No other city or area in Adams County approved of the Rangeview Library District property tax increase last November more than the residents of Northglenn. Why did the residents of Northglenn give the issue the highest percentage of victory? A flyer was distributed to all residents with these ominous words on the front page:
Northglenn Library To Be Closed!
Help keep this headline from becoming a reality...
Vote YES on 5A to
SAVE OUR LIBRARY
Paid for by SAVE OUR LIBRARIES committee,
Ray Coffey, Treasurer
In case you didn't know, Mr. Coffey is a member of the Rangeview Board. There is no question as to the Library Board's involvement in the issuance of the flyer. On the back of the flyer one of the points is that the Northglenn library will be relocated. The Board had made it known that the facility had many problems, including parking, and they wished to move the administrative offices to the location.
When word got around in September that the Board was looking to reconstruct the branch in Thornton, west of its City Hall, some members of the City Council and many residents became very upset. One member of the Council, Jim Miller, initiated a one man campaign to find an alternative site in Northglenn that met the Board's criteria. It eventually came down to Winburn Park. The park is located on Huron Street just a couple of blocks north of the present Northglenn Library location.
During the period leading up to the election, Councilman Miller pressed the issue with newspaper articles, blog postings on YourHub and in dozens of conversations with the Council, residents, and with the Library Board in particular. To make a long story short, City Council member Miller and the Interim Manager, asked the Board in a presentation to consider the alternative site. The Board demanded a firm commitment before the election. Because the park contained a land restriction on its use, the Council explained that they would need to obtain approval from the voters before making a commitment. That fact was all it took for the Library Board to reaffirm its position favoring the Thornton site.
Since the election another site became available in the city. The Board is willing to consider an
additional library at the location provide the City comes up with millions in permanent financial support. I will share the information on Tuesday the 13th. In closing I would like to point out why the Rangeview Library Board members can afford to be so cavalier in their actions.
The District's Board members are appointed by the County Board of Supervisors. They are however not subject to the jurisdiction or control of the elected County Board. They have no accountability to the public. The County can replace the members one at a time when their terms expire but that is the total extent anyone has over their actions. Maybe we, the residents, should change that.