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Lost in the conversation about support for the branch libraries was the premise of my answer to the CSNA forum question and also at the LWVE forum. I said the appeal of the branch libraries needs to be broadened beyond families with small children or people within walking distance so that the branches have more support among all the people of Evanston. With more general support, they would become less of a budgetary football.

At this late stage in the campaign for 7th ward alderman, several issues have arisen that truly allow the voters to draw distinctions between the candidates. However, on the issue of a separate taxing district for the library system, I'm not quite sure what my opponent, Jane Grover, thinks.

Creating a separate taxing body, whether for the libraries or recreation (as in Wilmette), or a community mental health board, doesn’t necessarily lead to increased taxes. And while we have an excess of taxing bodies in Illinois, the separate existence of a taxing body increases the expectation of transparency and accountability for that entity’s levy and budget. 

While Jane Grover is rightly basking in her "highly recommended" evaluation ( not endorsement), let's take a look at her campaign site response to the CSNA evaluation.
Ms. Grover claims she will "be a disciplined and responsible steward of taxpayer dollars", she is for an "accountable & transparent City government" and she "will change the tone of discourse in Evanston". Jane also claims, she will be an "independent voice".

Rather than shying away from the "third rail of the 7th Ward" – the North Branch library– we should be engaging in a full and open discussion of the whole Evanston library system and the consequences of our commitment to branch libraries for the city’s budget. 

I hope that economic realities and community planning lead us to the conclusion that the Civic Center should stay where it is, but we can't be afraid to ask the hard questions that get us there.  Short-sighted thinking dictates preservation of the Civic Center in the former Marywood Academy at all costs and without questioning the long-term repercussions for Evanston's finances and implications for this community's aspirations as a sustainable community. 

March 27, 2009 on 9:27 pm | In Dinges for Evanston Mayor | No Comments

 
For the 6th Ward I will…

• establish regular office hours
• solicit and listen to your views before expressing my own in the Council chamber
• draw upon my experience and personal network to get things done for you

 For the entire City I will…

Jeff, Thanks for the letter. I know it was probably an oversight, but I too am running for re-election.  I have lived in the same house for over 50 years ..five houses from Central Street and I am a member of CSNA.
 
Assessor Eckersall