, it is an irreplaceable institution for these families, and a branch library WOULD NOT suffice.

After attending most of the city council's budget meetings – and listening to all of the lengthy public comment, including people from all over the city who use Main because they can’t find what they need at the branches, and reading Theo’s very thoughtful coverage of the issue in The District, my opinion is this building should be repaired, kept open, and remain a library. The city has let it fall into disrepair, and now some are trying to justify shutting it down and, presumably, tearing it down (we have to presume, since there is no plan). This building is architecturally notable; it should not be considered disposable! Just think if NYC had let its public library fall apart, then just tore it down! Long Beach has a history of razing buildings, only to put up worse ones (The Pike, CityPlace, etc. etc.). There is no study that says the Library's repairs must happen imminently, and I support Councilmember Bonnie Lowenthal’s idea to put a “library bond” before the voters. Come on Long Beach, show a little pride in your public institutions!

City Councilmembers, please take Main out of this budget process and do your due diligence!!

Cari Marshall

Re: “WE’RE LOSING THE PUBLIC TRUST” ON MAIN LIBRARY

Theo Douglas — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:32:21 -0000

DWR,
Sometimes comments have trouble showing up immediately after you write them--it's just one of the mysteries of the Internet, which doesn't always work as smoothly as we'd like.
You're not alone--it's happened to me, on this very site. I've actually lost whole pieces I was trying to post.
Thanks for writing us, though, and thanks for your perseverance. I believe your comments should be visible by now.

Re: “WE’RE LOSING THE PUBLIC TRUST” ON MAIN LIBRARY

DWR — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:13:05 -0000

why won't my comments regarding this piece post? i've entered them twice...

Re: “WE’RE LOSING THE PUBLIC TRUST” ON MAIN LIBRARY

DWR — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:20:51 -0000

I've said if before and I'll say it again: The Main Library is simple being used as a convenient high-profile pawn in rallying public support for Foster's half-billion-plus-71-million infrastructure bond proposal/parcel tax. Until it is detailed how the hoped-for monies are to be apportioned (including allotments for resolving the decades-old parking shortage in districts 1,2,3 and restoring the remaining Los Cerritos Wetlands) I intend on voting a big fat "NO" to the bond proposal in November...

Re: “WE’RE LOSING THE PUBLIC TRUST” ON MAIN LIBRARY

DWR — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:08:42 -0000

I said it before and I'll say it again: The Main Library is simply being used as a convenient high-profile pawn in rallying public support for Foster's half-billion-plus-71-million dollar infrastructure
bond proposal/parcel tax. Until it is detailed how that those hoped-for monies are to be apportioned (including allotments for resolving the decades-old parking shortage in districts 1,2 and 3, and preserving/restoring the remaining Los Cerritos Wetlands) I will be voting a big fat "NO" on the bond proposal in November.