Fundraising Efforts

Link to YNN article.

Mendon, a town of maybe 10,000 people, have raised over $300,000 for their new addition to complete their library project.

Link to MPL's website.

YNN article from last year about their fundraising efforts.

Irondequoit, a town of over 50,000 people, have raised less than $10,000 for....whatever it is they're going to do with the libraries.

Link to IPL's website.

Here's An Opinion

It's a guest essay in the opinion section of the online D&C website.

There are a couple of facts in there.

Like, the quote from the Supervisor about Congel doing something.....ANYthing...at Medley.

"It should get going this year if all the stars align. It will be fabulous for Irondequoit"

I think the planets are aligning with the center of the galaxy this year....I don't know about stars....but I'm not so confident that he'll do something before we all die on December 21st, 2012!

The other fact is this quote from the Supervisor about getting a lot of comments about the libraries.

" she gets an awful lot of pressure from residents to consolidate Irondequoit's library branches."

The writer asks that she substantiate these requests.

It is a fact that this guest essay appeared on the D&C's website on February 1st, 2012 - but it is now an opinion that this letter appeared there today because I wrote about it on the blog.

If you want to know if it is a fact that this letter appeared on the D&C website today, please call the library at (585) 336-6060 or (585) 336-6062 to get the facts.

Thank you.

Dangerous Precedents

 The Town Board meeting on Tuesday, December 20th, 2011 - during the Public Input portion at the beginning of the meeting - Barone went up to speak, finished his input, then the board called Tamara D., but she wanted to speak about the MP at the Public Hearing. Then the board calls "David Allen" - and Barone says that he is there to read a letter from David Allen because Mr. Allen could not attend the meeting.

MJD says "I don't think you can do that, sir."

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The Noi$e Of Water$

 "All Day I Hear The Noise Of Waters"

All day I hear the noise of waters
Making moan,
Sad as the sea-bird is when, going
Forth alone,
He hears the winds cry to the water's
Monotone.

The grey winds, the cold winds are blowing
Where I go.
I hear the noise of many waters
Far below.
All day, all night, I hear them flowing
To and fro.

~James Joyce

Meaghan McDermott of the D&C had an excellent article early this morning about the SBWD paying back, with interest, what the Town has loaned them so far.  They think they can do this in two or three installment payments within the next two years.  They are also going to hire a "forensic auditor" to figure out how the finances got so bad.

From the article:  "The town collects payments from the district's customers and writes the checks for the district's own bills." and "The district pays the town $20,500 per year for the accounting services, said district superintendent Lindsay Putnam."

Also, "water district commissioners say they were blindsided to learn in August that the district didn't have enough money to repay the December loan, and that the district needed even more money to pay its September bills."

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MCLS Are Bullies

Link to IPost article for the proof.

“to assist the Irondequoit Public Library in forcefully pursuing a solution to your space and building needs.”

The MCLS wants to FORCE taxpayers into paying for a new library. If that isn't bullying, I don't know what is.

The MCLS claims that the Irondequoit Libraries have “failed to meet standards set for public libraries by New York State.”

What are those standards? If anyone on the MCLS board could point me in the direction of what exactly the NYS standards are.....it would be much appreciated.

Perticone's Statements About Libraries In Irondequoit

TBM Video - 1:59:34 mark.

He brings up the MCLS comments from their meeting - that they denied the matching grant for paving the parking lot because Irondequoit's libraries are inadequate, and since they aren't doing anything to improve the inadequacies - they should not get the funding for the matching grant to fix the library's parking lots.

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Very Nice, Library Peeps

A couple of blogs ago, I had posted a pdf. of a letter that Mr. Golan had sent to the Library about viewing contracts/negotiations.

Well, in the spirit of blatant transparency and honesty - the fine folks of the Library sent over the following documents detailing their CBA for 2008 - 2010 which shows they did receive 3% increases in wages in previous years, and the 2011 MOA (no date on this except that it's based on a 12/08/10 negotiation session), that shows they agreed to receive a 0% increase in wages for this year's contract.........

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Four Types Of Public Libraries

While I was thinking about the choices Libby offered at the presentation the other night - link to the video - she mentioned that there were 4 types of libraries. She mentioned School District libraries, which she said that Irondequoit could not do, and she said that she even called to find out.....then she said there were two ways for the library to get more funding - the town can give them more money, or they can become their own legislative district, and she went into a long explanation of a legislative district and the process that would have to occur in order to become one.

Let's see....SD Library....that's one. Funded through the municipality...that's two. Funded through a legislative district....that's three. What is number four?

She never mentioned number four. That would be an "Association Library".

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Crunchin' Numbers - Om Nom Nom Nom

So - I was thinking about the Library Presentation from Wednesday night - here's a link to the video - at around the 6:10 mark of the video, she starts talking about the Library finances and the challenges they face. She shows a couple of graphs with inflation rates that keep climbing, but the materials budget hasn't kept pace with the rate of inflation. At around the 7:05 mark, Libby says that in 2006 the materials budget was $270,000 and in 2009 it was $100,000. She's got one of the numbers right. (Hint: It isn't the 2006 number.)

I'm pretty sure most people at the meeting who are not familiar with the budgets and the dollar amounts in it walked out of the meeting saying "Wow. The libraries only get $100,000 from the Town. They need more money!" (Their budget is actually a little over $1.5 Million (from the Town) to the tax levy.)

It's a gimmick "they" accuse me of doing on here - snippets - only showing what I want to show to prove my point. That's what they did with that. It IS a campaign, and in campaigns.....what happens? They slant the message to win favorable opinion, and they only tell you what they want to tell you. Think back to the political mailers you have received in the past, and the claims on them. Ok, now come back to the present and think about this campaign. Got it? Ok, let's move on.

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Irondequoit Residents, Don't Forget

Your Library Board, and Political/Library Consultant Libby Post will be presenting their new logo and focus group findings tonight at Town Hall - in the Broderick Room at 7pm.

Be there, or be square, all you hipsters, if you care.

I don't know if ICat will have it live or on live stream on the website - but it will be recorded for viewing at a later time on vimeo I would imagine.

An e mail sent out to the Eastridge Alumni Association about tonight's meeting crossed my desk just a few minutes ago - encouraging the targeted group it was sent to - to attend tonight's meeting. The information in the e mail was provided by Library Foundation Board Member Miriam Ganze.

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TB Meeting Last Night

Another friendly, informative meeting from the Town Board last night. I honestly do appreciate the friendly "feeling" of the board, and people smiling and getting along nicely. Everyone is friendly. It seems to be a much nicer atmosphere to conduct Town business in, and I do have to say that I appreciate ALL of you participating in that on a consistent basis. It doesn't seem fake to me, it seems genuine. When you disagree on something it doesn't come off nasty at all, it's just people disagreeing.
It's ok to disagree on things, but I do like that you are civil and friendly to each other. I think it makes a big difference. I just wanted to let you know that, again, it's a good meeting.

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IDC & Misinformation

I was just checking out the IDC website to see if they had anything on there about the libraries, and sure enough - Irena Skrobach is on there to explain everything.



Phew! That explains everything! I feel so much better knowing that the Chair of the IDC is going to be accurate with information disseminated by the IDC website.

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IPL Concept Video?

Someone just sent me this along with a few comments. I don't know if this video is from a resident or the LB or anything, except that it was sent to me along with their personal views.

"this is a first draft before grand opening.

NOTE: The existing building is remaining and will be recycled into the new McGraw.

It's about time the East Side got something the West doesn't have.
This would be such a great new building on that site. This would create a new sense of pride in East Irondequoit never before seen."

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Campaigns - Not Just For Politicians Anymore

Did you know that your Irondequoit Library Board has determined that it is necessary to spend taxpayer money on a campaign to convince you that "one" library is what you want?

The Library Board has determined that "one library" is what you taxpayers want.

At their April monthly meeting and workshop, from the minutes:

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Q&A

Here are some questions that I have been asked in the past month.

Q: Is the ice skating rink going to be built?

A: No, not this year apparently. Camp Eastman land was not level enough to facilitate the ice rinks. I do not know if it's going to happen next year either.
3/3/10 MPN article on ice rink.

Q: Was Marty Piecuch fired?

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First Week Officially Over

I would imagine that "getting through" the first week is a tough one for the new Supervisor, but it seems to be going smoothly so far.

According to the twits (tweets?) at irondemocrats, "After 60 days transition, so far new administration at Town Hall has only appointed a new Bingo Inspector. 5:30 AM Jan 6th from web"

Really? That's it? Three whole days after they officially took office, they just appointed a Bingo Inspector?

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I-Post Goodies

A lot of "good stuff" in today's I-Post. A Q&A featuring each candidate responding in 100 words or less, a sampling of their ideas, and comments on issues facing the town.

Unfortunately, Deborah Essley's comments seem to have been edited even though

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A Small Group Of People In Action!

This is a 6 page "letter" to....well.....everyone! That means you, me, and everyone else can read it.









Let me start out by saying that I think it's great that people are "organizing". That is what democracy is all about, and everyone.....and I mean EVERYONE has this right. The 1st Amendment of our glorious Constitution guarantees it. "....the right of the people peaceably to assemble...."

With that said, let me also say that I think it's great that a majority of people tell themselves that they think of Irondequoit as just Irondequoit, and not as a separate East Irondequoit or West Irondequoit.

Yes. I said "tell themselves". I told myself that too. I did it growing up, as a teenager, as a young adult....and to this day I say "Irondequoit" when people ask where I grew up. I don't specify East or West when talking about where I lived for my first 19 years of life.

I do, however, specify what high school I went to by saying East or West when relaying that information.

There's the problem right there. Irondequoit IS divided by East and West through the school districts. There's division. There's rivalry.....it was that way when I went to high school, and it's STILL that way today.

You're not going to get a "unified Irondequoit" until you unify the school districts into ONE school district.

You want to talk about waste of money by duplication of services? Good grief.

Until you work out that "division" - you aren't going to have the "unified Irondequoit" that we all hope for. Sorry. That's the sad reality of it. I'm not trying to be negative, mean or divisive....I'm just pointing to the most glaring "division" there is, and that this division necessitates consolidation to "unify" Irondequoit. Not to mention how it just might help out all taxpayers of Irondequoit if they were paying for ONE Superintendent and Administration, instead of two separate Superintendents and administrations.

Instead of being divided by some invisible NYS Department of Education line - people should be active in advocating for an Irondequoit Central School District - a unified school district - to get this ball rolling on the "One Irondequoit" unification idea.

Each district has a unique quality that won't be lost by consolidating the school districts. I believe that many people over the years have advocated for one district, but the NYSDOE has never seriously entertained the idea. I really don't know why.

Bluntly - I think it's so Stupid....Capital "S" Stupid.....to have two separate school districts with two separate Superintendents and Administrations in Irondequoit - then expect to "unify" the town with a new Library or CC. That one "quirk" of Irondequoit alone creates division, not unification. It's the "Town of Irondequoit"....yet there is an "EICSD" and a "WICSD". That never made sense to me.

Onto the letter.....

On Page 1:

"There are also over 40 private citizens who have already agreed to be part of this group to counter the negative and, worse than that, absolutely false information being presented as fact about an improved library and a centrally located multi generational, multifunctional community center."

I always read "the absolutely false information" line from a lot of people....but never see specifics. What "false information" is being presented as "fact"?

I have said that about "the opposition" too. That they have presented false information. But...I always back it up with quotes, e-mails, articles or FOI documents showing you what was "false".

For instance - MEH saying that the (CDBG) grant can't be used for Pinegrove, that the WISD owns the land around the building, that there are no plans to sell the Pinegrove building.....and more.....have all been proven to be....uh....not so true.

Aldersley at a board meeting, and others in e-mails, or letters to the I Post claiming that the Town only owns 5 ft. around the building, or it's landlocked, or the town only owns the building and not the parking lot etc, that King$ Pork is the best option right now.....

Mailers claiming that Pinegrove was unsafe, and that it is impossible to expand.

You may not want to "waste" tax money by fixing up Pinegrove......but right now I don't feel too comfortable committing to spending $40 million (up to possibly $100 million or more) on a consolidated library/community center so Irondequoit can "keep up with the joneses" and brag to other towns that "our library and community centers are newer and better than yours!"

Maybe if it was built in "stages", and when the economy looks better we could think about adding pools and theatres and all that other taxpayer funded stuff (federal grants or local taxes...doesn't matter....it's still taxpayer dollars....), and really......wasn't that "the plan" for King$ Pork? Putting the most "at risk" program there first (just the senior center) then making it a "Community Center"......tenants are/were leaving and freeing up more space to lease to consolidate the libraries.....maybe even getting a gym or theatre at KP? Baby steps. Stages....so it's not so overwhelming of a dollar figure each time.

Which......is a great idea! Leasing the space? Not so great. Even for a "temporary solution". We have buildings already.....deteriorating, "too small and poorly configured" buildings, but they're still buildings adequate for a temporary solution while other options are studied and DISCUSSED!!!!

DISCUSSED!!!! WITH EVERYONE!!!!! MAYBE YOU'LL EVEN ALLOW US TO VOTE ON IT THIS TIME INSTEAD OF "THE SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE" HAVING TO GO DOOR TO DOOR TO HAVE OTHER PEOPLE SIGN A PETITION TO FORCE A VOTE ON IT!!!

Oh my......pardon me while I clean up the blood from the vein that just burst on the side of my head......excuse me for a sec......

*Ahem*.....okay then.....

I honestly don't think "centralizing" the library is going to go over too well - again - and I'm talking about that "division".... E. Irondequoit residents will complain if it's located in W. Irondequoit......W. Irondequoit residents will complain if it's located in E. Irondequoit.

Remember how well the plan to close the Evans branch and "centralize" the library at the McGraw branch was embraced? Remember that?

MEH, when she first ran for Supervisor, was well aware of this delicate issue of library consolidation - and I quote: "I also feel that it is crucial for town government to listen to the voice of the residents, especially when it concerns the spending of taxpayer dollars. I truly believe your input is needed to encourage the development of our town, while maintaining a sound financial outlook. I know there are many issues which are extremely important to our residents - for example, the desire to keep two neighborhood libraries - and I want you to know that your voice will be heard."

She asked for your vote, with one promise being that she knew how important it was to keep two neighborhood libraries - and she wanted you to know that your voice would be heard.

Remember the "Images" survey results from two years ago? What did that show?


A resident went to the trouble of making an "Irondequoit Libraries Top Ten List" of reasons why the libraries should stay where they are.


Even 10 years ago, the "Black Survey" showed quite resoundingly that residents did not favor closing their neighborhood branches and "combining" the two into one centrally located library.







Yes, I know it was a survey from 10 years ago.....but a survey from 2 years ago showed basically the same things. They wanted "you" to keep and maintain/improve upon the branches. They even said in the survey that they would be willing to have an increase in taxes to support that.

Personally, I'm all for consolidation - at Town Hall Campus (and I'll tell you why in a minute). I'm definitely not in favor of leasing. Especially at King$ Pork.

I think the Library Board (with the exception of a few), and Terry Buford specifically, have done an incredible job of presenting their ideas, and their reasons for consolidation to the community. Mr. Buford is always available to answer any questions and inform residents of their ideas and recommendations, and to listen to residents and their concerns as well. The IPL site has a great page that links to all the studies and recommendations. You can view that here.

Again, I am for the consolidation of the libraries.....but I firmly believe that it has to be on "neutral" land if it's "gonna fly" with the residents.

Why do I favor a mixed-use (now where have I heard that before?) multi-use facility on Town Hall Campus?

Nobody from East or West Irondequoit can "complain" of where it's located if it's on Town Hall Campus. King$ Pork is less than a mile away from the Town Hall Campus (.80 miles to be exact)......so nobody can complain that it's "too out of the way" like they did about Pinegrove.

There will be some who really want the branches to stay where they are and be updated/renovated or whatever.....but I think it will be an easier "plan" to embrace if it's brought forth as a true "community" project at where the community gathers the most.

Town Hall Campus is beautiful. The Town Hall Building itself is majestic and houses the meetings our community takes part in. Families enjoy the quaint concerts at the gazebo. School children visit the Pioneer and Cobblestone houses to learn about our Town's history. Acres and acres of lush greenery as a backdrop to enjoy.

It's not "East Irondequoit Town Hall" or "West Irondequoit Town Hall". It's just Irondequoit Town Hall.


As for the rest of the "proposal", Mrs. Ganze says in her letter that "there are a few possibilities of where to locate" the consolidated libraries and "multifunctional" community center - but the "proposal" only lists one suggestion. Town Hall Campus. The "proposal" also states that they are not limiting it to a specific location - and other sites should be considered and compared - but doesn't manage to list any other sites.

There are no cost studies in this proposal.

It certainly is worth discussing, which should have been done an eon ago....... but remember how well a "small group of people forcing their ideas onto the rest of the Town" went over at the February Vote?

Does anyone really think that this "small group of people forcing their ideas onto the rest of the Town" is going to go over well with the rest of the residents?

I guess we shall see.


I can't wait to see specifics. You know, their estimates, and what grants they suggest applying for, or if they intend to survey residents to see if they'd be in favor of their "proposal" or not.

Hey...who knows....maybe there will be another special referendum in our future?

"Barnoniacs", be warned! The "Ganze Gang" is organizing! They have about the same number of people (40) that you had to petition.

Miriam Ganze said in her letter that:
"We will be working on communicating information about the project, networking with friends, op-eds, letters to the editor, website/email/other online resources, attending and/or speaking at town board meetings and eventually (before a referendum) add phone banks, postcards and other publicity."

Kinda like they did with the King$ Pork proposal. Is the IDC.....er.....I mean the "Seniors First Committee" paying for this too?

Well now....Baroniacs......the Ganze Gang will be having a little meeting the week of June 22nd.

If and when I find out the specific date and location......you can be sure I'll let y'all know so you can attend and be a part of this "community" proposal. We can't just let it be a small group of people with connections to phone banks and IDC.....er.....I mean "Seniors First Committees" to help pay for postcards etc. making all the decisions for all of us and spreading absolutely false, no...wait.....it was BLATANTLY false information.......can we?

As far as I've been told the past year........no, we can't.

I wonder if there will be any consistency in dealing with this "small group of people"......as the other "small group of people" and their ideas were treated?

Methinks not........