|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Library Contract a Done Deal |
 |
| May 27, 2008 Ironwood Township The impasse between the Ironwood Library Board and the Ironwood Township Board of Supervisors is over. Thanks to level headed and sensible members of each side, the contract was approved 4-2 at last week's Library Board Meeting and was ratified tonight by a 6-1 vote at Township Hall. The negotiations were at an impasse largely because of the negative attitude of Bruce Noren and his unfriendly Friend$ of the Library. From the outset Noren tried to sabotage the negotiations he was supported by Board chairman, Margaret Rayner, wife of Ironwood School Superintendent, James Rayner. Hat Changing, also known as Musical Hats One can only wonder what Noren had in his head when trying his utmost to kill the deal. Throughout last week's meeting he and his Friend$ of the Library kept changing their hats. One moment they were wearing their library board hats, then the next moment their wearing their "Friend$" hat. In fact once or twice Noren wore his "Mayor's Hat" and once even tried on his majesty's Imperial Crown. In the end, he sat there on the losing end of a 4-2 vote, appropriately wearing of all things his dunce cap. Noren had done everything he could to stop the deal he even tried cutting off debate when he had no authority to do so. He told this writer he was out of order, when in fact he, Noren was out of order, as he was not in charge of the meeting. He even allowed the librarian who has no authority whatsoever, to open the floor to the unfriendly Friend$ of the Library. The librarian is a guest at the board meeting not a member. Overthrow the Township Board! Gemma Lamb the secretary/treasurer of the FRIEND$$$$$, took off her councilman hat and proposed over and over again that the FRIEND$ should become Unfriendly to the Township and take over their board just as they did in the city in last November's elections. Another not so friendly friend introduced herself as Bernie DeHutt. MS. DeHutt used the words "ugly" and "frightening" over and over again to describe her feelings about the issue. She never did explain why she felt that the Township was obligated to turn their revenues over to the Ironwood Library. She, along with tax and spend Councilman Suzy Toth seem unable to grasp the notion that the Township is subsidizing the City not the other way around! DeHutt also echoed the sentiments of Lamb, Rayner and Noren that they should find candidates to overthrow the township board. Nothing like tampering in other people's affairs. Mrs. Rayner told this writer that membership at the library had grown and that the township withdrawal would not hurt the library operation. But, this proved not to be the case. The librarian Elaine Erickson (wife of City Manager Scot Erickson) told the board that, if the Township moved their revenues to Bessemer the Library would have to reduce hours from the current 52 to just 36 hours and layoff personnel. So Suzy and Bernie here's the scenario, Township gives money to city. City then can have extra library benefits. Library can be open 52 hours not 36 hours. Township gives money to Bessemer. Bessemer gets extra benefits and longer hours. Ironwood must curtail services and hours. OK Suzy, now, who's subsidizing who? |