Save the Ridgewood Branch Library!

I’m not sure I can write this post with a clear head because I’m so upset and disgusted, but I will try.

We live in an older neighborhood. We feel safe enough, and we love the low cost of living, but our area of the city is definitely not “up and coming”. With all the older homes, large trees and good-sized lots it is easy to imagine, and indeed to wish for, a neighborhood as it used to be back in the day. This could be a neighborhood where people know each other and watch out for each other and where kids play freely in the front yard.

We often bemoan the fact that every few months another building seems to be vacated, or, better yet, another payday loan business or dollar store moves in.

Well, we just discovered today that apparently the next building to be left empty and rotting will be nothing less than our community library! Oh, yes. Doesn’t this sound like the city council is trying hard to “revitalize” our community and make it more appealing to new residents?

Let’s see. The city claims it is trying to attract more retail and restaurants, but do they honestly believe retailers and restaurant owners find an area with empty buildings and dollar stores more attractive than a neighborhood with, say, other stores, a post office, and possibly a great community building like a library or a YMCA?

I believe a library is an important and perhaps integral part of the community. In an area where many do not have regular, reliable transportation our library is within easy walking distance of numerous neighborhoods. Our library is also in a prime location to offer classes, like English as a second language classes, for the community. Not to mention that I myself read quite a lot and find it spectacular that I can make quick trips to the library at least once a week because it is only a few blocks away.

According to the article we read, our little library needs almost $1 million in repairs and the city is trying to cut items out of the budget because they are $5 million short of funds. My husband deftly pointed out that he’s fairly certain they could tear down and rebuild the whole stinkin’ library for less than a million dollars in this part of town.

I would have to agree.

By the way, the other proposed budget cut mentioned in the article is the removal of two of our city fire engines.

So, while the city matches retirement funds for employees at a 2 to 1 ratio (unheard of since most companies will only match about half that amount), safety, community resources, and education are just tossed out the window.

It does not help the matter that two almost brand new city libraries (one just opened seven years ago!) recently received funding for renovations including new carpet and a “coffee vending area”. What?!? Our library is almost 35 years old. Surely those other two libraries could have waited their turn for city funding in order to update our little library just a bit.

The bottom line, I realize, is money, money, money. OK. So, raise our taxes a bit so we can keep our library and a glimmer of hope that perhaps something other than vacant buildings, dollar stores, and payday loan businesses will flood our area of town.

The next city council meeting to discuss these budget cuts will be Thursday, August 28 at 6 p.m. You can bet we will try to be there to protest.