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guest2
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 Posted: Tue, Jul 28 2009, 6:58 am EDT Post subject: More on the library |
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From the June 16 2009 Meeting Minutes of the Human Services Board
| Quote: | DISCUSSION
Marilynn Mullen informed the Board that the Library is looking at the PNC bank building to see if it would be a viable space for a Library and is starting a foundation to raise money. She asked the Board if it would send a letter expressing its interest in having space at the Library if the building becomes available. The Board tabled the discussion until the July meeting. |
I guess this is Marilynn's way of working the senior demographic to be in favor of a new library. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Tue, Jul 28 2009, 7:04 am EDT Post subject: Re: More on the library |
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| Two libraries: one for the school kids in the currently location and one for the adults in the PNC location? |
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Guest
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| Posted: Tue, Jul 28 2009, 7:10 am EDT Post subject: Re: More on the library |
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| We have two libraries exisiting in the same space. The School Library supports the curriculum and protects the children. The Public Library offers full access to information, books, resources to all ages. Conflict of interest really. Planning for a time when the two can be separated makes sense. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Tue, Jul 28 2009, 10:33 am EDT Post subject: Re: More on the library |
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| Planning is the key word here. Seems that the library wants it NOW and will play the "once in a lifetime opportunity" card to get it. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Tue, Jul 28 2009, 11:08 am EDT Post subject: Re: More on the library |
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| Guest wrote: | | We have two libraries exisiting in the same space. The School Library supports the curriculum and protects the children. The Public Library offers full access to information, books, resources to all ages. Conflict of interest really. Planning for a time when the two can be separated makes sense. |
What conflict of interest? I keep hearing about this hypothetical argument but I have not heard of any REAL conflict or threat. Honestly, this is just silly. We're a 4,000 person town. Can we seriously not figure out how to work together for common goals rather than spend a lot of time and money developing two libraries if we don't really need two? Even if there really was a security threat, which I don't believe (despite having three kids in the school), it would be far cheaper to hire full-time security than to pursue a separate library. This is just a silly excuse for those that want a new library.
I can come up with all kinds of reason I need a new car or a new TV too. But the bottom line is if my car is running and my TV is working, do I really need new ones? The township isn't flush with discretionary spending money. We have tens-of-thousands of debt for every single taxpayer. We shouldn't be spending a dime we don't have to, certainly not for hypothetical conflicts that haven't even been demonstrated to be real and have simple fixes.
What is the harm in planning you ask. What is the point of it, I ask. It takes resource time and money and to what end if we havent' demonstated any fundamental necessity for it. We still have real issues like COAH and the dam repair and hopefully managing to pay closer attention to finishing the ballpark that we sunk ourselves into with a previous decision to pursue discretionary like-to-haves then managed to blow it by not paying attention to the process and ending up with a mess. That project proves we don't have enough resources to be spending time getting distracted by projects we don't need.
Prove a REAL need, then let's talk. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Tue, Jul 28 2009, 11:43 am EDT Post subject: Re: More on the library |
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| If you have two entities crammed into one space, and with planning will have the means to allow each to have their own space thus improving the services and entities, why not allow each to reach its full potential instead of saying "Why change?" |
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me
Guest
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| Posted: Tue, Jul 28 2009, 11:53 am EDT Post subject: Re: More on the library |
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"...why not allow each to reach its full potential instead of saying "Why change?""
To reach the full potential requires tax payers support. If it's free (or have a tree that can grow monies for the library), I am all for it. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Tue, Jul 28 2009, 12:38 pm EDT Post subject: Re: More on the library |
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| Guest wrote: | | If you have two entities crammed into one space, and with planning will have the means to allow each to have their own space thus improving the services and entities, why not allow each to reach its full potential instead of saying "Why change?" |
Full potential? That's such a great buzz word but what does it actually mean? You know, our kids might reach their full potential better if we spent $50 million to build them their own high school. And then they wouldn’t have to sit “crammed” in school buses commuting back and forth to Princeton for many hours a week, “wasting” their valuable time and “burdening” then with less time to do homework or to spend “quality time” with their families. See how easy it is to take ANY issue and spin it with a few choice words.
The point is, ANYTHING can reach more potential with MORE MONEY. That is not the same thing as whether it should. Of course in the universe of Star Trek where there is world peace and no money and magically resources seem limitless it would be nice to have two libraries. Who would argue against that in the abstract? But in case you hadn’t noticed, this is the REAL world. We actually do have to pay for things. And like everything else, once you do that you need to start deciding whether something is worth it, whether it is needed or just wanted. The issue isn’t whether a second library would be a nice like-to-have, its do we NEED it, can we live without it, and what specific value does it add and at what cost and would a majority of the community be willing to spend that money for that value add?
Any parent knows that kids start out wanting everything. Some people in this Township and on this forum seem to be like little kids who haven’t learned that they can’t have anything they want. Yes, Johnny it does cost money. Now, if you only have $10 Johnny, do you REALLY still “need” that plastic toy? Or would you rather save it for something you do really need?
Sometimes it seems like some people forget we live in a tiny town, with less than 2,000 taxpaying households. If you feel the need for a shiny new library, why not move to Plainsboro? Why burden the rest of us, for decades to come, with your wish list of municipal services? I have made sacrifices and acted responsibility to have no personal debt beyond my conservative mortgage. Yet some people have no problem whipping out he Township credit card to burden me with more tends-of-thousands of municipal debt.
So, if you want to change any minds, why don’t you stop play coy word games and actually articulate real reasons we need a new library – “why not” doesn’t cut it, unless you want to pay for it personally. |
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Fed up
Guest
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| Posted: Tue, Jul 28 2009, 1:12 pm EDT Post subject: Re: More on the library |
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| I gave this message board one more chance today. This is my last visit -- all I ever see are angry conservatives (no offense to rational conservatives) ranting about taxes and their opposition to change of any sort. Why such vitriol? I thought this board might provide me with more information about my town. Instead it's just a bunch of angry jerks pontificating on every given subject. Enjoy arguing with one another, folks. |
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Loving It...
Guest
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| Posted: Tue, Jul 28 2009, 1:23 pm EDT Post subject: Re: More on the library |
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| The best part is you gave your opinion. Maybe some of us disagree with it, however your voice is being heard. Your choosing to leave is your choice as well, its still a free country. Well at least for now it is. |
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not fed up
Guest
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| Posted: Tue, Jul 28 2009, 1:27 pm EDT Post subject: Re: More on the library |
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You seem be angrier than most posters here, others angry --> bad; me angry --> ok?
Most folks don't like to see the town spends money on wants (not needs), especially in today's economy. Nothing wrong with that. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Tue, Jul 28 2009, 1:54 pm EDT Post subject: Re: More on the library |
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We only have one public library...there is no second library here.
The school library is a distinct and separate entity. It is closed when the school is closed. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Tue, Jul 28 2009, 1:56 pm EDT Post subject: Re: More on the library |
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| If the public library can improve what it has to offer with no additional cost to the taxpayers, I am willing to listen. I wish more people would be willing to open their ears and listen. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Tue, Jul 28 2009, 2:00 pm EDT Post subject: Re: More on the library |
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As was posted in another thread, the PNC building will not be donated so this is likely a pointless thread right now.
I do think most people will listen, the problem is that it's the same arguements on both sides and no facts presented. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Tue, Jul 28 2009, 2:32 pm EDT Post subject: Re: More on the library |
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Sometimes one can live in this town which one might say is a bubble and can continue on in their own family bubble and not see that we need to be a community that supports one and another...supports the whole community. This narrow vision of what can my town do for me is not supporting the town.
If the public library can plan for a way to improve itself at no additional cost to the taxpayer, let them plan away. I for one would like to hear what they have to say. (If the PNC doesn't work out, then they can plan ahead for another venue.) |
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neighbor
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| Posted: Tue, Jul 28 2009, 3:06 pm EDT Post subject: Re: More on the library |
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| Isn't all this jabber and work that the TC and staff have to do in regards to the Library's inquiries costing us money? The TC and staff could focus on COAH, taxes, other serious issues rather than spend their precious time on the Library's inquiries. That is the real waste here...TIME. |
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