County may shutter 42 libraries, lay off 260 employees - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com
This is as predictable as when the as when the Swallows Come Back to
Capistrano, it is tax time, so it is time to threaten what people are willing to pay more to preserve. It seems like just yesterday, but check out my prior, Sat, July 16, 2011, post: What library branches are at risk for closure under the current proposed budget for Miami-Dade County?or the Thurs, July 14, 2011, post on tough budget choices regarding the Libraries. Are we living in 2013 or is it 2011? Where are those tax/budget reforms?
This is indisputable evidence that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Nothing has changed, only the players. Where was the reform? It is beginning to appear as if those elected in 2010 merely claimed victory by pushing off the hard decisions back rather than actually succeeding in meaningful reform.
Here is the threat: The Miami Herald reports that Library Director Raymond Santiago is expected to meet with Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez Sunday to discuss a proposal to close almost all of the public libraries.
The new scenario alleged, or threatened, is to close 42 libraries and lay off 260 full-time employees,” which is being reported by the Miami Herald. Maybe, just maybe, it is time to take a stand and keep these important employees and make top mangers, and the numerous department heads make the case for their continued existence in this tax time replay of the big scare. Why jump right into this type of threat? Budget time is of no surprise, why is this not an ongoing analysis?
Under the proposed plan, according to email, only seven county libraries would remain open: Main library, Miami Beach, North Dade Regional, West Dade Regional, South Dade Regional, Northeast Branch (under construction) and Coral Gables.
Will Palmetto Bay's own officials fight for Palmetto Bay's neighborhood library? You can bet Mayor Cindy Lerner and the Pinecrest Council will be fighting for the Pinecrest Library. Palmetto Bay officials, including Mayor Stanczyk, had plenty of fireworks in fighting each other Thursday night (7/11/13), but again, nothing but crickets was heard on either the fire station (that Mrs. Stanczyk slept on for over 2 1/2 years) or this alleged current library funding crisis. It is obvious that our mayor and council have no advance intel on anything at County Hall that may profoundly affect Palmetto Bay.
News flash to Mayor Shelley Stanczyk: Closing our library or further reduction in the hours and/or programing will adversely affect the quality of life in our community.
Click the link at the beginning of this post or CLICK HERE to read the entire Miami Herald article.
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