By:  Diane Benjamin

Information is harder to compare now that the Hales’ City Manager Reports are history.  Instead of transparency, he posts bits and piece of data and I have to put it together.  I imagine soon the bits and pieces will disappear because tax increases are much easier when government claims they need more dollars without any proof.

This is what Hales did post concerning the library for July 2016:  http://www.cityblm.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=11228

From the Hales City Manager report for July 2015:  https://blnnews.com/2015/09/03/library-madness/

Visitors:

2014 – 42,349

2015 – 33,717

2016 – 20,452

Items checked out:

2014 – 142,819

2015 – 132,776

2016 – 128,439

Of course the Pantagraph didn’t question Board President Carol Koos when she stated the library serves a growing population which means a growing budget.

The new library Director Jeanne Hamilton stated that more money is needed for the library expansion and Illinois cut their funding $36,000.

I realize government at every level has a problem with facts.

Now you do know the facts.  Does the Bloomington City Council realize that technology is changing, traffic at the library is WAY down, and items checked out is WAY down?

There is no need for a tax increase or a library expansion unless the new purpose is a free social and fun club at taxpayers expense.

The aldermen should demand a full three comparison and explanation before stealing more of your money.  They should also demand Board members and employees use facts instead of spin.

 

 

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