EDITOR: Here is an update on the petition gathering by the
“Citizens for Civic Center Library Site,” a group that would
like the new library to be built behind the old library on the
Civic Center site.
EDITOR:
Here is an update on the petition gathering by the “Citizens for Civic Center Library Site,” a group that would like the new library to be built behind the old library on the Civic Center site. The petition signing and library location discussion has going well and the library users and citizens are responding with passion along with practical thinking and logic to support the Civic Center site. It is my observation and that of others collecting petition signatures that the Civic Center location is the hands-down location of choice of the citizens and library users (minus the downtown merchants, City Council and people with financial interests in the project).
The location of the new library is of critical importance to the majority of residents of the community. There is tremendous vocal support in the community for the beloved Civic Center site and anger at council members for wanting to move it against the citizen’s wishes. Most of the petition gathers are reporting that 90 percent of the citizens who they approach, sign the petition and frequently the person signing feels so strongly that he or she will take extra petitions for others to sign and return them later.
The vast majority of citizens who stated opinions are skeptical that a downtown location would truly help the downtown and do not believe it would significantly increase our sense of community. The idea of synergy is an illusion and people don’t buy into the Norman Rockwell-type downtown myth as the heart of the community. That concept is from a bygone era which we need to let go of it. Instead, Morgan Hill residences find “community” in places such as churches/places of worship, the new Aquatics Center, YMCA, health/fitness clubs, Senior Center, schools and various clubs and organizations. Government intrusion in “building-community” doesn’t always work and probably the best types of “community building” are naturally occurring.
Many people say that downtown is a lovely place but they aren’t interested in strolling around and going into the shops when they take a “library trip”. They think of downtown as the place for businesses and not a place for a library. Many library users reported that they would be less likely to go to the library if it were moved there, because of the inconvenience associated with downtown hustle bustle.
Interestingly, many petition collectors reported that the most negative reactions against the downtown site were noticed when they sought to get signatures near the actual proposed downtown site. At times, people expressed intense emotions when the owner/developer’s name was mentioned.
There is a strong sense that the Civic Center location is superior for meeting the needs of the library user. It is a setting that is much more beautiful, serene, calmer, and will have more landscaped grounds with room for a large outdoor library patio garden, has a great view of El Toro Mountain, and is just in general a more “library-like” setting. There is a generous amount of room on the property for future expansion and realistic true cost of this library with land will be significantly less since the city already owns the land. People expressed great concern about spending responsibly and many have the sense that city spending is getting out-of-control.
I am of the impression that the majority of the people signing the petitions feel that the downtown site is unacceptable no matter how much the City Council tries to convince us that traffic, congestion, parking would be mitigated. Many citizens expressed frustration that the City Council is not adequately representing them or listening to them as well as they would like. People reported that they have repeatedly stated their preference of location and many thought the final decision for the Civic Center had already been made. There is a lot of frustration about this and a feeling of betrayal by council members.
I have the sense that the citizens want and should have the final say on the library location. Public discussion should continue until July 21 and on that date the City Council should commit to building on the Civic Center site. If the council is unwilling to do this, put it on the ballot and have it be a binding agreement that the Civic Center site is the final decision.
As much as the council wants to kill two birds with one stone … to build a new library and to help revitalize downtown and build community, it is not going to work for most of the library users and the citizens. If you are interested in supporting the Civic Center Library site, you may contact me at Ma********@ao*.com or 779-7592..
Marie Lamb,
Citizens for Civic Center Library site,
Morgan Hill
