I dont agree with irishmonk who believes that because we have multimillion dollar condos downtown then obviously we can have the every service plus an expanding TTC. We are running a deficit. That is undeniable, and we have to stop looking to the province and the federal governmewnt to bail us out. The only time that would be acceptable to me or more importantly realistic is if we hosted the 2020 summer gAMES. I dont agree with most of what rob ford does but I would be willing to shuffle around money so that the TTC gets a bigger share, even if that means making some tough decisions on what needs to be cut.
The deficit is largely a creation of Ford's (Miller left us a surplus) and he did promise "No service cuts" when he was campaigning. The proper time to have a debate on the future of our libraries would have been during the campaign. If Rob had been been mouthing his brother's sentiments on the hustings, I suspect his supporters would have been a little less enthusiastic.
(And why the f**k is Doug Ford now the municipal mouthpiece for everything that goes on in this city? He is not the goddamn mayor and he does not speak for the whole city! Why should he be requesting a meeting with Margaret Atwood when she lives in bloody Yorkville? Why should Atwood even be mentioned in the same sentence as the Rookie Councillor from Etobicoke? Has this town turned into a friggin' kleptocracy already?)
Toronto is doing relatively well, economically, and there is money to fund a library system (which is one of the world's best btw.) I don't feel like trotting out all the ways a library system enriches a community--I'm sure you could research that on your iPad, or Smartphone (and if the network goes down, you can always use your nearest library.)
Regarding the 2020 Olympics, so you wouldn't mind siphoning off hundred of millions of tax dollars for a 2 week sporting contest that enriches global corporations, broadcasters and IOC members, and turns its host cities into armed camps--but when it comes to low income families with kids, or students, or anyone, frankly, who can benefit from decent library services, it's "Let them eat cake!".
I suppose you would have no problem with taxpayers being on the hook for Ford's other big priority, a world class NFL stadium--with convenient monorail access.
Anyhoo, this is one of those circular arguments that convinces neither side. Either people value libraries (and the "soft" benefits they bring) or they don't. I'm going to try to make it the big Thursday meeting and I encourage others to as well.