Dear Editor,
Re: “Library hours cut back,” News, Dec. 16.
The priorities of this mayor and council are mind boggling. The library is asking for an additional $200,000 in funding, but the powers that be said “no.” Instead, let’s reduce operating hours by a total of 26 hours per week across three branches, thus saving $200,000. Let’s penalize the young, the elderly, the less fortunate, but let’s spend on mega projects for the few.
At that very same council meeting, Mayor Brodie asked for and got $400,000 for additional restoration for the Steveston Interurban Tram. This is the same dilapidated tram which Richmond acquired years ago, spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on restoration in addition to more than $2 million dollars on the “barn” to house the tram.
This is no ordinary barn. Everything is special about this barn. The glass, the siding, the heating and air conditioning and of course humidity levels. Apparently, the tram needs a new roof to “protect it from the rain on days that it is rolled outside.” Really? Does it have to be rolled out on rainy days. In addition to a new roof, we will be treated to new leather seating and brass fittings.
We now have $400,000 for the tram, $500,000 for a Japanese tall ship, plus hundreds of thousands of dollars for infrastructure for this ship. Let’s not forget the cost of Coun. McNulty’s trip to Japan with his entourage to “lock up the deal” with the crew of this tall ship. Crew? Total: $1 million dollars plus.
Get your priorities straight.
Gary M. Assaly
Richmond
