Letters to the Editor - Rethink settling on library - Rethink settling on library

Every time the subject of Webber Park Library comes up, I am more and more frustrated. Hennepin County Commisioners Opat and Stenglein truly counted their chickens before they were hatched. They created a plan for this library without neighborhood input. When the plan was presented to us, they had already decided where they wanted it and how they wanted it built. They assumed they could get all the properties they wanted and the agreement of the community. Now they want to vilify the Hollers for wanting to keep their home on the parkway, live in it and work nearby, insisting that the Hollers had removed their home from the market at the last moment, which is untrue. 

Commissioners Opat and Stenglein will appear to listen to ideas for alternatives from the local community, but not consider them because it is “settling.” What is waiting five to 10 years for them to get their way? It sure isn’t public service, unless only Opat and Stenglein are counted. I checked into the process for this type of project and was even more disappointed. There are many projects going on at the county level and it takes many years to move these projects through. Waiting five to 10 years for this type of project to move forward is not unusual. They can do it; they can make us “settle” for waiting. The only real representation we have here is through our city council member because the county cannot act without the city’s cooperation. I am very disappointed in how this process was handled and would be very happy to consider other candidates for county commissioner, ones that are truly receptive to the people they are supposed to represent.

Anne Peiffer,

Victory