"I was infuriated by Goonan's article and emailed the following..." Letter to the Editor of The Republican
....Laurel Rancitelli

Dear Mr. Goonan,
My name is Laurel Rancitelli. I should begin by telling you that this 'library issue' has been the straw that broke the camel's back for me and I am now running for Springfield City Council.
You sat the the last meeting of The Library Study Committee at Pine Point Community Center, as did I. When Charlie Ryan mentioned the City buying the libraries for $1.00 I didn't flinch since those were the EXACT words, the precise price tag , Joe Carvahlo put on the East Spfld. branch when I contacted him by telephone, several months ago, when the libraries first closed !

Mr. Carvahlo told me that I should contact the E.S. Neighborhood Council and ask them to buy this branch. When I asked him how the Council would afford such and undertaking he told me that they could have it for " a dollar"!

Of course, the costs to RUN the library would be another ball of wax and Mr. Carvahlo suggested that I contact The Community Foundation or call the Mayor !
I DID Call the E.S. Neighborhood Council and of course the president, Kathy Brown, informed me that it would be IMPOSSIBLE for the Council to fund the operation of a library. Therefore, I called the mayor's office and spoke to an aide who asked me what I might suggest the mayor do . I asked if THE MAYOR might consider reaching out and asking for funds to help if need be and I was laughed at ! The aide said , "you want THE MAYOR to ask for funds ?" and when I replied, "Sure, why not?", there was laughter and the aide suggested I call Mr. Carvahlo.

This little ping pong match has been at the expense of City residents and Springfield school students.
I really have to take issue with Charlie Ryan being called ' silly and naive " (Sunday Republican , May 11, 2003) when the $1.00 price tag was suggested by Joseph Carvahlo himself, at least to me !

It frustrates me to know that some residents feel " Well, if the city can't afford the libraries, we can't get blood from stone ..." The City residents have ALREADY paid for the libraries with taxpayer funds and are being hoodwinked by the SMLA and the current administration.
Residents should DEMAND what is RIGHTFULLY theirs.....the City of Springfield!
Laurel Rancitelli

cc: Charles Ryan
Maureen Turner
Peter Goonan