Charged with finding a new location for the library, it seems puzzling the committee was left out of the loop of such a significant decision. City officials say there was no time to consult the committee, that the amazing deal it got for purchasing the Meta Rose Square shopping center — $1.5 million — was too good to pass up. The asking price is $500,000 less than the indoor shopping mall’s assessed value, but had to happen before the end of the year.
It seems unlikely there was absolutely no time to consult with the committee about this, a body of city and community members who have put considerable time and effort into finding a new home for the library. How much time could it have taken to make a few phone calls or send out an e-mail to the committee members calling for a special meeting?
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“It’s frustrating,” said Jeanne Troshynski, chairwoman of the steering committee and president of the Friends of the Wasilla Library. “We worked with a consultant. We’ve really tried to be diligent making sure we’ve looked at what the community needs. Now, it’s all for naught.”
We’re thrilled Wasilla city officials have put such a high priority on upgrading its public library. It’s long overdue. But we’re forced to wonder why, if the city can be so easily swayed by a “buy me now” offer, how much real research and study went into determining if the Meta Rose Square shopping center really is the best choice.
Also, by acting outside the loop of the steering committee, the city has alienated those it had asked to help. Asking community-minded residents to give their time and effort, then ignoring them is not good policy. How many will be so willing to step up to the plate again?
The city got a great deal and the Meta Rose may make a wonderful library, but the monetary savings from acting so quickly may have cost Wasilla more than it bargained for.
Comments
16 comment(s)Whats next wrote on Nov 27, 2009 12:38 PM:
stepnorth wrote on Nov 27, 2009 7:48 AM:
Patriot wrote on Nov 27, 2009 7:20 AM:
To David - Who wrote on Nov 22, 2009 11:46 AM:
David wrote on Nov 21, 2009 2:27 PM:
I am a few classes away from my masters with a 3.6 gpa and have yet stepped foot in a library. So I must not be lacking knowledge which is what ignorant means. Just stating a fact. "
librarian. wrote on Nov 21, 2009 1:20 PM:
David wrote on Nov 21, 2009 8:14 AM:
To How wrote on Nov 21, 2009 3:17 AM:
Poor planning. It'll cost a bundle to transform this building into a library. "
To hmmmm wrote on Nov 20, 2009 4:12 PM:
concerned wrote on Nov 20, 2009 1:29 PM:
The problem is not just in the purchase of these projects but in the future city budgeting for operations and maintenance. How much will it cost the city to remodel the Meta Rose square and maintain it? Also, where was the thought regarding a joint library/civic center?
Thank you Jeanne and all for your many years of support for the library. Colleen "
How wrote on Nov 20, 2009 11:56 AM:
Its becoming a habit wrote on Nov 20, 2009 10:00 AM:
Grateful wrote on Nov 20, 2009 9:01 AM:
The Committee would probably just hem and haw and spend more $$$ for consultants and still have nothing. The consultants are just ticked because they aren't going to make more money off the city. Be grateful you have a place for the library, some cities are losing their librairies! "
hmmmm wrote on Nov 20, 2009 7:35 AM:
You nailed it.... wrote on Nov 20, 2009 6:31 AM:
Dave Herrmann wrote on Nov 20, 2009 5:23 AM: