From the editor's desk: Heading toward a compromise
By Pat Caldwell
Sunday, March 1, 2009 1:41 AM PST
There is more than a passing chance some kind of compromise can be worked out between the city of Ontario and the Ontario Library Board, and area residents will secure the opportunity to voice their opinions at a town hall session March 5. But, in a real way, the die may already be cast on this issue.
That’s because any chance the city had of working out a viable, quid-pro-quo pact evaporated weeks ago, and now many voters are simply exhausted with the subject and believe Ontario officials should essentially give the library building to the library district.
And there are those who believe the entire question regarding ownership is a moot subject because of the initial agreement inked years ago between the city and the state regarding funds for the facility.
At least for two people at the epicenter of the issue, there remains a glimmer of hope regarding compromise.
Ontario City Councilman Norm Crume said Friday that he isn’t set on any one course regarding the library but wants very much to hear what voters think at the upcoming town hall session.
“I’m open to hear the public,” Crume said.
Crume appears to subscribe to the democratic notion that, to make a good decision as an elected leader, he has to have as much input from voters as possible. He may very well gain that opportunity when the town hall session kicks off.
“I need to hear from them to know how to make my decision,” Crume said.
That’s not a bad decision by Crume. In fact, framed against some other judgments the city has made regarding the library, Crume’s sentiments are downright brilliant. Instead of sending wide-sweeping proclamations out for the public to digest, Crume seems to want to gather input from the public. What a concept.
Crume said he does not discount the issues on either side.
“It (the library situation) is very, very serious. I’m not numb to it,” he said.
Ontario Library District Board Chairman Donnaclaire Blankinship said she too is willing to entertain any and all ideas regarding the future of the library building.
“If we receive a realistic offer, we will listen,” Blankinship said.
Still, she said she isn’t entirely convinced a large monthly payout to the city from the library district is a good idea.
“At this point, I guess, I can’t see the advantage for the library district to pay rent,” she said.
Blankinship, though, said she is approaching the upcoming meeting with an open mind and looking forward to input from area voters.
“I don’t want to go into this as a battle. I would like to go into this meeting as a two-way conversation,” she said.
An open, forthright discussion will be critical, Blankinship said.
“We both have to come in with honest feelings about the people’s library. And it is not the library district’s building or the city’s. It’s the people’s,” she said.
Both Crume and Blankinship symbolize two contrasting views regarding the future of the existing Ontario library building.
But both also showcase a key sentiment — the willingness to listen — that separate average public servants from those who are clearly taking steps to be leaders.
The ability to actually listen — and not just act like it — usually pays off for elected or appointed leaders when it comes to interacting with voters.
At 6 p.m. Thursday at Four Rivers Cultural Center, officials on each side of the library issue will gain the opportunity to hear voters and, in turn, make a decision that’s best for the community. Let’s hope they take advantage of that opportunity.
Pat Caldwell is the editor of the Argus Observer. He can be contacted at PatC@argusobserver.com
