About that Biane Library ...
The City Council decided not to make any changes to its naming rights policy. They will reserve the right to name public facilities after elected officials but also reserve the right to take that name off should the politician get involved in what Councilwoman Diane Williams called "skulduggery."Robert Hufnagel was the only person who brought this up during public comment. Hufnagel didn't think former Supervisor Paul Biane did anything special by steering $1 million of taxpayers' money to the library.
"I may be mistaken but I was under the impression that that was his job," Hufnagel said. "He didn't do anything extraordinary ... it wasn't even his money."
Councilman Bill Alexander agreed with Hufnagel. But he was the only one on the council who did.
Speaking in vague terms, Councilman Chuck Buquet wanted to refrain from reacting to Biane's recent arrest.
"While this is under unfortunate circumstances, this is still early on. There are things that needs to be cleared up," Buquet said. "I think it's important we don't just go and do some sort of arbitrary, capricious, knee-jerk reaction to something."
While Buquet warned against any knee-jerk reaction, Councilwoman Diane Williams was thinking of her foot. Not having the ability to raise money and name buildings after officials, Williams said, would be akin to "shooting myself in the foot."
Councilman Sam Spagnolo agreed. "When money is so tight, I wouldn't want to tie the hands of this city." Mayor Dennis Michael didn't like his hands tied either. "We'd end up cutting our nose to spite our face," Michael said.
Alexander, the lone wolf, had no anatomical idioms to offer.
So for now, it's still called the Biane Library. Or is it?
In a flier promoting tomorrow's Local History Night, the venue was described as "Rancho Cucamonga Library, Victoria Gardens."
Thomas R. Cordova/Staff Photographer
I think they should change it.
Giving naming rights to million dollar donors is entirely appropriate. Problem is there weren't any such donors. There were 2,000,000 San Bernardino County taxpayers who donated fifty cents each. Dennis, Sam and Diane somehow still think that justified naming the library after their corrupt colleague who was originally appointed to the RC Council for no reason other than his family history.
I heartily agree with Robert Hufnagel's remarks at the council meeting (and with Disgusted in Rancho above me in the comments).
At the risk of sounding embarrassingly naive, I remain committed to the idea that public servants work, ya know, FOR THE PUBLIC. And while it's definitely a good thing when said servants are skilled at "steering" public funds toward worthy projects such as the library, they (and we) can't lose sight of the fact that they're steering PUBLIC funds. [Sorry about the ALL CAPS -- something about self-aggrandizement & public corruption gets me all stirred up.]
Never been a huge fan of naming things after rich folks or corporations, but in these challenging economic times I realize that that's the price that occasionally must be paid to get things accomplished for the public good. But honoring an elected official for doing what he/she is supposed to be doing in the first place? Can't get behind that idea.
If the library was paid for by the community of Rancho Cucamonga via tax dollars, what's so wrong about "Rancho Cucamonga Community Library" or something similar?
[That all said, if we have to solicit corporate donors for naming rights, I suggest contacting one of the city's newest burger joints. Something deliciously understated about "Five Guys Library."]