Letter to the Editor: Let’s Look Beyond April 5, 2011

Between today and April 5 when the votes are tallied; B-PAC, like our opponents, is working to share our viewpoints with the public.  We both seek the support of Morton Grove’s voters for our respective visions on the future of the Library. I would like to address political issues raised in a letter by PROLibrary’s Campaign Coordinator and then offer B-PAC’s (Paul Berg, Catherine Peters, Mark Albers, David Calimag) thoughts on what happens starting the day after election.

First, let’s address Mr. Hoffman’s points as raised in his letter. 

B-PAC came together after hearing the message offered to the public by the current board who are seeking re-election in addition to our families’, friends’ and neighbors’ reactions to that message and activity. 

What did we hear and read? That building a library was on the agenda of the library board for some time, supported by costly consultants whose job it was to convince Morton Grove that we needed a new facility costing $20+ million dollars (one that would rival our wealthier neighbors in Glenview). 

What did we witness; an increase in our tax levy by the Library Board that triggered a Truth in Taxation hearing (a trend that had been occurring for several years).  Despite hearing from the public, the Library Board still presented the increased budget which the Village Board was forced, by law, to adopt. When questioned about cost cutting, no answers were given at that time and we learned that all the staff were given raises and despite a large number of volunteers, new paid full and part time employees were added. 

In review of the reserve fund, no matter how it is labeled, there exists a reserve that is almost 65% of the total library operating budget when municipalities generally use 25% as a standard. Yet, despite these reserves, the library again increased taxes to operate this one facility by $100,000 more than what the village needed to operate Fire, Police, Public Works and the rest of their services. A forensic audit should not frighten public officials as it is a tool to better determine how public money is spent. We applaud the current board’s efforts in reducing health costs and wish they find new (not from taxes) sources of revenue. What is not a germane argument is how the library receives it’s funding or how other elements of government get theirs. The current board should know to work within their structure and not have us all look at how and when other arms of government receive their income.    

Our final comment on political issues concerns challenges to nominating papers. The fact is simple, rules are rules, and we must follow the rules. The State of Illinois has clearly defined procedures for candidates, which we easily found, and which we followed. Knowing all the rules is even more important for those whom are entrusted as stewards of public funds; even more so than candidates.  Perhaps our opponents should have been more circumspect in their efforts to avoid the necessity for the hearings about which they continue to lament.

But far from crumbling, the public whom we encounter in Morton Grove continue to look at the issues in front of them.  Basically, they don’t feel now is the right time to spend $20 million plus for a new building, and that what was proposed may not be the right project for our community (despite the letters in other newspaper publications from Skokie and Wilmette residents who have offered opinions on what Morton Grove taxpayers should do). The other issue is taxes and why over the last several years have they risen so high? Finally, it is about openly communicating with the people; something the current board could certainly do a better job of accomplishing. 

But let us look ahead beyond Election Day. If one or all of us are fortunate to be elected to serve the people, we pledge to work with those who remain on the board.  We hope the current candidates will continue to volunteer to make the Library a better place, whether they are elected or not. Our goals will all be the same after the final votes are tallied and the signs pulled up; the best interests of the Morton Grove Public Library, its patrons and the citizens of our village. I hope and pray our temporary opponents will once again become our neighbors as we discuss and plan for the future. Thank you!