Excerpt: The vote carries implications far beyond the chairman title. Democrats enjoy a 5-4 majority, but Cogdell has become a swing vote when the board sets spending priorities.
In announcing his candidacy for chairman, he sent commissioners a letter suggesting the county lower its debt and lower the property tax rates - two articles of faith among board Republicans.
On Tuesday, he voted with four GOP members to pick Republican Jim Pendergraph for vice chairman over Roberts.
"My biggest issue with Roberts is she consistently worked to expand the size of government," Republican commissioner Neil Cooksey said before voting for Cogdell. [Emphasis added.]
Cogdell declared he is still a Democrat, drawing jeers and mock laughter from the crowd. He then made clear his votes would not be tied to party loyalty.
As you can see from the long list of related posts below, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, 1995 LJ/Gale Library of the Year, has been forced to reduce its service program and cut branch operations recently, issues which the the Future of the Library Task Force was charged to address.
Note the last sentence on the first slide: The Library is the managing partner, who delivers the services, and the County is the funding partner, who provides funding for these services.
As Board of Commissioners Chair, Jennifer Roberts strongly supported the Library's Sustainability Plan.
In light of Roger Cogdell's election as Chair, has the Library's relationship with Mecklenburg County been weakened? First off, perhaps, we should ask him if he agrees with Neil Cooksey's assessment of Jennifer Roberts.
The library is, after all, very dependent upon county funding for its operation.
Is this too big a piece of pie for Cogdell?
Related articles:
What to do with Charlotte Mecklenburg's main library. (11/13/2011)
Volunteering. (6/24/2011)
County Manager proposes $3.26 million increase to library budget. (5/29/2011)
County Manager recommends a $2 million increase to CML budget. (5/18/2011)
Most chilling fact to consider here. (4/22/2011)
"Save our library" say Matthews residents. (4/1/2011)
Charlotte Observer survey: Can you find $2 million in this budget to give to Mecklenburg libraries? (3/25/2011)
Task Force presents final report. (3/22/2011)
Task Force to present report to joint meeting of Mecklenburg County Commission and Library Board. (3/19/2011)
Task force walks on eggshells. (3/17/2011)
Charlotte Mecklenburg 'Future of the Library Task Force' report to be aubmitted next week. (3/16/2011)
Recriminations? No. But you can't avoid the facts of the matter. (3/13/2011)
The battle of the branch libraries. (3/8/2011)
Survey influences Charlotte Mecklenburg's Future of the Library Task Force. (3/5/2011)
$7.50 per household per year to keep 6 branch libraries open? Sounds reasonable to me. (3/4/2011)
Up to 6 libraries could close under proposal. (3/2/2011)
Tuesday vote of Future of Library Task Force likely. (2/27/2011)
Future of the Library Task Force to release recommendations soon. (2/8/2011)
Banker to lead Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. (1/22/2011)
And what about the cost of a joint library-county study committee? (12/22/2010)
The future does not look bright. (12/9/2010)
Library boosts fines, fees. (11/23/2010)
CML libraries and parks: Survey says... (10/26/2010)
Future of the library task force. (10/21/2010)
Volunteers to the rescue. (10/17/2010)
Charlotte Observer to Harry Jones: Check your ego at the door. (9/21/2010)
County manager regrets hitting the 'send' key. (9/18/2010)
Library steering committee veers into off-road territory. (9/15/2010)
Bank of America and Carolina Panthers kick off library fundraising campaign. (9/14/2010)
Another branch extends hours thanks to volunteer support. (9/12/2010)
Volunteers step up. (9/10/2010)
2 branch libraries to open one more day per week. (9/5/2010)
Library urban legend in the making? (9/4/2010)
Library launches pilot program to expand hours with volunteers. (8/31/2010)
Group to study county library merger. (7/28/2010)
Book stores help out the library. (7/21/2010)
Libraries hope to expand hours with volunteers at 4 branches. (7/20/2010)
Another change in hours. (7/18/2010)
Matthews branch library sends out plea for volunteers. (7/13/2010)
Most county commissioners cool to sales tax hike. (7/9/2010)
New hours in effect. (7/6/2010)
Charlotte Observer editorial board laments the passing of the Novello Festival of the Book. (6/28/2010)
Shuttered branch could become Friends' used book store. (6/25/2010)
A reduced future. (6/23/2010)
Interlocal cooperation pact. (6/22/2010)
Three branches close. (6/19/2010)
Town of Mint Hill perspective. (6/18/2010)
Five towns tentatively OK $730,000 for libraries. (6/18/2010)
Carmel, two other branches to close. (6/16/2010)
Now that the ax has fallen. (6/16/2010)
Commissioners to vote on budget today. (6/15/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries: It's complicated. (6/9/2010)
Mayor wins straw vote at emotional council meeting. (6/7/2010)
Editorial: Should city 'stay in its lane' on libraries. (6/4/2010)
County commissioners restore some cuts to libraries. (6/4/2010)
Straw votes begin on Mecklinburg County budget. (6/3/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries continue to look for one-time financial help. (5/31/2010)
High school junior speaks out eloquently for libraries. (5/30/2010)
Mayor Foxx on the art of governing. (5/30/2010)
Mayor supports financial help for library. (5/27/2010)
County budget: Oh, yeah, this is fair. (5/25/2010)
Bailout proposal not gaining traction. (5/23/2010)
Library trustees vote to close 4 branches. (5/20/2010)
Mecklenburg County tightens its belt. (5/20/2010)
County manager cuts $14.7 million from library budget. (5/18/2010)
2010-11 Mecklenburg County budget to be unveiled today. (5/18/2010)
North Carolina woman plans on "going straight to the top" to keep Charlotte libraries open. (5/16/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg officials ask local municipalities for $3 million contribution. (4/30/2010Library Board chair speaks out. (4/25/2010)
County commissioners seek ways to ease library cuts. (4/23/2010)
Mecklenburg County needs to reduce $85-90 million deficit. (4/16/2010)
County manager takes library board to task. (4/10/2010)
Libraries now open fewer hours. (4/6/2010)
"Save Our Libraries Sunday". (3/29/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg users owe average of 55 cents in fines. (3/27/2010)
Library announces new hours for branches. (3/26/2010)
Library Board applies a Band-Aid to its bleeding system. (3/25/2010)
Follow-up on Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board vote. (3/25/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board votes to keep all branches open. (3/24/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board presented with 2 budget-cutting alternatives. (3/24/2010)
More and bigger cuts looming on horizon. (3/23/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System Rethinks Closings. (3/22/2010)
A New Day is Dawning in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County. (3/21/2010)
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