Why is it "kudo's"? Big D showed his ignorance by comparing the library to the hospital and the hoops they need to jump through. First of all the hospital is a profit organization and the library is non-profit (or has that slipped our minds to suite our opinions). Secondly, the hospital was threatening a small town, with leaving the community, and removing the largest tax base (and largest employer) in town. I don't find that scenario at all comparable to the library. Dennis, as usual, just spoke out of ignorance and should stick to the wrestling columns.

I agree that the "for profit" status sets these two projects apart. I don't agree that they are totally different. The library won't move if it doesn't expand but without expansion, there is always the possibility that funding will dry up and the library will close. Listen to the arguments the library is making and read between the lines.

The hospital provided a vital service to the community also. It went about expansion a different way. They decided to buy land to expand instead of asking that land be given to them. The residents didn't like the fact that they were expanding more into their neighborhood. I would think that if they close Main St or Griffen St., they would have caused an even greater fuss.

Lets give D credit for stepping out of his comfort zone and taking on a divisive topic.

But you're missing the point here. The library being a non-profit would not have the funds necessary (without raising our tax base) to expand or move. The hospital, being a profit organization should have the funds (if they are planning an expansion) to fund it separately and therefore should be charged for the land they are going to profit from. Charging the library for the street to expand into is ultimately only hurting our own pockets. There is give and take with any business decision and this is a business decision in this economy to not raise our taxes. Or we can charge the library, if you think that council will use those funds wisely (yeah OK). So its a little give and take and I believe we're making the best decision given the circumstances. Dennis, again, should stick to the wrestling.

"But you're missing the point here. The library being a non-profit would not have the funds necessary (without raising our tax base) to expand or move."

But they are raising the funds to expand. $6.5 million worth. $500,000 more for property acquisition through private donations does not hurt my wallet unless I choose to donate money. Council will not use the funds wisely (or at least cannot be trusted to) but if that is the argument, why should we pay taxes???

So where am I going wrong? So lets charge them another $500,000.00 to acquire the street area and then see it come back in the form of increased taxes. How does that help???? This is a non-profit organization. What part of that is not getting through? My original argument was Big D doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground (unless he's talking about the figure 4 leg lock) and I still stand by that. If you believe his commentary was on cue, well then, that should tell you all you need to know about the arguments against the library expansion.

Whoaaaaaa Sparky. We don't charge $500,000 for the ROW. We allow the Library to buy adjacent land. Just because they are a non profit doesn't mean they are entitled to free public land. What next? Do we give the Clinic all of Church St.? Do we close off Main St. for the Historical Society?

And another thing . .. . .Don't think I didn't scare myself when I realized that I was agreeing with D.

Is the School Board on board with this project? I mean- big bucks have been wasted on the elementary school failure and it looks like the board members are randomly slicing and dicing away at things for the kids with gestapo-like tactics. How can funds for a major library expansion be justified when all of this other stuff is happening?

The expansion is being funded through fundraising and not through PASD's capital plan.

I was just throwing a number out there "Sparky Foohey" for arguments sake. But obviously you just like to argue. So then, maybe, you and Big D can tell us how charging the library for the street benefits us? And why that would make the proposed, and heavily debated library expansion, all of a sudden acceptable? You seem to be drawing a straws and just playing devils advocate.

Mr Foohey, tell us in your infinite wisdom what you would do to make the library relevant and move into the future. Fill us in oh divine one.

I love it both Handwork and D do not pay a lick of property taxes.