Comments on: Library War Continues Between ‘Dysfunctional’ City And ‘Extortionist’ County

By: Christopher J. Lewis

Christopher J. Lewis — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:55:30 +0000

I live in the city. I like North County. My wife Yvonne and I thoroughly enjoyed last week’s Escambia County Farm Tour. I served on the Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission and had a chance to compare the county and city governments in detail. Escambia County has a well-run government. The City of Pensacola does not. Inside City Hall many big shots on the seventh floor whine all day about the evil Escambia County government. Mayor Hayward wants to be the Mayor of a countywide Consolidated Government armed with city and county taxing authority so he can do to Escambia county what he is doing to the City of Pensacola. However, Escambia County never gets credit for all it does within city limits to include this year’s $2.6 million forced contribution to the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency and its annual subsidy to the Pensacola Civic Center newly rebranded as the still old Pensacola Bay Center that mostly benefits downtown.

The Board of County Commissioners should terminate the interlocal agreement that allows it to provide most of the funding and Mayor Hayward to make all the decisions about the library system. The Pensacola City Council no longer plays much of a role in the library system recently downgraded, by Hayward and without any input from the City Council, from a department to a subordinate division buried under the city’s new Neighborhood Services Department run by a director who said he does not know anything about libraries. If the BCC forms a new Escambia County Library System, the City Council would probably agree to turn over all the assets of the existing library system within city limits. To save money, the Westside Branch Library and West Florida Genealogical Library should be closed with their assets merged into the Main Library. Centralizing governance and funding for the library system at the county level frees up about $1.5 million in the city’s General Fund that can be used to put more police officers on the streets, build sidewalks where none exist, etc.

By: Roll tide

Roll tide — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 18:22:34 +0000

They should close one of the downtown library’s because they are so close to each other and with that being said they should give the Century Branch back their hours. But in my opinion what I am thinking that they are gonna do is keep cutting down the Century Branch’s hours until its COMPLETLY closed. And the reason being for that it because they say we are “TOO” far out. We do want our Century library hours back, not only do us patrons want the hours back but so do the employees. They have went from working all day everyday to little of nothing. And explain to me how bills are supposed to be paid?????

By: marm

marm — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 06:23:51 +0000

Michelle H.
ROFL! Exactly what I was thinking

By: Oversight

Oversight — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:03:23 +0000

Yes, sieze control and then shut down those down town branches that are only blocks apart. City of Pensacola – be careful of what you wish for.

By: aam

aam — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:42:28 +0000

Where is the Strong Mayor in all of this? He should be talking with the head of the Library system and tell them to act as grown ups. I think a meeting between the two would be better for everyone before all of the mud slinging. I live in the north end of the county and do feel like the city is showing their disdain for us but would rather try to negotiate and then tell them we will keep our monies up this away.

By: Jane

Jane — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 11:42:59 +0000

It is past time for the County to stand up for the north end of Escambia County. Pensacola has been using our tax money to fund their projects for years and now it is time for the County to fund a few of theirs! I’m in favor of the County taking control of the taxes we pay. Oliver, Robertson and White have it right this time!

By: Mmoulton

Mmoulton — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 11:27:28 +0000

I like Commissioner Valentino’s suggestion to ’seize control’. The Pensacola City residents are also residents of Escambia County and pay taxes for both government entities. Therefore, a City resident is paying twice for library services. Valentino’s suggestion would be a win, win for city residents. The City ad valorem, property tax revenue, can be redirected from library services to something that is only serviced within the city limits such as park improvements, neighborhood enhancements, public safety services, resource centers, or sidewalk/road repairs or any other services that is not a part of an interlocal agreement with Escambia County. There is so much more the City will be able to do if the Commissioner(s) that represent citizens living in within the City of Pensacola city limits seize control of the library system.

By: Michelle H.

Michelle H. — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 11:18:07 +0000

Wow…reading this article was similar to witnessing an argument between my 8 and 6 year olds.