📚 Rethinking the Role of Libraries: Pima Supe Christy on the Main Library Closure
Supervisor Christy’s comments unveil critical misunderstandings about libraries as community hubs rather than mere social service centers.
Based on the 12/5/24 Buckmaster show on KVOI-1030AM.
🙊 Notable quotes from the show
Steve Christy:
"If it's not going to be spent in time or it doesn't need to be spent, do what I think is the best thing to do, and that's sent back to the federal government."
"There's really no excuse for it, and I think it's easily remedied, and one of the major issues of how that could be accomplished is quite simple, and that's to stop the last minute deadline on the to drop off ballots and to vote on those days."
"Unfortunately, they become more of a social service center and a safe place for folks with addiction problems or mental problems or homeless issues. They congregate in certain libraries, making it very difficult and unpleasant for the staff, customers, and constituents who want to use it."
Dr. David Levy:
"Jupiter, of course, had a major impact on my own life later on, and it remains my favorite planet to this day."
"The most likely explanation is that it was a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. And we've seen conjunctions where Jupiter and Saturn get so close that you can't even tell them apart."
Don Loose:
"All of these statutes that are still on the books after the passage of Prop 139 have to be, I believe, looked at judicially, and a court needs to decide if they constitute a compelling state interest, which would be an exception to 139 or not."
"The attorney general's position is that Proposition 139 supersedes the state's 15-week abortion statute. However, he acknowledged that some doctors may be hesitant to perform abortions after 15 weeks, 'until this issue is finally resolved.'"
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
Steve Christy, a local leader, talked about how libraries should be more than just places for helping people with problems 📚, while Dr. David Levy excitedly shared news about cool stars in the sky 🌟. Don Loose explained that new rules about abortion ⚖️ have some tricky laws that might confuse doctors and need to be looked at more closely 🔍.
🗝️ Takeaways
📢 Steve Christy argues for the return of unused COVID funds to the federal government instead of local spending.
🌠 Dr. David Levy is excited about the Geminids meteor shower, anticipating "50 or 60 meteors per hour."
⚖️ Don Loose emphasizes the need for judicial review of abortion laws after the passage of Proposition 139.
📻 What They Discussed
🗓️ The Buckmaster Show on December 5th, 2024
The Buckmaster Show on Thursday, December 5th, 2024, featured in-depth interviews with several notable guests.
Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy discussed local issues, including the RTA Next transportation plan and the challenges of counting votes in Pima County.
Renowned astronomer and comet discoverer Dr. David Levy shared his insights on celestial events and astronomy.
Finally, attorney Don Loose provided an analysis of the legal implications surrounding Arizona's new constitutional amendment on abortion rights.
🗳️ Interview with Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy
Supervisor Christy discussed several key local issues during his monthly visit. Regarding the $1.3 million in unspent COVID relief funds, Christy defended his lone dissenting vote, explaining his concern that the money would be spent on "institutionalized programs" rather than returned to the federal government. As he stated, "If it's not going to be spent in time or it doesn't need to be spent, I will do what I think is the best thing to do, and that's send it back to the federal government."
Christy also expressed frustration with the lengthy vote-counting process in Pima County, suggesting earlier deadlines for mail-in ballots could help speed up the tabulation. As he noted, "there's really no excuse for it, and I think it's easily remedied. One of the major issues of how that could be accomplished is quite simple, and that's to stop the last-minute deadline on the day of to drop off ballots and to vote on those days."
Regarding the future of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Christy was hopeful that all jurisdictions would "stick it out and stick together" but acknowledged the uncertainty created by the recent passing of Marana Mayor Ed Honea, a key RTA supporter.
🗣️ Supervisor Christy and the Pima County Library 📚
Christy's lack of awareness about the Pima County Public Library's Main branch relocation is surprising and unacceptable for his position. It is particularly concerning that he seems unaware of the plan to temporarily move the library to the vacant Wells Fargo building, a topic covered by local media, including the Arizona Luminaria, which had a representative at the Library Board meeting, while Christy did not have any representatives from District 4.
In a recent discussion, Christy expressed his confusion, stating, "I don't know how we got to this point," regarding the library's pressing maintenance needs.
Christy’s admission of ignorance not only highlights his disconnection from a significant community resource, the Main Library in downtown Tucson but also raises serious questions about his engagement and commitment to effectively representing the residents of his district.
While Christy chose to focus on issues related to homelessness and sanitation, he completely overlooked the proactive efforts of the library advisory board to develop a strategic vision for the library system. His remarks suggested a narrow understanding of the library's role, as he described it merely as a "social service center." This perspective dismisses the library's potential for community engagement and knowledge sharing.
Christy's comments instead centered on the libraries becoming "more of a social service center and a safe place for folks with addiction problems or mental problems or homeless issues." He noted that cleaning staff at some branches have "refused to go into restrooms for obvious reasons" and "asked for hazardous pay because it is a dangerous situation."
It is strange that Christy knows about sanitation staff complaints but not what was discussed at a Library Board meeting.
Furthermore, the fact that Christy failed to acknowledge media coverage of the library’s planned relocation is a glaring oversight. Board member John Halliday aptly pointed out that "these libraries are a huge public investment," and Christy's misrepresentation of the situation undermines the importance of maintaining such valuable community resources.
Ultimately, Supervisor Christy's ignorance regarding the library's plans reflects poorly on his leadership and responsibility to his constituents. It is imperative for him to stay informed and engaged, as the community deserves a representative who fully understands and champions its vital resources. This lack of awareness is not just a personal failing; it is a disservice to everyone who relies on the library for support and services.
🔭 Interview with Astronomer Dr. David Levy
Dr. David Levy, an accomplished astronomer and comet discoverer, shared his insights on various celestial events. He expressed excitement about the upcoming Geminids meteor shower, which he expects to produce "50 or 60 meteors per hour."
Dr. David Levy shared his insights on the "Christmas star" phenomenon, speculating that it may have been a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn rather than a comet or supernova.
As he explained, "The most likely explanation is that it was a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. And we've seen conjunctions where Jupiter and Saturn get so close that you can't even tell them apart. In fact, I saw them together in one field of my telescope once, not on December 25th of 2000, but on June 17th of two BCP. Jupiter and Saturn were so close together that you actually, without a telescope and they had no telescopes then, you could not separate them. They looked like one star. And so that's what we, most of us think, that's what I think the Christmas star was."
In a poetic moment, Levy reflected on his personal connection to Jupiter, stating, "Jupiter, of course, had a major impact in my own life later on, and it remains my favorite planet to this day." He then shared a thoughtful poem about the lasting memories of loved ones, likening them to the light of distant stars.
⚖️ Interview with Attorney Don Loose
Attorney Don Loose provided an in-depth analysis of the legal implications surrounding Arizona's new constitutional amendment on abortion rights, Proposition 139. He explained the complex interplay between the state's previous laws, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Supreme Court decision, and the new constitutional amendment.
Loose highlighted the remaining legal uncertainties, such as the potential challenges to the state's informed consent and ultrasound requirements, as well as the status of restrictions on abortions for minors based on fetal characteristics. As he noted, "All of these statutes that are still on the books after the passage of 139 have to be, I believe, looked at judicially, and a court needs to decide if they constitute a compelling state interest, which would be an exception to 139 or not."
The attorney general's position, as Loose explained, is that Proposition 139 supersedes the state's 15-week abortion statute. However, he acknowledged that some doctors may be hesitant to perform abortions after 15 weeks "until this issue is finally resolved."
☕ If you enjoyed this article, give us a tip! We 🤎☕‼️
👯 People Mentioned
Steve Christy - Pima County Supervisor, the lone Republican on the Board of Supervisors
Dr. David Levy - Astronomer, former science editor of Parade Magazine, founder of Sharing the Sky
Don Loose - Attorney, author of "Arizona Laws 101" and "Estate Planning in Arizona"
John Halliday - Member of the Pima County Library Advisory Board