The Committee to Save Schaberg sent an earlier (mid-March) open letter. That one remains unanswered. We are hoping that our elected officials and city employees or appointees will consent to engage in dialogue with us regarding these funds.
AN OPEN LETTER REGARDING THE SCHABERG LIBRARY BRANCH
FROM: The Committee to Save Schaberg
TO: The Redwood City City Council
- Library Director Dave Genesy
- The Redwood City Library Board
- Library Foundation Director Georgi LaBerge
May 25, 2011
The Committee has learned that retired librarian Chuck Ashton has terminated his contract . We understand he'll be doing his final story times on June 10th. This information has not been released or confirmed publicly. Is this in fact accurate?
If this is the case, most of the bequest money has not been used. We urgently renew our request that the funds be used to fully restore hours at the Schaberg branch and to stock its shelves to the standard maintained at the other branches.
To whom do we address this request, in light of the new situation? Is the money in the Foundation's hands? The Library Board's? The City Council's?
A Schaberg fan, inspired by the blog to contact her local officials got this response from Mayor Ira:
“I have read your email and on behalf of the City Council thank you for expressing your views. The Council will discuss this matter as part of the budget process. You are welcome to provide public comment at the upcoming budget sessions scheduled for:
June 20 and
June 27, 2011
Thank you again for sharing your position.
Sincerely,
Jeff Ira
Mayor, Redwood City”
As noted before, the bequest allocated to pay Chuck Ashton was not part of the city's budget. Please clarify: Is this money now part of the budget? Will you and the council address that issue publicly? We contend the bequest is in the control of the Library Board, as specified in its charter.
Mayor Ira has invited us to speak at Public Comments before, but has rejected our request to slate the issue as an agenda item. The City Council cannot enter into dialogue with supporters of Schaberg in a Public Comments segment. Mayor Ira, will you commit to open discussion of this bequest and the Schaberg situation as part of the budget agenda conversation?
In its dialogue about Cargill, the Council has promised a transparent process. We ask for this in discussions about Schaberg and its survival as well.
Looking forward to your response,
The Committee to Save Schaberg
