Letters to the Editor

Might as well close Maitland

If Councilman Phil Bonus is trying to completely destroy Maitland, he shouldn't stop at shutting down the Maitland Public Library ("Bonus says close library", July 22). He should add a plan to tear it down, demolish the Maitland Senior Center, raze the history museum, get rid of the children's playground, drain Lake Lily and fill the lake in with all the rubble from the destroyed buildings. He could then build condominiums on the new land created.

Close down the Library? Not over my dead body!

— William K. Paton

Maitland

Library needs funds, not bulldozer

Councilman Phil Bonus sounds like an acolyte of Grover "drown government in the bathtub" Norquist. The Maitland Public Library is "outdated," "a poor value to the city," "lethargic" and "has failed to sufficiently adapt to modern trends"? Then, by all means, don't give it more money so it can do a better job — just shut it down!

I must be way behind modern trends myself, because I agree with Benjamin Franklin and Andrew Carnegie that it's good public policy to provide public libraries, rather than leave every family to read only those books it can afford.

I am an almost daily visitor to the Maitland Library, and I don't understand Bonus' allegation that it has failed to adapt. True, no one on the staff looks like Lady Gaga, but everyone is courteous and helpful. Certainly it could use more computers and an automated checkout system; but what it lacks is an argument for restoring the funds that have been cut from the library's budget, not for closing the library altogether.

I hope the majority of the Maitland City Council cares more about libraries than Phil "no courage of my convictions" Bonus.

— Angela Stockton

Clermont

Library needs to be energized

It never ceases to amaze me how some elected officials are willing to take away from the citizens of Maitland for the glory of the proposed Maitland Town Center.

Phil Bonus wants to take away the Maitland Library. Councilman Bonus declares the Maitland Library "has become lethargic…outdated….and a poor value". If true, have you not contributed? The last time the Maitland Library saw a major renovation was when I was on the City Council in 1984. That was 26 years ago.

And why is that? How many tax dollars have been spent on the "Downtown City Center of Oz"? Millions have gone to pay for planning, legal, staff time — all to fund a CRA that cannot pay the full amount of the CRA Transportation bonds. Who picks up the difference?

I'll tell you who, the taxpayers of Maitland.

Councilman Bonus wants to scale back the fire station and the city hall project. The citizens of Maitland voted to raise their property taxes to fund these projects! Don't you remember the signs all over the city asking voters to "save our firefighters"?

I am ashamed of you and all those who continue to believe in this CRA folly. When values stabilize or return to a point where it makes economic sense, then you may see some development. But until that time, you might want to consider doing what cities do best — provide services.

Mayor Doug Kinson has it right by stating that your proposal to close the library "does not take into consideration the impact on families and the community".

Part of what makes Maitland a great community are the venues that so many residents have worked and volunteered to keep. Volunteers such as those who put a new roof on the Civic Center, established the Maitland Little League, fought to stop the destruction of the Maitland Art Center, saved Lake Lily historical homes and volunteer for the Maitland Symphony Orchestra, which played at the city's 125th anniversary celebration. You apparently see none of this, so it's easy for you to just close it down.

Councilman, you're elected to a leadership position — do something positive to make a difference. Instead of criticizing the library as lethargic, try making suggestions to energize it!

— Bill Donegan

Orange County Property Appraiser