You gotta give it to Daniella Levine Cava, the Democratic Party darling running in the non-partisan county commission race against incumbent Lynda Bell: She knows a good campaign issue when she sees one.
And she jumped on it quick.
The last meeting of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos “Tarnished Boy” Gimenez‘s blue ribbon task force for the library system wasn’t even over yet this Wednesday morning and Levine Cava was already issuing a statement in advance of the final report (even though the first drafts have apparently been made available to the blue ribbon people, who were providing feedback at today’s meeting).
Basically, Levine says the county — which may cut library hours from five days a week to four days at most branches — has to shift its priorities.
“Daniella Levine Cava believes we must continue to make our library services fully accessible to communities across Miami-Dade County,” her statement read before quoting the candidate, who made a reference to the ridiculousness of slashing library services while giving away millions in tax rebates and “economic incentives” to billionaires.
“We cannot shortchange or balance budgets on the backs of our children who deserve to have every tool available to succeed, nor undermine the critical services libraries provide to seniors and those lacking home internet and job seeking resources. We have to set priorities in the County and my priorities are to fund libraries and essential services rather than giving tax breaks to those who can afford to pay their fair share,” Levine said.
“The current proposal under consideration to waive property taxes for a sports franchise must be closely examined in light of the lack of funding for pressing community needs such as library services, public safety, and key social services.”
Boy, is she going to gain points with that.
And this, posted on Facebook Tuesday night: “There are tough choices, but the public has expressed its support for libraries, and we are one of the poorest funded systems. Let’s not be pennywise and pound foolish. We need a longer term vision and the courage to implement it.”
Bell voted in favor of the budget proposed by Gimenez last year that would have drastically cut library and fire-rescue services.
Levine was around last year for the multiple town halls where people begged the mayor to keep staffing levels and libraries open. The outcry eventually forced him to use reserve funds to keep libraries whole. But he warned that budget cuts may still be necessary this year and formed a blue ribbon committee to come up with ideas and recommendations for cost savings and earnings.
Without serving on the committee, Ladra can think of a few: charge more for computer rental and copies, rent out rooms for events and parties, lease concession space for counters like Starbuck’s or Versailles (who wouldn’t go for a cafecito or pastelito at the library) or for food trucks outside, partner with brands who can sponsor specific corners at the library — Verizon can set up charge stations for telephones, for instance.
I don’t know what is going to come out of the blue ribbon task force (more on that later). But I hope they got creative.
Candidate Daniella Levine seizes library issue opportunity added by Ladra on
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