Letter to the Editor: Library Landscaping Project Questioned

To: Orcas Island Library Board

Dear Trustees,

It was brought to my attention recently that the Library Director on behalf of John Ashenhurst the Board’s President had applied for a grant from OICF for the proposed edible landscaping project for the amount of $3,055.

I was surprised that this was done on behalf of the Board’s President since John was so adamant about the Board taking action as a group.

I thought that Patrick Bennett and Joe Bullock as per Tom Welch’s suggestion at a Board Meeting would seek a grant request from OICF and that the Trustees would look at the proposed project from there.

This project was presented to the Board last year and the cost at that time was for $10,000 and it was not included in the 2009 budget.

I do not believe that this type of project is part of the Library Mission.

The Library should provide information to the public.

I do a lot of volunteer work in local landscaping projects and it is hard labor and it is very hard to find volunteers to support these projects.

There [are] so many immediate needs on this island that need to be funded right now and I have a lot of concerns of the direction of the Library District.

Thank you for your time,

Sincerely,

Pierrette Guimond
A  concerned citizen