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Teresa Zemaitis thinks Kenneth City should pay for residents' library cards, but the issue won't be on the council agenda.
By ANNE LINDBERG
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 2, 2001
KENNETH CITY -- Teresa Zemaitis won't make good on a campaign promise of easier library access for residents. Three of her council colleagues rejected an attempt to put such an item on their next meeting agenda.
The decision, made without audience comment at last week's workshop, outraged some of the residents in attendance.
Several audience members clustered around Kenneth City police Chief James Ernst after the workshop, asking if the council had acted in accordance with law.
"Basically, workshops are primarily called for the council to discuss items," Ernst said. "Generally speaking, they don't seem to encourage public input at the workshop sessions."
However, the council can permit people to talk at a workshop if members so desire, he said.
Zemaitis thinks the town should pay for every resident who wanted a library card in the Pinellas County system.
Kenneth City is not a member of the county library cooperative, so residents are charged $100 for a card. The town reimburses $75.
Joining the cooperative would cost Kenneth City about $100,000 a year -- too expensive, Zemaitis said. But the cooperative was willing to have Kenneth City residents come in, apply for a card and pay nothing. In return, the town would be billed $100.
The town would end up spending a bit more than it does now to ensure that folks have access to the county system.
This year, 18 Kenneth City residents have joined the county library. Under Zemaitis' plan, the city's additional burden for this year would be $450.
Zemaitis' proposal found little favor among other council members.
Any student can have a library card free of charge, Al Carrier said. And adults can go to the library and do everything except take out books.
"I don't think we're hindering anyone in this town from going to the library," Carrier said.
Zemaitis said taking out library books is a big part of the system. She spoke of a friend who has several children and is unable to afford a library card.
"Taking out books is a big part of the library system," she said.
Carrier said that was only one person.
Siding with Zemaitis, Ron Sneed said more than one resident can't afford a library card.
In the end, Carrier, Fran Luke and Mayor Bill Smith voted against putting the item on the agenda for the council's next meeting.