Vote No — Start Over Smart Chair Interviewed On WHMP
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The chair of the Vote No — Start Over Smart committee, Terry S. Johnson, was interviewed for WHMP’s radio show “Panorama,” which aired last Saturday, October 16 and is now available for streaming here.
Hosts Stefan Ward-Wheten and Dan Torres explored an extensive range of topics concerning the controversial Jones Library demolition/expansion project referendum question on the November 2 ballot. Topics included the problems with the planning process, lack of community outreach, sustainability issues, historic preservation, and project financing.
One question involved the statement of the Jones trustees that the $35.3 million project will only cost taxpayers $16 million, the same as an estimate for a renovation only.
“Here’s the rub,” Johnson responded. “The trustees have told the Town Council that [they] will not fundraise for a renovation only, even though they own the land and the building. It’s really quite stunning.” She added that the cost of a renovation could be much lower, too. “There are many grants other than the MBLC that the trustees could use for a renovation-only project,” she said. “They include local Community Preservation Act grants and the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, as well as state and federal tax credit possibilities since part of the building is 100 years old and can fall under historic tax credit preservation opportunities.”
Johnson also noted that the decision to demolish the 1993 addition was done without a formal study thus wasting a town resource.
The hosts closed the show asking, “How can the public be engaged in future projects?”
“You have to engage the public in the very earliest stages,” Johnson said. “People want to be asked what they want. The public was never asked if they wanted a huge new library. You need to set the foundation so everyone is on board. Unfortunately, the Trustees did not do this. If you don’t do your homework, as teachers say, in the beginning, you’re not building the foundation for the future.”
“Panorama” will host the Vote Yes for Our Library ballot committee on Saturday, October 23, at 7:00 a.m. WHMP 101.5 FM, 1240 & 1400 AM.
Terry Johnson gave an excellent interview outlining the history and some of the most problematic features of the Jones Library building project. The only important fact that was overlooked in this interview was that the 1993 addition that is slated for demolition in the current plan is already ADA compliant. Hopefully, enough Amherst residents will hear this interview in time to decide to Vote No on November 2nd. A No vote would allow Library Trustees to start over with community input to develop a sustainable renovation plan for the beloved Jones Library.
I am continually impressed by the depth of coverage that WHMP gives to local elections and issues.
In the interest of fairness, it should be pointed out that Austin Sarat and Kent Faerber of the “Vote Yes” side were interviewed on the Panorama show on Saturday. It can be heard at https://whmp.com/podcasts/panorama-episode-38-faerber-and-sarat/.