There’s a Facebook group called “You know you’re from Sycamore, Illinois when…”. I just took a screenshot of it in case somebody deletes something later. Anyway there’s a nice photo of the Sycamore Public Library posted along with this description:
For those of you who haven’t been back to Sycamore for some time, this is a foto of the new library. Instead of tearing down the old one, we added a large addition to the east side of it in 1997. It is two stories and has room for a large meeting room and kitchen area. I think the addition ties into the old building rather well. At the east end is a large parking lot.
One commenter on the post notes that there was a lot of opposition to the Sycamore Library expansion and to paraphrase, he was proud of the work he and others did to overcome it. That is a nice comment. Nobody called anybody names.
Then there is Kris Povlsen’s comment:
We are doing the same here in DeKalb to the Haish Library. The anti idiots are always going to oppose all progress. Over the years I have learned to ignore them and do what is in the best interest of the community.
I don’t belong to the group, but found out about it because others who do belong thought it was a horrible thing for a mayor to say.
The probability that the mayor thinks of me as an “anti idiot” is high. But he could hardly be more wrong. I, and others like me, do not generally oppose things like library expansions. For myself, I know that the DeKalb Public Library (formerly known as Haish Library) needs an expansion, and I don’t oppose one. I do oppose building more than we need and running roughshod over the rules to get it done, which is what has happened. Big difference.
Mayor Povlsen will be gone soon, but there are plenty who inhabit city hall who have the same mindset.
4 comments
Comment by Anson MacDonald on October 21, 2012 at 5:54 pm
Sycamore Library did a wonderful job with their refurbishment completed earlier this month. Kudos. Bright, inviting space. And next week, they are hosting a miniature golf event IN the library? How cool is that?
How are all those updates at the DeKalb Public Library going which Polvsen promised would be happening in 1997 when he was a fledgling alderman? Did they break ground yet?
He’s running out of time to get his name on the plaque for the new addition! But hey, $90,000 for a DeKalb Theater sign is a higher priority to his honor.
Comment by Kay Shelton on October 21, 2012 at 8:08 pm
I am completely anti-idiot. I wish all idiots could be voted out of political office. Mike Royko was anti-idiot, too. He wanted a special tax for every time someone (like a politician) did something stupid.
Comment by Kerry Mellott on October 21, 2012 at 10:30 pm
I, too, am anti-idiot. Reading the news today, I noticed the CEO of Caterpillar, in declaring what’s wrong in the Illinois business climate, questioned why voters keep re-electing the same politicians. Perhaps that CEO is also anti-idiot.
Now, let it be known whatever Mayor Povlsen thinks I am, I am not anti-library. In fact, I took an active part in working to expand the Malta Township Library several years back. Libraries are excellent tools for citizens in so many ways.
However, I have spoken out frequently regarding the poor planning and procedure used to attempt expansion of the DeKalb Municipal Library. I would not call the people involved “idiots”. I try to respect anyone volunteering in public service. But I will call anyone to account when they appear to be circumventing the intent of law.
I, too, am for the best interests of the community, but I want to see things done decently and in order, in alignment with our laws.
Comment by Anson MacDonald on October 21, 2012 at 11:26 pm
Kerry, the laws in this regard, open meetings and freedom of information, barely cover the basic rights. We can do better. We need to elect officials whose appointments go above and beyond the call of duty in terms of transparency and public participation in processes. It’s tough to be accountable.. takes more time, more disclosure is necessary, etc.
But if that’s not your calling, you do not belong in public service. And that’s the problem with a lot of our local elected officials.
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