Now I understand why there were dozens of police cruisers parked willy nilly around downtown yesterday. I assumed it was a training or certification day. Discovering it was a show of police political force is extremely discomforting amid the current national and state government stampedes toward authoritarianism.
When our voters approved a new West Feliciana Parish Library a little over a decade ago, many of the same arguments detractors in EBR were made, but not with as much vitriol and without pitting one agency directly against another. Our library has become the jewel of our community providing WiFi for people without Internet service, reading enrichment for our children, modern classroom space for our LSU OLLI classes, space for many public meetings, etc. Even the person elected parish president back then opposed the new library, but became a big supporter once it opened. Libraries are no longer simply book depositories. They are invaluable resources to the public availing themselves to them.
I left a comment last week on the neighborhood site praising the many programs the EBR library provides Free to all of us. Just go in one day and check it out. Saturday reading/art/game programs for children, concerts, adult reading and education programs, computer availability, and more. It is the best! The new leadership has to be better prepared.
If parents do not want their children to read certain materials, then Don’t let them! I am sure those parents are monitoring them daily with loving care.
Unfortunately, this is what I feared the most about the election of Sid Edwards. I do not deny that he appears to be an honest good guy, with a good heart. That's a good start. But by this move, he has shown he has no real experience to guide his decision making. He is surrounded by his supporters who appear to have sing-minded and simple ideas about how to solve the crime problem. Experienced leaders know there is no single solution, such has been recommended: pay police more, get more police and we solve the crime problem. This is so naive. In addition, it is an endless pattern of robbing Peter to pay Paul of (which is bound to be repeated), and what we will end up with is little improvement in the "problem area" and downward spiral a well-functioning community asset. We voted for these funds to be dedicated to the library. The citizens said we want to invest our tax dollars into something we saw as critical and to not be tampered with. Shame on our leaders for doing the easy thing: the proverbial money grab. That was so easy and disappointing. What is hard, is trying to support the good things the city has going for it and helping the police department to curb crime. Perhaps we should start by recognizing that the way we address our crime problem is by supporting our schools, funding support systems in the community like our libraries and our parks, to keep our citizens involved in PROSOCIAL ACTIVITIES. Libraries are there to help lift our citizens up from poverty, and ignorance. Libraries support citizens of all ages to learn and become good citizens. We can't and shouldn't see our way out of this crime problem with just more police, more punishment, more people in prison. But it sure is an easy way to look like you are tough on crime if you are an elected official. Warning to the parks department and the zoo. They will be after your funds next.
Unfortunately “Coach” Edwards is following the National Republican playbook of attacking libraries. He will eventually use the tool provided by Landry’s Legislature—Act 647. It makes library board members “at will” appointees. This is what has brought chaos to the Livingston, St. Tammany, etc., Boards.
Thank you for highlighting the danger of reducing library funds while simultaneously creating unfriendly competition between two necessary institutions__our library system and our police force. Yes, police officers most definitely deserve a raise. No one would argue that. However, compromising library services is not the way to go. Our libraries are so much more than just places to check out books. Anyone unfamiliar with the library's free monthly publication, The Source, should pick up a copy and get a good overview of the quantity, quality, and variety of programs, services, and events offered, all of which are free. Anyone passing the Main Library on Goodwood any day of the week will see a full parking lot; anyone stepping inside will see people of every age group enthusiastically engaged in wholesome endeavors. This is even more noticeable after school, on weekends, and during the summer when children and teens need opportunities for healthy activities in a safe learning environment. There is truly something for everyone, and we must not let this valuable institution be adversely affected. May our new mayor find some other way to generate much-needed funding for our police department while leaving our library system unharmed.
Now I understand why there were dozens of police cruisers parked willy nilly around downtown yesterday. I assumed it was a training or certification day. Discovering it was a show of police political force is extremely discomforting amid the current national and state government stampedes toward authoritarianism.
When our voters approved a new West Feliciana Parish Library a little over a decade ago, many of the same arguments detractors in EBR were made, but not with as much vitriol and without pitting one agency directly against another. Our library has become the jewel of our community providing WiFi for people without Internet service, reading enrichment for our children, modern classroom space for our LSU OLLI classes, space for many public meetings, etc. Even the person elected parish president back then opposed the new library, but became a big supporter once it opened. Libraries are no longer simply book depositories. They are invaluable resources to the public availing themselves to them.
I left a comment last week on the neighborhood site praising the many programs the EBR library provides Free to all of us. Just go in one day and check it out. Saturday reading/art/game programs for children, concerts, adult reading and education programs, computer availability, and more. It is the best! The new leadership has to be better prepared.
If parents do not want their children to read certain materials, then Don’t let them! I am sure those parents are monitoring them daily with loving care.
Why create a battle that is not needed.
Unfortunately, this is what I feared the most about the election of Sid Edwards. I do not deny that he appears to be an honest good guy, with a good heart. That's a good start. But by this move, he has shown he has no real experience to guide his decision making. He is surrounded by his supporters who appear to have sing-minded and simple ideas about how to solve the crime problem. Experienced leaders know there is no single solution, such has been recommended: pay police more, get more police and we solve the crime problem. This is so naive. In addition, it is an endless pattern of robbing Peter to pay Paul of (which is bound to be repeated), and what we will end up with is little improvement in the "problem area" and downward spiral a well-functioning community asset. We voted for these funds to be dedicated to the library. The citizens said we want to invest our tax dollars into something we saw as critical and to not be tampered with. Shame on our leaders for doing the easy thing: the proverbial money grab. That was so easy and disappointing. What is hard, is trying to support the good things the city has going for it and helping the police department to curb crime. Perhaps we should start by recognizing that the way we address our crime problem is by supporting our schools, funding support systems in the community like our libraries and our parks, to keep our citizens involved in PROSOCIAL ACTIVITIES. Libraries are there to help lift our citizens up from poverty, and ignorance. Libraries support citizens of all ages to learn and become good citizens. We can't and shouldn't see our way out of this crime problem with just more police, more punishment, more people in prison. But it sure is an easy way to look like you are tough on crime if you are an elected official. Warning to the parks department and the zoo. They will be after your funds next.
We need Our Public Libraries!! Vote YES to continue the support!
It was clear from the council comments that they’re coming after all dedicated funds. They want control of the money. BREC, etc will be next.
Unfortunately “Coach” Edwards is following the National Republican playbook of attacking libraries. He will eventually use the tool provided by Landry’s Legislature—Act 647. It makes library board members “at will” appointees. This is what has brought chaos to the Livingston, St. Tammany, etc., Boards.
Thank you for highlighting the danger of reducing library funds while simultaneously creating unfriendly competition between two necessary institutions__our library system and our police force. Yes, police officers most definitely deserve a raise. No one would argue that. However, compromising library services is not the way to go. Our libraries are so much more than just places to check out books. Anyone unfamiliar with the library's free monthly publication, The Source, should pick up a copy and get a good overview of the quantity, quality, and variety of programs, services, and events offered, all of which are free. Anyone passing the Main Library on Goodwood any day of the week will see a full parking lot; anyone stepping inside will see people of every age group enthusiastically engaged in wholesome endeavors. This is even more noticeable after school, on weekends, and during the summer when children and teens need opportunities for healthy activities in a safe learning environment. There is truly something for everyone, and we must not let this valuable institution be adversely affected. May our new mayor find some other way to generate much-needed funding for our police department while leaving our library system unharmed.
Does anyone know what Denise Amoroso’s position on the library millage is?
I wonder what my councilman feels about this? I’m afraid to find out, but a fight for the library is one I’m willing to take.
This link provides information on the millage and contact information for council members. https://www.ebrpl.com/about/library-millage-proposals/
Thanks.