Henry Smorynski, Sartell
In the Dec. 11 Newsleader there was an insert from a group claiming to be the Friends of the Sartell Community. The insert insults the democratic efforts of more than 500 Sartell residents and 4,300 GRRL card-holding Sartell residents wanting a branch library.
The insert refers to a document on the city’s website that analyzes costs of the community center. No data or analyses are provided regarding benefits to residents of potential amenities. A branch library is undervalued by not addressing the benefits of the library. A cost analysis without a benefits analysis is not a thorough review and does not constitute an informed decision.
The insert asserts collaboration with the GRRL is unattainable. Collaboration requires the city to make serious efforts. It has not. It has allocated no funds nor has it defined an acceptable location for a library.
The insert is correct that residents have been waiting for a community center since 1999, but it challenges the view Sartell voters have already “approved” a library facility. This assertion is not based in reality. The 2014 voting question confused the issue by mentioning gyms and aquatics before the library, meeting rooms and senior center. There is no evidence since the 2007 city survey that voters have changed their historic commitments for a branch library. The open house and on-line survey on the center showed 70 percent support for a branch.
The council majority decision-making process did not adequately solicit resident input via either a survey or a series of public hearings. It excluded library advocates from participation in the location of the center. The majority voted for the southern site knowing its unacceptability to GRRL. The majority voted their personal preferences only, without adequate review of a branch library. City residents will likely be paying tax dollars for a facility that many will not use, especially those with limited financial means, due to fees and hour restrictions.