The Courier-Journal gave both Steve Beshear AND Jerry Abramson top billing for op-ed this Sunday.
Mayor McCheese was given the opportunity to spin some revisionist history.
As a community, we have endured more than our share of natural disasters in the past year. While the winds, ice, snow and rains have damaged property and disrupted lives, our citizens have pulled together to meet the challenge and rebuild.
What he doesn’t mention is that state and local government failed hardcore. How many months did storm debris litter our fair city? And how long did it take for the city to provide relief from the flood (oh, right, it never did – a few council members had to do so)?
But perhaps no donation is more special to me than one from little Max Bergmann, who gave the proceeds from his 7th birthday celebration to help restore the library. It’s nice to know that this community’s sense of responsibility and generosity is exhibited at such an early age.
Ohhh, so this is an opportunity for Jerry to talk about what other people have done for the library while simultaneously siphoning the accompanying attention and by-proxy credit.
With the hard work of library staff and volunteers and Louisville Metro Government workers and contractors, we were able to partially reopen the Main Library just 23 days after the flood. And when the entire Main Library reopens next year, you will see a library that’s even better than before.
So to Max Bergmann and everyone else who has shown their love for our libraries and support for our hometown, I want to simply say, “Thank you and keep reading.”
I see how this works. Let everybody else do the work and then take the credit by penning an op-ed in the Sunday paper.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Mark H (Not Hebert) // Dec 21, 2009 at 11:09 am
I’m sorry, but there is nothing more pathetic that taking some 7 year-old’s money for a project like the library restoration.
What’s next Jerry? Maybe you can promote a new municipal giving campaign targeting lemon-aid stand receipts, birthday card money from grandma and grandpa, or weekly allowance withholding to subsidize the city government…
Hey, I have a brilliant idea, why don’t we maintain enough insurance coverage on the building and the contents to cover the loss so we don’t have to put our hand out to the community.
Why does UofL and the City have to plea for funds to cover the losses in the flood? If we can’t find enough insurance for some reason, then we should have a fund set-aside and self-insure for a catastrophic loss.
2 Bill // Dec 21, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Because Jerry, U of L, and his Library Director Buthod all have been sitting around with their hands waiting for another gift. There’s a lack of responsibility with the current Metro Government as well as U of L. Think about it this way, why would you keep very important things in a basement especially in a place that has flooding issues intermittently throughout the year. It’s not like Louisville is built on a bluff overlooking the Ohio.
It’s not as if we have the greatest sewage system in America seeing that MSD is continually in debt to the tunes of billions. At least that’s what Bud claimed.
Not to mention that water is the enemy of anything electronic or in print form. It would have been better off being put at least mid level.
Some things can be salvaged from a flood but its hard for pictures, print material, electronics, etc. How many cars were trashed after the electronics were deemed bad. I was out around the University a day or two after it all happened and the amount of cars misparked by flood waters was amazing. I was also in the market for a used car about that time. But I sure didn’t look in Louisville. I went for someplace with higher ground and checked it out thoroughly. Wish our city leaders and their employees would have some similar ideas and at least think once in a while.
3 Joe Blow // Dec 21, 2009 at 12:44 pm
well, you can donate here, lol
https://secure.kentucky.gov/renewalservices/louisvilleMetroDonation/
4 hobbster // Dec 21, 2009 at 1:04 pm
It’s especially appalling coming after last week’s audit of the KY League of Cities. While Sylvia and her cronies were pulling down $100K+ salaries, a 7-year-old was digging into his pocket for the library.
Makes me throw up a little in my mouth. . .
5 The Highlander // Dec 21, 2009 at 10:12 pm
I don’t know how this city is going to be able to put up with a lame duck Mayor for the next entire year while we wait for the Mayor to leave office. I’m nearly 70 years old and I don’t believe I’ve ever seen anyone who was a more voracious and needy narcissist than this guy. It’s almost like he lives for the adulation of a microphone and a tv camera person. Man, this guy may have become a candidate for Our Lade of Peace. It’s gotten so far out of hand that it borders on being embarrassing.
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