I am sure the consultants who facilitated the meeting will have accurately recorded the comments and input that the Town received at this afternoon’s meeting. I am equally sure that the depth of emotion and passion behind the comments will be lost in the record. From the veteran who attended the opening of the library in 1974 to the teacher whose class uses it today, from the senior who recalled that the library was built in memory of the long since disappeared Bruce Street School to the person who accused the Town Planners of turning Milton into a donut there was universal agreement that a library was needed.
Emotions were running high and it was not the time to introduce some thoughts on finances. The consultants presented the costs of refurbishing the property and the annual costs of maintaining the library but no one wanted to hear it. Suggestions ranged from closing the new Beaty Branch Library and allowing Hawthorne Village residents to drive to the new Milton Arts Centre to delaying the branch libraries planned for Sherwood and Boyne, Downtown residents feel that they paid for the establishment of the Bruce Street Library and therefore it was theirs to keep.
It is clear that the new Town Council will have to find a way to keep some type of Library service at the Bruce Street Library if only to fulfill the campaign commitment each and every member of the new Council made to all those who attended the All Candidates meeting held, ironically, at the same venue as today’s meeting – the Seniors Activity Centre!
Perhaps Council, Town staff and the Consultants should indulge in a little “out of the box” thinking on this. Perhaps they could look at the possibility of leasing the premises to another organization with the proviso that as part of the rent the new tenant would be obligated to provide a library service. Perhaps they could even consider some form of sale and leaseback where the Town realizes the $3 million value of the property and leases a small portion to continue offering library services. How about what I will call the St Paul’s option where the Town calls for proposals to buy and develop the property; such development to include space dedicated to the Town for a library?
I heard the same proposal from someone else this afternoon. I resisted the idea at first just because it would involve shutting the place down for an extended period, but I must say the idea is growing on me.
I heard a very similar idea from someone who attended the 3pm meeting about having the land re-developed with the new development having space on the main floor dedicated for a library service. I’m guessing we may have been talking to the same person Jennifer. A certain someone we mutually know. He often does have original ideas like this.
Jennifer and Rick There are actually 3 proposals in my last paragraph all of which are somewhat variations on a theme. We are talking about the same person and he and I had similar discussions on all three of the suggestions I include above!
Martin
I have been taken to task for saying “each and every member of the new Council”. Having reread the Champion Article and Editorial on the All Candidates meeting I acknowledge that not all of the new Councillors did make that commitment.
Martin
The two councillors representing that ward certainly did, and they were both in the room for both sessions. I’m just concerned that they will try to use the ‘book nook’ option as a dodge.