EDITOR: An issue being voted on at the next City Council meeting
on July 21, is where to build the new library, at its present site
or to build on the old
“Sunsweet” property in downtown Morgan Hill. There are several
good reasons to keep the library at its present location.
EDITOR:
An issue being voted on at the next City Council meeting on July 21, is where to build the new library, at its present site or to build on the old “Sunsweet” property in downtown Morgan Hill. There are several good reasons to keep the library at its present location.
First of all, the sheer natural beauty of the present location is something that all citizens can be proud of. The enjoyment of a visit to the library is enhanced by the graceful lines of colorful silk trees, the spacious rolling green lawns, the tall magnolia trees with their fragrant pure white blossoms, and the garden pond with the mini waterfall.
Just this spring, after the children’s story hour at the library, my 2-year-old grandson and I watched a pair of wild mallard ducks preening and swimming in the pond. What a luxury it is in today’s busy world to spend 15 minutes in quiet peacefulness. A trip to the library has been like a trip to the park. Children and adults alike appreciate these outings where we can enjoy life without spending money.
Are we to trade this idyllic scene for a two-story building surrounded by cement and a parking lot next to the train tracks and city traffic with all the extra noise and air pollution that go with a city location?
If the beauty of the current location isn’t enough to cause the councilmembers to vote in favor of the present location, then let us talk about money. As I understand it, building a new library in the designated downtown location will cost the taxpayers about three times as much money as building the library at its present location. According to the “downtown” plan, over the next 25 years, millions of public dollars will be shifted into private pockets to pay for the lease and purchase of the land at the new proposed site. Does this make any sense at all, considering the fact that the city already owns enough land to build the library at its present site?
Some say moving the library downtown will help revitalize the businesses there. I also, would like to see the businesses revitalized, but not at the sacrifice of our current beautiful library site. Using the public library for this purpose doesn’t make economic or aesthetic sense.
Finally, if the City Council can’t vote to keep the library at its present site, then I would ask them to put the issue on the November election ballot and allow the citizens of our community to vote on the issue. I urge every citizen who is concerned about this to attend the next City Council meeting at 7 p.m. on July 21 at the City Hall (across from St. Catherine’s Church on Peak Avenue).
Gabrielle Borgnino, Morgan Hill
