A library test of wills | Letter to the editor
Published 2:03 pm Thursday, August 30, 2012
We need $10 million, according to the city’s best estimate, to bring the Cedar River Library to KCLS standards; maybe less if we economize. We are making progress, but we are not done — because the city administration is out of touch with and obstructing the will of the people. The city team that will meet with KCLS and the architects to discuss plans for the library includes two board members from the city’s Library Advisory Board (LAB), board members who are all closely associated with Mayor Law and his campaign to decommission the Cedar River building. In the last council meeting, when council moved to give one vacant seat on the LAB to a Cedar River supporter, the mayor refused, and the LBZP majority voted 4/3 to exclude all the volunteers from any participation in what happens next, those volunteers who worked thousands of hours on Proposition 1 will get no voice!
This is a call to action. We need council to discuss and have an up-or-down vote on a resolution to create a “BOARD FOR ENSURING A MAJORITY PUBLIC VOICE IN CITY/KCLS MANAGEMENT OF THE LIBRARY RENOVATION PROJECT,” consisting of five members, with two alternates, each appointed by the council to a two-year term and to be extended at the pleasure of the council, where at least four members and the two alternates are to be appointed from credentialed nominees put forth by the outgoing officers of the Citizens for the Cedar River Library, the grassroots organization most responsible for putting together the 76 percent majority in Proposition 1 voting that challenged three years of autcratic rule by the Kings, the Princes, and the Dictators in City Hall.
This is a call for all citizens — come to witness the council meeting next month (Monday, Sept. 10 7 p.m.), where there will be a test of wills between the People and the city administration to determine who has the biggest bona fides to negotiate for the city in discussions with KCLS concerning the future of the Cedar River Library. Be there!
Kal Lambert
Renton
