According to Carlos Avila's report in this morning's Trentonian, Mayor Tony Mack continues to blame the board of trustees of the Trenton Free Public Library for the branch closings two years ago.
“I have been working diligently to reopen all four of these buildings since the Trenton Free Public Library Board decided to close them in August of 2010,” he said.
That is his side of the story. And it is just plain wrong.
In a letter dated September 13, 2010, TFPL Trustee Virginia Dietrich writes:
"The over $1M reduction to this year's budget has had a devastating effect on our ability to provide neighborhood services. Your generous offer of an additional $350,000 funding would be a welcome addition to the $2.1M allocation the City has already committed for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Unfortunately, it is not enough to cover the cost of your proposed plan for a 3-7 pm 5 day per week schedule at all four Branch locations. As we detailed in the budget sent to your office on August 20, 2010, the Library would need an additional $845,952 for a total allocation of $2,945,962 to implement your plan."There it is, ladies and gentlemen, in plain English.
"Unfortunately, it is not enough to cover the cost of your proposed plan for a 3-7 pm 5 day per week schedule at all four Branch locations."The question that needs to be asked by citizens, taxpayers, the governing body and the mayor's own administration is simply this:
If you cannot afford to fund the TFPL to provide the hours and services you want, how can you find the money (according to this report in the Times, now up to $75,000 per "learning center" per year from the $30,000 stated on April 30) to operate this parallel system of ersatz libraries?
Tell the truth, Mayor Mack.
7 comments:
The truth? Never! Mack is a chronic liar with constituents who (mostly) believe him. If it wasn't for bloggers in Trenton, NO ONE would know the truth!
Mack would not know the Truth if you slapped him in the face with it.
To Mack and his cronies...and many Trentonians, the Truth = Lies. There is no distinction. They are one and the same, interchangeable. And the State, County and some on council seem to be afflicted this same sickenss...truthaphobia. As long as it is allowed to continue, it will continue. Fresh liberries anyone??
I think if he really cared about opening the old branch libraries that were closed in 2010, he would have immediately increased the funding to the Library when he came into office. There was no reason he couldn't have done that instead of waiting and then funding them with his own agenda.
We tend to agree. The branches were closed because Mayor Mack wouldn't increase the TFPL funding to the level required to keep them open on a limited basis.
Now, he claims to be opening them
a) because the Trustees refused to, which as has been shown, is a lie.
b) he claims these "Learning Centers" aren't libraries yet he discusses plans to lend books, offer computer services, etc.
So, again, we pose the question...if that is the goal and you can find funding to staff and operate as a "library" why not apply that money to the real, recognized and already operating library as required by the law?
Why is Annette Njie (Hayes) still sitting on the Board of Trustees for the Trenton Free Public Library and now is trying to get her name on a Bank Account associated with these funds. Has anyone checked her background for embezzlement of possible funds, since she still owes the City of Trenton New Jersey funds associated with the Failed Trenton International Jazz and Blues Festival. Better watch out!! Missing Funds???????????????
Why is Annette Njie (Hayes) still sitting on the Board of Trustees for the Trenton Free Public Library and now is trying to get her name on a Bank Account associated with these funds. Has anyone checked her background for embezzlement of possible funds, since she still owes the City of Trenton New Jersey funds associated with the Failed Trenton International Jazz and Blues Festival. Better watch out!! Missing Funds???????????????
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