To the Editor,

 

            Despite having taken prompt and robust action, Springfield library supporters  don’t know the thinking behind the Mayor’s proposed 10.76% cut in the 2009 library budget.  And despite yesterday’s meeting called by city Councilor Bud Williams in response to a letter from the Library Commission with Seth Racine from the city’s financial team, they are still in the dark.

 

            Peppered with questions from Councilors Williams, Markey and Stebbins and library advocates, Mr. Racine had no information about a rationale or calculation which would support such a severe cut.  It is hard to imagine that the financial team did not anticipate that this question would be asked by library advocates who have forcefully and successfully spoken out in recent years.  It is even harder to imagine that the city would send a representative to a public meeting unprepared to answer such a basic question.  If no one but the Mayor can tell the public why the library department has been singled out for such a deep cut, then the financial team should say so. 

 

As for Mayor Sarno, since there appears to be no explanation for the 10.76% cut, he should withdraw it and substitute a reduction figure for the library department in line with those proposed for other city departments.

 

                        Sheila McElwaine

                        Library Commissioner