Delegates present compelling cases to support New Main Branch Library project during special council meeting

Dear Editor,

I would like to share my experience of learning about and attending a special council meeting on the proposed New Library and Bawcutt Centre Project. This issue is near and dear to my heart as one who is passionate about learning, books, community spaces and inclusion for all

I was shocked to learn on Wednesday evening (Jan 31) that there was a meeting to vote on a motion to reconsider a decision of council approving moving ahead on the project, to be held Thursday (Feb 1) at 3pm. Despite the short notice and inconvenient time, approximately 50 citizens joined the council meeting, and those councillors who were not in Paris joined remotely (one – sorry don’t know which one – was in Disneyland with his family).

Seven excellent delegations gave presentations (six against the Motion to Reconsider and one in favour) on the history of the process, the history of the building, the library, the donation from the Bawcutt family, etc. It was wonderful to hear the presentations – my favourite were made by Dr. Kate Carter, the Bawcutt Centre Advisory Committee, Barbara Graham, representing the Bawcutt family and Library Board Chair and Member, Fred Gladding and Marilyn Sewell. They were conciliatory but firm and very well informed.

When put to a vote (the motion made by Councillor Bell), I was delighted to know that 80% was required to overturn the previous decision. In fact, the Councillors voted 6 to 5 against the Motion. So, yes, the library / Bawcutt Centre project is advancing

To The Editor:

As a resident of the County of Brant, I found myself deeply concerned this week about the motion to reconsider the New Main Branch Library project put forward by Ward 3 Councillor John Bell. Like many County residents, I have long recognized the dire need for a modern, accessible main library branch that is owned and operated by the people of Brant County. I also recognize the historical importance of the Bawcutt Centre and want to see it preserved for community use

Councillor Bell took to Facebook to explain the rationale behind his motion, stating, “I am taking

I couldn’t help noticing the lack of diversity on the council – mainly white males – so another to work on. Diversity in gender, ethnicity and background are needed as our community moves forward in the 21st century!

The Norfolk The Norfolk

Linda Jones, Paris, Ontario

seriously my obligations as a Councillor to maintain the financial integrity of the municipality and work in the best interests of all County residents, especially the tax payers,” (January 31, 2024).

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I think I speak for most of us who support the library project that is currently in progress, having been discussed, voted on, and approved by a majority of your democratically-elected officials over 6 months ago, when I say that I do not believe he is, “on a rampage against the new library project.”

I do however find the emphasis on “taxpayers” extremely telling, since those of us who have the financial privilege to own property are the ones who stand to benefit the least from libraries It is my opinion that as municipal taxpayers it is our social responsibility to ensure that at least part of those funds are used for supports like modern, accessible library services for the benefit of the most marginalized people in our community.

As Ward 2 Councillor Steve Howes noted in a Facebook post on January 12, 2024, this project is already subject to appropriate checks and balances: "Before we can make a final "green light" or "red light" decision on the new library project, we need to finalize construction drawings and obtain real cost calculations." After the motion was defeated, Councillor Bell posted, “I respect the process and the outcome, even though it was not the one that I believe would have better served our community, is now to proceed through detailed design and solicit tenders The project team, led by an experienced project manager, will then bring the tender results back to Council at which time a go/no go decision will be made,” (Facebook, February 1, 2024).

Since he clearly did understand that due diligence was already built into the original process, it seems to me that Councillor Bell’s aim in bringing forward a motion to reconsider at this time, along with his fearmongering around costs, was to kill the project before it got to the point where he had to counter the actual facts with...well…actual facts. To be honest, I think that whatever your position on the library project, you should be extremely uncomfortable with a process that - despite the absence of significant circumstantial changes in the interim - allows an elected official to trigger a new vote on a motion they previously lost. I don't often use the term "slippery slope," but in this case....

I was very pleased to see the community pull together over the last 48 hours to engage with councillors, call, email, post, and produce 7 very well researched and presented delegations to yesterday's emergency meeting and was even more pleased with the outcome Good work all around, County of Brant!

Karyn Pickles, BASc, BSW (she/her)

Resident, Ward 3 & tax-payer, for what that’s worth