Comments on: AADL Makes Infrastructure Investments

By: Lyn Davidge

Lyn Davidge — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 17:44:36 +0000

A number of valid concerns about AADL Board actions have been expressed here and in previous Chronicle comments since November, 2012. Other concerns have been expressed directly to the Board during this most recent and previous Citizen Comment segments at Board meetings. In November, AADL constituents will be asked to fill three vacancies on the Board. To date, only two candidates have filed, both incumbents. New faces are needed on this Board, but that won’t happen if no one steps up to try. There’s still time to pick up your nominating petitions and file as a candidate to bring new ideas and (hopefully) new openness to this Board. Please, consider running!

From the Chronicle’s announcement of the July information meeting for potential Board candidates:

“Prospective AADL board candidates have until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12 to file to be placed on the ballot. To file, candidates must turn in an affidavit of identity to the Washtenaw County clerk’s office, along with a $100 non-refundable filing fee or a minimum of 40 valid signatures on a nominating petition. More details on the filing process are available on the county clerk’s election website.”

By: susan wineberg

susan wineberg — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 04:37:22 +0000

I’m so sorry the board approved the removal of the teal panels of the original Dow design and ok’d replacement by discrete concrete blocks that will spoil the continuous flow of the older design. Despite pleas from many in the community including Doug Kelbaugh, former Dean of the Taubman College of Architecture and Design and others concerned with mid-century modern architecture (including A2Modern), this project is going forward. I’m disappointed that my library could not set a better example for recycling and preserving this building by one of Michigan’s most well-known architects. Shame on you.

By: Edward Vielmetti

Edward Vielmetti — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 18:17:37 +0000

The above mentioned Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature is very inexpensive in the used market: [link] Price: US$ 3.71 In general, old reference books (this one is 1995, or almost 20 years old) have not kept their value well, making it possible for those who do value them to amass a nice collection for home.

By: Mary Morgan

Mary Morgan — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 17:41:07 +0000

Re. the additional flagpoles: Based on a discussion at the board's April 21, 2014 meeting, Ed Surovell was the trustee who advocated for putting in two more flagpoles, in addition to the one that is already there. Other board members did not object. Surovell is one of three trustees who serve on the facilities committee, which recommended the scope of the project.

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 17:23:45 +0000

Re #2: I’m not taking issue with any of that, but I’m wondering what the principle is that you’re using to decide what is an isn’t an appropriate expenditure. (For that matter, I wonder what the board’s is.) I can see an argument for both the speaker system and the heated sidewalks, not so much for the flagpoles, but those are just my gut reactions, without a lot of information to go on. What makes you so sure that these expenses are inappropriate?

By: Jeff Hayner

Jeff Hayner — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 14:09:09 +0000

I can second the concern of Mr. McGee about the disappearing reference books. I was cutting through the library parking lot with my daughter last week and we could see that the book recycling bin was overflowing. I held her up to look in- as an example of the life-cycle of books – and saw it was filled with many of these very volumes mentioned. I was quite surprised to see this, and now even more concerned about the disposal of these items. Not everyone uses the internet for research, and as many researchers can attest, the valuable contextual elements of paging through a book are lost with most electronic searches. I hope to learn more about the process and decisions behind retiring reference materials, and I encourage the board to limit the removal of items to only those that have clearly been superseded by new material.

By: Dave Cahill

Dave Cahill — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 20:00:22 +0000

I am so glad that the heated sidewalk is being included!

By: Donald Salberg

Donald Salberg — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 16:20:45 +0000

I reiterate: the cost ($67,834) for inserting heating coils in the concrete walkways in front of the library is extravagant and unjustified for the reasons I mention in my comments included in the article. I am sure that O’Neal and Company recommended the additional expense because it will include more profit for themselves.

Additionally, paying $13,235 for two flag poles, as desired by Ed Seroval, is unjustified and unnecessary, as is the $6,500 for a 3-speaker sound system. The subcontractors who will get these jobs are likely to make out like bandits, IMHO.

Other expenses deserving closer scrutiny include $22,350 for handrails and $58,000 for “Glass/Glazing.”

Apparently, the AADL board and the AADL director find spending tax payer money intoxicating..

By: Steve Bean

Steve Bean — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 14:27:57 +0000

Re: the carpeting replacement decision, will it be recyclable carpet tiles, a la Interface?

“There was no board discussion on this item.”

Not encouraging.