It is time to build the Beach Library
To the editor:
The open letter, which recently appeared in both local papers in opposition to the library expansion project, illustrates very well the underhanded tactics the same small group of people has used to promote their opinions the past few months. Using a friendly sounding though anonymous name, they have been anything but friendly in dealing with the library. Lies, half-truths, bullying communications, repetitive negative letter writing, behind-the-scenes efforts to discredit the Library District and its Board, and even a “petition” – signatures gained by promising “tax refund checks” – are all elements of their approach.
The open letter is just more of the same.
An early letter from a library supporter put it astutely: “It is one thing to intelligently question if the value of a library expansion justifies its cost. It is something else to question the competency and integrity of the dedicated people who have spent years in planning and executing the project, with the tacit support of many. If some must condescendingly malign people of honorable intent to prove a point, then their argument is foolish and not worthy of consideration.”
Another resident asks the question directly: “Why is this small group creating a controversy about the one public facility which services and is enthusiastically supported by the greatest number of visitors and locals alike, and which, arguably, serves them all the most efficiently and effectively?”
Had the money and time this group purports to have spent working to stop the library expansion been put toward helping people in need, imagine how many people in our community would have benefitted. And while the Library Board feels strongly that debating the issue in the newspaper is inadvisable, it is likely that some residents may be confused by the lies and misrepresentations put forth in the open letter. This is written to help put the matter to rest.
The small group declares that they weren’t aware the Fort Myers Beach Library is an independent district. After 56 years, it’s time to be aware.
The library’s long-term plan over the past eight years addressed the current and future needs of the community. The small group accuses that library expenses were misrepresented in the budgeting process, but the fact is that the budget in each year clearly addressed various needs: to establish a catastrophic self-insurance fund, to pay off the purchase of additional land and to establish a Library Expansion Fund. This last priority is no different from what is done around the country, including our Lee County library system, which collected tax funds to pay, in full, for the recently completed Lakes Region and North Cape Coral Libraries, and the downtown Fort Myers Library, which is currently being built.
But instead of praising the Beach Library for charging 37 percent LESS in library taxes over the past decade than the Lee County library system, the small group continues to criticize that any tax dollars above and beyond operating costs were collected at all. They ignore the fact that we now have the money to build a much-needed facility, without ever having raised millage rates to anywhere near the rates used by the Lee County system. They claim the library’s budgets were not disclosed. The truth is they were, as past of the two public budget hearings conducted every year in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Revenue.
The open letter states a bond for $2.4 million was secured. In fact, the bond was for $2 million, and 1/3 of that is already paid back, and by the end of this year, another 1/3 will be paid back.
The small group maintains that a Public Facilities Report hasn’t been filed. The truth is that as soon as the library learned one was necessary, the report was filed with the County and the Town received their copy. The County admits it doesn’t even use the report; failure to file carries no penalty. Moreover, if the report is SO important to the Town or if what was submitted somehow falls short of the Town’s requirements, why does the Town not simply state clearly in writing what additional information they feel they require?
The letter attests that residents and taxpayers have been notified that they are not permitted to attend meetings. Nothing could be further from the truth. Public meetings are advertised at least one week in advance and all are welcome. Regrettably, a staff member told one of this group’s members who arrived late for a meeting with a contractor-candidate that the meeting was not open to the public. This was a mistake; the media covered the meeting – it was clearly open to the public – but from that one incident comes the absurd distortion that people aren’t allowed to attend library meetings.
Do you see the pattern?
The small group is so focused on finding fault that, in their own words, “Facts are being overridden by personal affronts and indignation.” They claim their numerous (and often repetitive) requests for information have gone unanswered. Not true. They send frequent and insulting e-mails to the library board, copying members of the Town Council and others who have no involvement in library business. They appear at Board meetings raising the same questions during Public Comment each month, despite having already received answers. They speak out of turn, often saying demeaning and insulting things. Our Board members are to be commended for keeping to the high road in politely putting up with this pattern of harassment, but it is time for it to stop.
Our Library Board has fully acknowledged and shown respect for the fact that not everyone agrees with the need for the library expansion project. Board members, many of who are long-time residents of the Beach, understand that almost every municipal project has its detractors. But this small group fails to understand that they are a minority – a very small minority – among the more than 12,000 taxing units within the library district. Though they have been given a pulpit from which to spread their mistruths and meanness, they do not represent the much greater community.
The expansion will enable the library to offer additional services, a larger collection, improved accessibility, and a myriad of activities that foster education, inspiration and a sense of community. It is time for the naysayers to accept what our community has been telling the Library Board all along, through their support, their words, and their donations: “Build it!”
Pat Smith is a member of the Friends of the Fort Myers Beach Library. She is a resident of Fort Myers Beach which is in the Beach Library district.
Pat A. Smith
Fort Myers Beach
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