Wheaton City Council Still Quibbling Over Library Hours Ordinance

Link to July 21 Daily Herald article, "Should city mandate Wheaton library hours?"

Excerpt: On Tuesday, Councilman Todd Scalzo said there's no need for the law because library board members agreed to reopen the facility from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Fridays beginning in September.

"This ordinance can't be any more unnecessary," Scalzo said. "As far as I am concerned, the issue is totally moot."

Still, Councilman Howard Levine said he believes the ordinance is necessary and should go to a vote Aug. 2.

"I think the vote will provide some finality on this issue and give direction to the library for the future," Levine said. "Then we can all move on."

The proposed ordinance was drafted after city council members strongly criticized the library board for implementing Friday closures to make up for a $300,000 budget cut.

Some council members said they wanted to make it easier to remove library trustees who ignored the city's wishes. So in addition to restoring Friday hours, the proposed ordinance would reduce the term of future library board members from three years to two.

Library board President Colleen McLaughlin called the ordinance "nonsensical" and "unenforceable."

Related articles:
Mayor, council bully library board to restore Friday hours.  (7/17/2010)
Wheaton mayor, council members continue their hissy fit.  (7/5/2010)
Apparently, Scalzo's colleagues didn't take his advice.  (6/30/2010)
'Take a deep breath' advises Wheaton council member.  (6/20/2010)
No Friday hours at library irks council members.  (6/10/2010)
Bad news/good news.  (5/21/2010)
More budget cuts could lead to no Friday hours.  (3/20/2010)

Outpouring of Support for Wheaton Public Library.  (3/6/2010)