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Justice not given to citizens

To the Editor:
The year is 2003; the economy is in rough shape, unemployment among many is a reality, budget cuts are across the board, education takes a beating, a drought is at hand and farmers are hurting, those living under the poverty line continues to grow... Fast forward to
9-3-2003, the Chisago County Board passes a 6.5 million dollar library proposal.
I am not one to jump on the bandwagon or to flirt with issues I cannot control; however I sincerely feel that the board did not do justice to the citizens of the county they represent, notably the Rush City residents. Why does the county have to build and represent the libraries? What is wrong with having the city government that will house these library buildings and ultimately receive their economic benefits pay for and own them? As a Rush City resident I feel violated.
Our library system began as many as fifty years ago ñ it was once even supported by the local Womenís Club. Over the years we have been privileged to have it successfully maintained by our city government. The generosity of Rush City resident Dennis Frandsen for our building was also a privilege. Now, every resident of Rush City will be penalized by the Boardís decision to build North Branch, Wyoming and the Chisago Lakes area a total of 36,000 square feet of libraries. Could these areas done with fewer square feet? Rush City currently has 3000 square feet with limited hours of operation. Will the East Central Regional Library system be able to provide enough books, staff and other services for the size of these new libraries? It would be amiable for Rush City to now receive more operating hours with ECRL support.
Ideally one hopes when voting for any public official that they carry about them a certain type of wisdom. A wisdom defined as having the ability to look into the future and visualize its needs; to have knowledge enough to prepare for any consequences that todayís decisions may erupt. One can only hope that those who voted yes on the proposal and then no on the referendum proposal carry that wisdom. And that the ìYesî sticker of 9-3 does not sit empty in the years ahead.
Would it have been more democratic to bring this proposal to the people? I do believe it would have. I would like to thank Commissioners Robinson and Gustafson for their common sense voting.
Two points in closing: I believe the public attending this board meeting should have been able to address the board before their vote, not after it. Secondly, it would have been desirable for the general public to have had knowledge about this proposal and its impact much sooner than it was offered.
Erin Waters
User of Rush
City Library
Rush City

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