ABOUT 200 PEOPLE marched down Main Street in Huntington Beach on Friday evening to protest library “privatization” (Carol Daus photo).
The adoption of an ordinance creating a “community-parent guardian review board for review of procurement of children’s library material” tops the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting of the Huntington Beach City Council.
It was approved for introduction on March 19 on a 4-3 vote. The matter is controversial because of allegations of censorship and also as it comes at a time when the council majority is considering taking proposals for library services from private companies, which critics call privatization or outscourcing.
Supporters of the concept say that at a time when the city is facing a budget deficit, turning to a private operator may save money.
One of those offering to be the provider is Library Systems and Services, represented by former Huntington Beach mayor and council member Mike Posey.
Also on the agenda is a proposed ordinance charging a “police services” fee of $250 when police are called to break up a loud party.
The council will meet at 5 p.m. in closed session and at 6 p.m. in regular meeting at 2000 Main St. (at Yorktown Ave.)
Categories: Huntington Beach
So what happens when the majority of citizens returns to power and decides to vote away books you and your handpicked ‘committee’ actually voted out? Enjoy your abuse of power, Mayor plus three. We’ll see you next election at the voting booth! A bunch of authoritarians rapping them selves up and cloaked in the cloth of Democracy! Russia does not live here.
The community members voted them in and they are here to stay. I hope the Library Loonies learn from this.