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Cincinnati.Com » Government
Last Updated: 2:19 pm | Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Library head rejects stimulus money
By Barrett J. Brunsman • bbrunsman@enquirer.com • March 10, 2009
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UNION TWP. - The president of the board of trustees of the Clermont County Public Library said Tuesday he is upset that $6.8 million in federal stimulus money has been requested to build a new administrative headquarters and a new branch library here.
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Voters throughout the county approved a tax levy in November that will raise $3.8 million annually, which is enough local money to pay for the projects, Joe Braun said.
"I think it's a completely inappropriate request," Braun said. "Just because the federal government keeps offering money doesn't mean people should take it, because at some point our children are going to have to pay all of this back. It's absolutely not free."
The library board met Monday, and Braun asked that the request for funds under the Ohio Federal Stimulus Initiative be withdrawn. The request was filed by David Mezack, director of the 10-branch system. He could not immediately be reached for comment.
However, a vote asking that Mezack rescind the request to Gov. Ted Strickland isn't expected until the library board's April 13 meeting.
The existing 8,200-square-foot branch in Union Township would be replaced with one encompassing 25,000 square feet, according to the library request. It would be part of a 40,000 square-foot facility, which would allow the library to relocate its headquarters from the county seat of Batavia and consolidate the administration, IT and marketing departments.
Mezack also requested $800,000 in stimulus funds to expand by 4,000 square feet the Amelia branch, which now encompasses 10,000 square feet. The space would allow for more services, including the addition of 20 public computers with Internet access. Another $10,000 was requested for a literacy program.
Braun said he is appalled by how many communities in Clermont County and Greater Cincinnati have applied for stimulus funds, even though he realizes some are unlikely to receive money.
"I think constituents should be saying (to elected officials), 'Why are you driving us further into debt?' " Braun said. "Only in a fantasy land do you spend and spend and spend and not have to pay it back."
Braun said he planned to protest by attending the Cincinnati Tea Party, 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Fountain Square downtown. Modeled after the Boston Tea Party tax protest of 1773, the rally is designed to pressure Congress to repeal the federal stimulus plan.
