Friends of Library secretary asks community for support
To the editor:
You are probably aware of the Town Council’s efforts, at the behest of a handful of residents, in challenging the expansion of the library.
These efforts have cost the Town and the Library a considerable amount of our tax dollars to pay attorney fees on both sides. Al Durrett, owner of the Fish Tail Marina and one of the “concerned” residents, had his attorney review the methods the Library Board used to fund the expansion and the Council hired an independent law firm to review the activities of the Library Board. Although both law firms found no grounds for further legal action and that the “piggy bank” method used to save money for the expansion was “a fiscally responsible approach,” Mr. Durrett contacted Governor Scott requesting that allegations of budget deception be investigated to stop the expansion project. His request was referred to the Florida Joint Legislative Audit Committee that found no merit to the complaint and recommended that the Auditor General not perform an audit of the Library District. Additionally, Town Council, at the request of Town Attorney Jim Humphrey, has asked the Lee County Board of Commissioners to do another investigation, including an audit on August 23. The BOCC decided to address the matter at a meeting in October.
It is time to end the attacks and instead focus on the good that the expansion project is bringing to the community. Please help sway the BOCC to deny the Town’s request and end these divisive and costly actions by contacting the Lee County Commissioners and/or attend the BOCC meeting (date not yet announced) dealing with the issue to “stand-up” for the library.
Contact information:
Mailing address: Box 398, Fort Myers, FL 33902-0398
District 1 John Manning dist1@leegov.com
Phone: (239) 533-2224 Fax: (239) 485-2155
District 2 Brian Bigelow District2@leegov.com
Phone: (239) 533-2227 Fax: (239) 485-2099
District 3 Ray Judah dist3@leegov.com
Phone: (239) 533-2223 Fax: (239) 485-2021
District 4 Tammy Hall dist4@leegov.com
Phone: (239) 533-2226 Fax: (239) 485-2054
District 5 Frank Mann dist5@leegov.com
Phone: (239) 533-2225 Fax: (239) 485-2092
Betsy Mangan, Secretary
Friends of the Fort Myers Beach Library