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Brazil, Indiana ~ Tuesday, January 6, 2009
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The new and improved Brazil Public Library
Posted Thursday, June 12, 2008, at 3:07 PM<< Previous | Read comments | Respond | Email link | Next >>
Well, it is open again. The NEW improved Brazil Public Library, updated and ADA compliant with an elevator.
I have been a patron of the Brazil Public Library for more than 15 years. The staff has always been very helpful if I had a question. There was some delay in the reopening due to things not being done correctly the first time, not passing inspection, or not being completed on schedule by the contractors. These are things that can happen on any project and did on the last major construction in the county, the Justice Center, also. I, for one, do not understand why there are not penalty clauses written into the contracts governing public works that cover these things and cost overruns. Perhaps if that didn't eliminate these types of problems, at least it would be easier for the public to swallow. I am a person that thinks you should do what you say you are going to do or the fault is yours. The new building is a lot more spacious. There are a lot more computers for public access. You can find the paperback books without having to cross the street. There is handicapped parking. They have greatly improved the children's section. They have continued their summer programs for the children. My wife has had her run-in, if you could call it that, with the librarians already. It was on her first trip. She asked the two librarians working that day if she could leave books on the counter while she waited for me. She reads mostly books by one author while I may browse for an hour. Both of the librarians cheerfully told her that it would be OK so my wife left most of her books on the counter, sat down, and started skimming through one book. One of the librarians commented to the other that they couldn't make a habit of storing books on the counter. My wife mentioned it to me when we got into the car. It didn't take long for her to understand that if every patron did what she asked, soon the counter would be utter confusion. Come on, pick up a book, take a trip through time or space or expand your mind. Comments Showing most recent comments first [Show in chronological order instead] |
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I see no evidence that there was ever a sidewalk on this section of Ridge Street. I have inquired as to the absense with the previous two administrations and was assured that it was in the plans, but was awaiting availability of funds, as is the resurfacing of the street. I wouldn't use the sidewalk that much anyway, but it bothers me to see people walking in the road especially with some of the driving that I've observed in front of the house. There seems to be more traffic on this section than the amount of homes and businesses on it warrants. I avoid using Ridge as much as possible and wonder why people try to fly down it instead of using Pinckley. I sit here and listen to the vehicles rattle by. I have to wonder if the drivers are deaf or that they don't realize that their car will stop rattling one day when the pieces fall off.
The lawsuit filed in Feb. 2001 over sidewalks focused on sidewalk repair. Unfortunately, nothing I can find about that suit gives mention of absence of sidewalks. What a pity! I agree with Sassypants.....seems like a call to City Hall might be helpful. I don't know what a city resident has to do to qualify for a sidewalk. I do know in certain subdivisions within the city limits sidewalks are at the homeowners' expense. I would think if there are sidewalks to your east and to your west that you should definitely be entitled to a sidewalk. Perhaps yours has crumbled away!
Are sidewalks an ADA issue? I would check into that. I think if you live right in town, there should be a sidewalk for you. And if you are disabled, then that goes without question. Have you gone to city hall and asked our mayor why you do not have a sidewalk? Seems worth a call to me!
The answer to why I made so little comment on the library project is the fact that I have a life other than writing these articles, I've been busy researching our schools and commenting on that, and, basically, I just didn't have the time. I was speaking with Paul Sinders a few weeks back when it struck me, no one has the time to attend all of the government meetings that occur at the local level. Off of the top of my head, I don't think that I can even name all of them that I should be sitting in on. I agree that we need a watchdog at the library meetings too, but my plate is full.
I was not overly impressed with the library's project as to the selection of the companies involved.
While the library does impact our community, it does not have the impact that our schools do, which is why I am more concerned with them. If I was to concentrate on what would affect me, myself, most, I would be writing constantly about West Ridge Street's condition and the fact that there isn't a sidewalk in my block. The blocks to my east and west have, at least, a sidewalk on one side of the street. Every street surrounding me has a sidewalk, but I don't. Six blocks from the Brazil City Hall and I may as well be living in Carbon, Cory, Poland, Staunton, Bowling Green, or Martz.
I cannot say that I have ever had a bad experience with the people at the library.
My concern is mainly an accountability issue. Also where was the oversight on our tax dollars.
It is amazing that we just seemed to accept the fact the library was not opening. The loss to the area was just ignored by most people and for the most part the press.
I realize that we have a "community newspaper" but I feel that it totally ignored it's responsibility. All I ever saw were mainly quotes from the same few people over and over. Where was the sense of outrage on the part of the people?
My rant for the day...
Perhaps I should frequent the local library to see if I am treated rudely. I can't comment on rudeness unless I see it or experience it on a personal level.
I did, however, know the library annex was still open during the remodeling. But, as I mentioned, I don't go to the public library because I simply have no need.
Lovely day, eh?
bigpappy... your thoughts???
I have been in the lirbary, not since it re-opened, and noticed the rudeness several times. If I treated the people I work with in that rude a manner, I would not have a job.
And I have to agree, Leo. You blast the schools for their spending practices, why did you give the library such a break? They wasted many of your tax dollars.
There needs to be some questions answered. Who is the person held accountable for these practices? WHAt are they doing with all the money they have been given.
Yes, they have a new buidling but what do they give me for my tax money???
http://www.bannergraphic.com/blogs/1149/...
Leo... read this one! They really got a hornets nest stirred over there!
I don't really think that there are that many patrons at the Library at one time, that if someone needed to rest their books on the counter that utter chaos would erupt. It's those kinds of comments within earshot of the patron's, that drive them away.
Why DID you give them a free pass? Why were the taxpayers denied Library service for so long? And what compensation do they deserve? After all, school children who might not otherwise have access to books and computers to do research suffered the most.
I have several questions about the Library fiasco. I call it a fiasco because if this happened in the private sector there would have been someone held accountable.
Why was Pyramid Architecture selected to do the project? They appear to have a problem with many of their projects. Besides Brazil they have apparent problems in Plainfield and Avon. Public projects there are either way behind schedule or have apparent major structural issues. Why was this company not researched better??
Who had oversite of this project at the local level? I do not mean Director Jill Scarbrough, who did she report to? Why were her concerns not addressed sooner? Was it the Library Board? Who sits on that board? Who appoints that board? Who does the board answer to?
Opening a project weeks late is understandable. Even a few months is forgiveable. But not over a year late. There is no excuse for that. School kids went for much too long without research facilities. Patrons went much too long without the facilities that there taxes paid for.
Thats my rant for the day...
Leo, you give the School Board a hard time for what you see as problems... Why did you give the Library and it's Board a "Free Pass"?????