Step One

Step One: Admit there is a problem. (OK, that's been done.)

Step Two: Permanently fix the problem.





With all this orange on the front entrance to the public library, all that is missing is a BIOHAZARD sign.





Uh-oh. One side is blocked off, but the other side is falling apart again. What's the solution? Block the entire entrance?


I'll say it again: Why can't the city spend money to replace the steps instead of patching them up? Or will it say, "Well, there's only so much money in the library budget and we'll have to lay off people if we spend the money to fix the entrance."

Bullshit. Look at the new building at the downtown parking lot. The city spent thousands of dollars to clean up that site, bringing it up to environmental standards, so that a new office complex could be built. Meanwhile, down by the lake, the city cleaned up the old railroad and dock areas, even compacting the ground so that a new hotel could be erected. It even went ahead and built a parking lot -- even though the hotel hasn't materialized.

Yes, there is a budget crisis. But if the city can find funds for to help along both the office complex and hotel projects, it can at least come up with the money - a fraction of what was spent on those other projects - to permanently fix the damn library entrance.