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September 13, 2008
Freeholder demands county take over libraries
By STAFF REPORT 09/13/2008
Mercer County Freeholder Tony Mack called on Trenton leaders yesterday to turn the city's financially troubled library system over to the county government - a consolidation that could save money.
"This is a step that should have been taken long ago,'' said Mack, who lost his bid to replace Doug Palmer as mayor in 2006. "Living in Trenton makes no sense at all these days under the current administration.
"Just two days ago we learned that only 23 percent of our fifth-graders met the state's passing score in language arts. Soon, it will be close to zero, when most of the children have no access to materials to read for fun, a leisure-time activity that contributes to their reading comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, background knowledge and general language development.
"The goal of the Palmer Administration has long been to try to attract more middle-class residents to move into Trenton. Well, here's some news: One of the staple amenities that middle-class people look for in deciding where to live is a vital public library system, such as we have in the Mercer County system, as well as the municipalities of Hamilton, Princeton and nearby Plainsboro.
"The decision to close the four library branches seems to have been made against the will of the library board, and certainly without council's consent,'' Mack said. "Palmer is not sharing with anyone his ideas of just how the city's money is to be spent, so no one can make any suggestions of what to cut in order to preserve the libraries.''
Mack's challenge to Palmer is believed to have prompted Mercer Democrats to decide against nominating him for another term as a county freeholder. He leaves office in January.
The freeholder accused Palmer of funneling money to "developers who never actually develop anything within the city limits'' and suggested that that money could have helped the library.
"It may be too late for a referendum on the November ballot for city residents to ask the county to take over the libraries. But this action must be taken as soon as legally possible.
"As soon as it can happen, such a move would save more than 10 percent in administrative and collection development costs. Let's not hope for private donations to solve the mess. Who wants to donate straight into a drainpipe?"
Posted by tumulty at September 13, 2008 4:20 PM
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