I was so flabbergasted last night when Tom Hehman came forward with yet another plan to rebuild a new Library. However, it wasn't until Shanie Shields opened her mouth and let out the multi million dollar words of just why this project must move forward. We Need A New City Hall and the old Library is perfect!
Old Barrie Tilghman is still in Office Ladies & Gentlemen and the ONLY reason this project is going forward with ANY support whatsoever is because Barrie Tilghman wanted this years ago and they'll stop at nothing to make it happen.
As many of you know, my Father In Law Art Goetz was the Director of the Wicomico County Library System for many years until he retired. He still to this day says that building has at least another 50 years life to it and if they simply removed the regional library from downstairs they could easily continue to operate in that building for many more years to come.
Gary, Louise and Shanie still talked about the Library in Rockville where they have parking below and a small indoor Mall on the first floor. THIS IS SALISBURY, NOT ROCKVILLE!
When will the spending end? They're talking about taking away the parking lot used for the Court House and perhaps building a basement parking lot and Gary Comegys said the City may want to retain the deed to the parking lot below the Library project. Debbie Campbell said, if you move the Library away from the heart of the City, (where it's now located) you're placing the draw away from the Downtown Plaza Shopping. Tom stated that he felt there are other shops like the antique mall at the west end of Downtown, so he felt it wouldn't hurt business as much as Debbie thought. I beg to differ Tom. Do some research and you'll very quickly find antique shops are failing all around the United States. Expect that one to fold some time in the near future too.
Then there's the highly successful Flea Market held there every weekend, GONE! Traffic congestion added to Rt. 13. Man, there's so many problems with this idea I don't even know where to start. That being said, let's leave it up to all of you to voice your opinions.
I have been watching some of the comments coming in and the Tilghman people are already throwing out how wonderful an idea it is on yesterday's Post. Give it a rest people, WE CAN'T AFFORD IT! OK, let's just get very real right now. IF they move forward with this project, there's no question, your taxes in Wicomico County AND Salisbury will once again go up. It's time to start acting far more responsible financially and STOP trying to make legacy's out of a few people instead.
Is the building they're in too small? NO! As a Country we are hurting everywhere we turn. This is so irresponsible it isn't funny. CONSERVE right now for once and wait until we start seeing some light in our future. You want to build something, think about a new Civic Center that can draw some revenue into the County. These $14,000,000.00 Fire Palaces and Grand Libraries bring NOTHING back to the Taxpayers funding these facilities. Oh, and don't even think of coming back at me about the resource a Library brings to the community. WE ALREADY HAVE ONE AND IT WORKS JUST FINE!
OK, now it's your turn. Let's hear what YOU have to say.
24 comments:
If any downtown expansion is to be done, do it on the riverfront. Parking lots don't need a water view. And we certainly don't need a third vacant abandoned building on our downtown waterfront.
Also, I've been in Salisbury 17 years now and have always heard that the Library building is the most modern energy efficient building in town; way ahead of its time. If it's now ready for demolition, where does that leave the rest of Downtown???
No government spending for anything that is not absolutly necessary.
If it ain't broke don't fix it. I see no reason to spend all that money on a new library when the one we have works fine. Sure most all of us can relate to that. if you have a three year old car and it works fine. Why buy a new one just because it would be nice to have one. I think we would all right now say There is nothing wrong with this car so I think I will keep it till it starts breaking down. Like the old adage
"IF IT AIN'T BROKE DONT FIX IT."
How about building some actual branch buildings in teh communities like Pittsville, Mardela, and Bivalve with all the same amenities that are in Salisbury. Then the Wicomico County Library would actually serve Wicomico county. The little trailer in Pittsville doesn't compare at all. Worcester County can have a great library in each town but Wicomico cannot....just doesn't make sense to me.
We are in the age of computers. What you need to find in this world can be found on the internet. Down load a book, do homework, your job. Why drive to the library to read or check out a book, music, information when you have it at your fingertips. How many people actually use the library. I think our money could be spent more wisely. Better yet dont spend it at all!
Leaving aside the questions of whether a bigger library facility is needed and if it is feasible financially to build one at this time, the proposed site is terrible from almost any aspect of site selection, and it will have negligible benefit on downtown revitalization.
Salisbury: "Just say NO!"
I would like to see this idea explored:
Salisbury University, as well as many other colleges and universities, are part of the Maryland University System. Whereas, books are shared and borrowed among university libraries throughout the State. This reduces the burden of acquiring the less demanded books for every location. All of the inventories for every library location are available for browsing and you can usually get the book you need delivered to your school's library within a day or two.
So how can Wicomico's Library benefit from this? It reduces operational costs and thus saves money to use towards the matching funds (quit creating debt!). It reduces the additional weight on the library floor that everybody is so concerned about and buys the library some time before they "need" to rebuild. Further more, our library would be full service, trend setting library worthy of an upgrade-not just some greedy folks looking to rob the tax payers....
Art is completely correct (as usual).
The highly successful flea market needs some monitoring. People are setting up as businesses and selling items competing with local businesses such as the antique stores who have to have a license, insurance, etc.
Okay Michael....This is just a bit verbose. Can you give us the Reader's Digest version?
Joe:
What part of "stupid" do these idiots not understand?
This town just amazes me, they are actually just like a little kid, i.e. if you have some money in your pocket, hurry up and go spend it before it burns a hole in the pocket. Recession, people, recession. Quit the spending, learn how to save and make do with what we've got and be happy.
The park and flea do have "business" type things for sale. I saw this spring a man frying breakfast food on a coleman camp stove. No license from the health department, no commercial equipment and no roof over the food. (hell-o bird oop). people with a license have one to purchase once a year. $350.00 and have a commercial building/equipment. Yes this place needs to be monitored more closely.
Keep the library where it is. Raise the roof and create a third and/or fourth floor. Install MORE solar panels.
Typical Salisbury "planning" -- a hot shot consultant from out-of town that we will never see again recommends a ridiculous scheme, and they fall for it in City Hall. Remember the "North Prong" and opening the downtown plaza to vehicles, and what about that recent plan to develop the parking lot just south of the plaza.
PS -- this same nonsense by a high paid "expert" for elsewhere is currently underway for the City's new "comp plan" and revised zoning code.
no, No, NO!
The old "Daily Times" property on Carroll Street would be a much better site than this.
And what about that half built building on Fitzwater Street that was going to be a condo? They could call it the Barrie Tilghman Tower and Library
The last time I looked it was a county library. If Salisbury wants to build it - Go for it. The county should stay where they are.
Anon 10:26,
Know your facts before you speak..you'll sound more intelligent!
The old Daily Times building cannot be acquired-PRMC bought in anticipation of future expansions of the hospital.
And Fitzwater Street?! Are you serious?!?!? For one, would you want your kids hanging out at a library in that kind of location? Two, the existing structure is going to have to be torn down since it has been taking on weather so much and its structural integrity is being depleted. Three, do you know how much the bank bought it back for at auction? The bank already took a hit and I seriously doubt that they would take another just to sell it to build a library.
Think before you type....
Like Rockville??..more like "Bedrock. This town is so dead you can hit a small bucket of balls,with a three wood, at any local bar and not hit a soul...have a yabba-dabba-doo time.
Has the firehouse across the street from the Library been considered for any city use?
The vacated fire station across the street from the library would make as wonderful annex. The Regional Library could move there as well as some other functions of the existing library. Mr Goetz is correct, I think. Those of us who use the library can see that the facility is quite adequate for many years to come. Is a new library really a need or a want?
i thought this city and county was broke...they need to raise taxes because they dont have the money for the budget..in this recession where people are losing jobs left and right, you need to focus on bringing new jobs to this city and county. Until people can afford to spend again i mean a income coming in. we are not in a position to spend. If you dont have it dont spend it. You darn people always want to spend and then tax. well listen up people, we the people are taxed to death now as it is.....NO MORE TAXES NOR HIGHER TAXES. enough is enough already. Bring in jobs lower our taxes now. Stop running more businesses out by raising taxes. The people are broke and barely getting by and we havent seen nothing yet. Our food, electric, gas, etc is constantly going up while are pay checks are not if we have one at all and you people want a new library.... people are suffering and barely feeding their familites and you want a new library????? HAVE YOU PEOPLE LOST YOUR FLIPPING MINDS??????? NO NO NO...... NO New library!
The idea of a new library is nothing more than an old mans feeble attempts to solidify his name in our towns history... there are many other pressing issues in this county that need to be addressed other than this incompetent mans ego. Bring back Art Goetz, to teach Tom Hehman what it is to be a library director, teach him how to develop a spine to do what is right for the community that he serves, instead of being obsessed with his own personal agenda. Stop spending our money for your personal/political gain. Tom Hehman is a mistake this town should purge.
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