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Anne Barber |
Representatives of the city have issued statements that are absolutely damning toward the library director. If this reflects the attitude of our elected leaders, then why in heck hasn't the council/mayor expedited the departure of the library director?
Instead, everything proceeds happily along at the library. I go there from time to time and it's as if nothing happened, nothing is awry. And you'd have to say that's a good thing. All things being equal, let's all be happy and positive. In contrast with this I get reports about how the city manager is rather like the Wicked Witch of the West. Surely that's an oversimplification. Or maybe it isn't.
I must say that up until now, Anne has come out rather looking like the winner. Everyone is cheery at the library. City officials look sullen and "uptight" if I may use a term that was current in my younger years. Who would even want to run for city council after all this is over? Sheriff's deputies to protect everyone's safety? Three of them?
I have a personal bias in that I have long known Anne. I realize this is no guarantee that her professional behavior has been spotless. Appearances can be misleading, as they say. But I unhesitatingly take the stance that until shown real evidence to the contrary, let's support her. Did she commit an error in judgment? Well then let's fix the system.
But holy cow, we have been dragged through an unholy mess on this through our summer of 2025. The summer of never-ending rainfall. Looks like more could come tonight and tomorrow morning. I get my advisories from Fargo radio.
Beyond the issue of Anne's performance is the more far-reaching issue of whether libraries are just a vestige of past times. And frankly I subscribe to such an attitude. Libraries look clunky, inefficient and "analog." I have my laptop open in front of me right now. Is there any limit to the fulfillment I can get on this? But it's tough suggesting "we don't need libraries."
Well, we learned here in Morris that we no longer need a "senior citizens center." For years we saw the sign proudly displayed outside that place "Morris Senior Citizens." So the need for it vanished? See? That happens. What happened to the summer Prairie Pioneer Days headquartered at East Side Park? Gone!
What happened to the "Morris Community Church?" I'll give that church credit: it had Sunday summer services at East Side Park with music coming from the Killoran stage. I fondly remember that. I'd be working at my office at the old Morris Sun Tribune building. That's where Hottovy is now.
Institutions come and institutions go. Maybe our city manager feels basic skepticism about the public library and I would not indict her for this. But let's not resort to such a hostile assessment of the library director who is fundamentally likeable and comes from a well-established family here.
Remember Dorothy Hennen-Barber? Curt Barber owned the theater. I photographed Anne for the paper from when she was a little kid.
I was shocked by how city representatives chose to talk about Anne when the matter arose in the spring. It was so public! "Allegations of misconduct." Oh please.
There was a meeting on Anne's status on Wednesday. That's why I'm typing this blog post now. A knowledgeable friend updated me on what happened at the meeting. The whole thing isn't over yet.
Yes, the conclusion of Anne’s appeal was yesterday. It lasted 3 hours. The 2 attorneys have to write their conclusions and submit them to the city council by Sept. 19, I think. The council will make their decision which will be announced at their next council meeting on the 23rd. Then hopefully this will be closed. Mighty expensive endeavor for the taxpayers when a simple conversation with Anne could have cleared it all up back in February. You can thank the city manager when your taxes go up!
People are already crying about the tariffs: “I didn’t know I’d be paying more!”
Dumb asses. I can’t believe how uneducated some people are. Of course, Trump wants us dumb and desperate. Makes me absolutely sick to my stomach to see what he and his inept cabinet are doing to the U.S. We’re going to France in Sept. I might not come home.
Did you have any flooding with all this rain? We got some water downstairs but the next door neighbors had 12” of sewage water in their basement. Gotta count the blessings where you can find them.
I’ll be eating at the fairgrounds for the next 4 days! Hoffman parade on Sunday. Hope it’s not as muggy then. Feels like stepping into a sauna out there today!
Sent from my iPhone
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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