Important historical library and museum not slated for funding in Florida.

[madfloridian]

Since Jeb Bush took office in our state there has been no respect for libraries nor for anything historical. This historical museum and library are paying the consequences of the tax cuts and budget cuts in our state.

If you have done historical or genealogical research you know the value of places like this. They can not be replaced. This county has been one of the most friendly for all researchers, thanks to Joe. This is sad, and even if it doesn't affect you....it should touch you deep down inside.

This is what Republicans do. They control this whole county, they control the state. We have heard about the funding cuts for the elderly and for the indigent, but now we are learning more.

From: "Joe Spann" <[e-mail]>
To: "'Joe Spann'" <[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 11:22 AM
Subject: Historical Library & Museum Closing - WE NEED HELP!!

Tuesday - 8 July 2008

Library & Museum Supporters:

This morning the County Manager's office has informed us that the Polk County Historical Museum and Historical & Genealogical Library are NOT recommended for funding in next year's budget. Unless something changes this means that we will CEASE OPERATIONS on September 30th.

You can help us change this situation.

In the proposed budget for next year there is a unbudgeted surplus of about $1.6 million. Within the next few days the Board of County Commissioners will decide how to spend that surplus. With YOUR support the Historical Library and Museum could be one of the operations funded from this surplus.

As an alternative, the Board of County Commissioners could also temporarily fund our operations from the "Historical Trust Fund." Either of these is an acceptable alternative to closing forever.

We are asking you to please take a moment and send a positive, supportive e-mail to each of your County Commissioners, telling them about the VALUE you place on our operations. The e-mail addresses are listed below:

[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

Your voice is vitally important at this moment in history. Thanks!

Joe Spann - Library Manager
Polk County Historical & Genealogical Library
100 East Main Street
Bartow, Florida 33830-4629
[phone]
Member - Association of Professional Genealogists
"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." Benjamin Franklin

This is heartbreaking. As Florida tax cuts and budget cuts go, so go other states with Republicans in control.

[madfloridian]

1. What would happen to the records and archives there?

It worries me. I remember having to fight to keep them from turning the state library records over to aprivate college in South Florida.

I don't even know the status of the state library now. Wonder what will happen to the genealogical records in the county. Will they be handled by a private company?

[madfloridian]

2. Kick for any Floridians with historical interest...

or who are concerned at what the Republicans are gutting here.

[ColbertWatcher]

3. Save history, Vote Democratic. n/t

[lpbk2713]

4. Clarification please.

Are you saying the County Commission has 1.6 Million dollars they don't know what to do with but they still refuse to budget the museum? This is really ridiculous. There must be some records or pictures there that they don't want to be passed on to posterity that might cast light poorly on the Polk County Commissions in general. Like, oh I don't know, like maybe how the new multi-story courthouse (which formerly occupied the museum building by the way) had to be rebuilt before it was even fully occupied due to a poor design which could not have been built in the first place without Commission approval.

Link: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5931/is_199308/ai_n23859719

[madfloridian]

5. I would agree, but they don't even pretend to worry about mistakes anymore.

It is the mindset of developers and their control of too many commissions here....that if it is too geared to historic stuff it might get in the way of "progress."

Sorry if I sound bitter, but I am.