Comments

Dan Pritchard wrote on Aug 17, 2008 4:01 PM:

" I am appalled at this story. We have visited and stayed in Pierre numerous times, believing the community to be progressive and modern. We have family there! To think that they should do without something as basic as refrigeration in their library disgusts me to no end. Why doesn't the private sector take up a collection at least. For those who still have to read things. If the City doesn't get this right, we'll probably not be stopping there in the future. "




Shutup wrote on Jul 11, 2008 4:23 PM:

" enough wrote on Jul 10, 2008 6:17 AM:
" do you people really have nothing else to do but post comments on the newspaper site?! so the library is hot, get over it, IT HAPPENS. If you would funnel your energy into alternatives to the library or even solutions the problem could very well have already been fixed, but you'd rather mouth off online. "

Shut up you hypocrite... because your just funneling you energy to get after those who share their ideas here. "




Matthew Dial wrote on Jul 11, 2008 4:10 PM:

" This city is horrible... we can have our roads torn up whenever we please for replacing water mains, but we cant do something as simple as get a working air conditioner for our library?!! It's things like this that me want to leave Pierre for good when I'm done with college. "




Curious hmmmm.. wrote on Jul 11, 2008 3:11 PM:

" Mayor Laurie Gill promised during her campaign to have open forums to answer questions by the public. She also said she would have them at the library. I see the first one is coming up, but not at the library. Can't take the heat? "




Cant believe it wrote on Jul 11, 2008 2:54 PM:

" Mr. Accountability, It's the "librarian's responsibility" to take care of a building? Do you know the definition of a librarian? You should look it up in the dictionary. The library has several. I dare you, go to the library, but can you take the heat? Nowhere in the dictionary, does it mention maintenance. How do you know they didn't contact the HVAC professional? Maybe the HVAC pro told them it was electrical? "they convinced themselves" perhaps by doing the appropriate research by stepping up to the plate. No one does better research than a librarian. "




Former library employee wrote on Jul 10, 2008 9:53 PM:

" "Just a wonder to view these options", aren't you paying attention? Who cares if it takes 2 months to get this part. The powers-that-be have known about this for quite some time, and did nothing about it. This is a total failure on the part of the city leadership. The electrical infrastructure in that building is a mess. I plugged in a powerstrip last fall, and the outlet sparked and smoked. I documented this incident, and I don't know if anything was ever done about it. "




Current library employee wrote on Jul 10, 2008 8:42 PM:

" To set the record straight-it's not a small part-we are replacing the entire condensing unit. It is not something in stock on a shelf- this has to be built for our system. I am frustrated with all the bashing of government posted. It's a thankless job. I feel that if you don't like how things are done, perhaps you should run for office. Perhaps you can make a difference rather than point a finger. To tell you the truth we are hot and sometimes miserable, perhaps someone could offer something constructive to make everyone in the library comfortable. "




Marie wrote on Jul 10, 2008 8:20 PM:

" Hours could be changed. Library has great programs for kids. The attends is poor. They say we are hot. It was really hot in the library today 90 degrees, when I was at the library "




Just a wonder to view these options wrote on Jul 10, 2008 1:24 PM:

" I think that the most interesting part here is that fact that in a different story they announced that the reason it takes two months is because the part is custom made. The company has more then one customer and will manufacture the part in the order that they come. "




CA Dave wrote on Jul 10, 2008 8:45 AM:

" Former All a law suit does is put money in the pockets of the lawyers and take money that could be used to fix things and waste it and time on a senseless legal fight that gets nothing done. Who gets the money from the law suit? Will that money be used to fix the problem? I think not. And what does the golf course have to do with this issue. Let's bring in the pool and while we're at it who pays for the tennis courts? All dumb comments. "




returned local wrote on Jul 10, 2008 7:42 AM:

" To CA Dave I don't blame this person for being upset. I don't think suing is the best solution but maybe that is what needed. I personally know someone who worked at the library last year and know that the city knew there were problems. I spoke with someone yesterday who said it was 87 in the library yesterday. That is entirely unacceptable. The city needs to find a different supply company if they can't get the part until August. Is the city getting kickbacks from this company? It makes you wonder "




enough wrote on Jul 10, 2008 6:17 AM:

" do you people really have nothing else to do but post comments on the newspaper site?! so the library is hot, get over it, IT HAPPENS. If you would funnel your energy into alternatives to the library or even solutions the problem could very well have already been fixed, but you'd rather mouth off online. "




Accountability wrote on Jul 10, 2008 12:44 AM:

" The library had HVAC issues going back to last year. They convinced themselves it was an electric issue. When the electrician told them it wasn't an electric issue they should have immediately called their HVAC service contractor which didn't happen. Ultimately the librarian is responsible for the library and her staff needs to step up to the plate and accept responsibility for this rather than blame others. "




Former library employee wrote on Jul 9, 2008 12:57 PM:

" CA Dave, aren't you paying attention? If the council was so "happy to get the system at the library fixed", why didn't they take care of this sooner? I think the city council should hold it's meetings at the library, and residents could read or relax in the city council chambers. Step up, City Council! Or maybe the fact that many library patrons can't vote (too young), but almost all the patrons at the golf course can vote has something to do with it. Maybe what's needed IS a lawsuit to get things done! "




Response to SW wrote on Jul 9, 2008 12:50 PM:

" You are obviously able to access the internet somewhere since you posted on this site. Seriously, is suing going to get the air conditioning fixed faster??? Doubtful. You are just taking money away from the city for projects which benefit all the residents. Using your disability to milk money from the city is sick and wrong. It is unfortunate about the air conditioning, and I am sure the librarians are not enjoying their working conditions. I feel more sorry for than than I do for your inability to check out a book for 2 months. "




Cry a river wrote on Jul 9, 2008 10:16 AM:

" SW: Cry us a river. Cool your heels and find something else to do with your time. You're obviously bored and have nothing else to do. Go buy a spritzer water fan from Kmart to cool your heels. "




CA Dave wrote on Jul 9, 2008 9:03 AM:

" SW You need to get out of South Dakota and get yourself to California where you can live with your sue happy buddies. States/cities/counties don't have the money to do things because of you and your sue happy pals who see fit to bleed every dollar you can out of the system. Why don't you get a job in an air conditioned building and stop complaining about the library. I'm sure the council would be happy to get the system at the library fixed if they could. Some paoples children! "




Holy wrote on Jul 7, 2008 10:18 AM:

" Response to s.w: While it is sad that portable units cannot be brought into the library to provide some temporary relief from the heat, why don't you run for office. Pierre may be stuck in it's ways, but it takes more than one smart mind to make things happen. The commissioners are only a small piece of the pyramid that make up city government. There's not enough clever young people willing to run for office. I'm sure the commissioners aren't sitting in their ivory towers not doing a thing either. "




S.W wrote on Jul 5, 2008 11:40 PM:

" I will seek justice this week, I have talked with a Sioux Fall's attorney about this matter at the Library, and he believes that I have a strong case against the Library. I am Disabled and on Medications that make me heat intolerent and because of Pierre's stupidity I cannot go to the library to enjoy public computers or checking out books. I hope other's will join me in a lawsuit against the CITY OF PIERRE. This is an outrage, as much money that is brought into this cowtown from out of town hunters and fishermen and no aircondition. "




s.w wrote on Jul 5, 2008 11:31 PM:

" This is CRAZY! The commissioner's sit in there air conditioned ivory tower like GODS and look down there long slender ugly nose at the rest of us. I cannot believe that the Library is not important to these JERKS, not to mention that the city of Pierre receives Federal Funds to maintain, and supply our Library, at the very least all the city has to do is supply matching funds for the Library Yearly Budget. This is POOR GOV. at its worst. Why are the citizens of Pierre continue to vote this YA-HOO'S in office? I will file a Lawsuit! "




Roger wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:29 PM:

" The town will take care of the special interestment groups. Now they have a state lakey at the helm it will only get worse, "




Anon wrote on Jul 2, 2008 10:54 AM:

" I must agree with all the statements below. This is an embarrassment and a shame to our town (it is not a city)! What would you do if this were City Hall?! Also, the humidity level will effect and ruin all the materials in the library. Then you might have a mold/mildew problem or worse... "




Roger wrote on Jun 27, 2008 11:57 AM:

" Why not upgrade the HCAV in one shot ? Oh yeah I forgot...the Golf Course needs the money. "




beauracracy as usual wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:25 AM:

" The city government of Pierre is one of the most useless and lamest I have come across in my travels. Union rep? thats the problem with the South Dakota work force-- there are no unions for anything. I suggest all employees of the library file an official complaint with OSHA --ASAP. "




Confused wrote on Jun 27, 2008 7:49 AM:

" So does anyone else feel there is more to this story? 4 weeks ago, a year ago, 5 years ago... Air conditioning, electricity,.... A few weeks ago, part of the library was flooded due to heavy rain and a leaking roof! As a taxpayer we should know the high cost items that are a concern. These should have been brought to the commission for long term planning and budgeting to manage the facility appropriately before we have costly repairs. So who fell on the job city hall, the library board or the library director? "




Different past employee wrote on Jun 26, 2008 7:21 PM:

" I worked at the library approximately 5 years ago. They had trouble with both the furnace and the air conditioner every spring and fall way back then. Maybe the city should compile a little history report on repairs for the system over the past 10 years and see where that leads them... Also, a comment on the previous Opinion from Judith was "is it an electrical problem or an air conditioner problem?" The air conditioner is the immediate issue; however, if no system upgrade has been made to the electrical...that is going to be the next issue. "




Carolyn wrote on Jun 26, 2008 4:32 PM:

" Just imagine what July will be like? If you look at the true heat index, (how hot it feels in the SHADE) basically the temperature and the relative humidity) right now the library could be a very dangerous place. A heat index of 90 degrees or more is very serious. Consider the average temperature in July then factor in the fact that the library is practically a glass terrarium! OSHA states recommended indoor temperatures in the cooling season should be between 73-78 degrees. Its already way over that. Should we wait until someone is ill? "




Hot wrote on Jun 26, 2008 2:58 PM:

" This town is ridiculous! Any other place would have had this fixed when it was discovered it was broken. Someone needs to find the piece and fast because as others have said, the commissioners will hold the smaller numbers of library use against them next year at budget time. Probably so they can build a new tennis court or some other hairbrained project! "




disappointed wrote on Jun 26, 2008 1:46 PM:

" The library offers such great summer programs and it's a shame that the public can't enjoy them. The city needs to step up! "




Former library employee wrote on Jun 26, 2008 10:56 AM:

" We were aware of electrical issues in the library last summer. That building was built in 1970, and parts of it have never had an electrical overhaul, despite all the new equipment. I bet you if City Hall had the same problem, they'd be looking at temporary AC. Actually if it was City Hall, they would never have allowed the situation to get this bad. Maybe Mr. Schochenmaier should work out of the library and let the kids have storytime in his office. That's true leadership, Leon. "




Anonymous wrote on Jun 26, 2008 8:55 AM:

" It's too bad the city doesn't think that getting a temporary air conditioning unit is a viable option so that adults and children can continue to enjoy the library. This could seriously affect the library's numbers, and who wants to bet that when the library presents its next budget, the city will see those numbers and not want to fund the entire budget request. If this were the Aquatic Center, the air would have been fixed 3 weeks ago. "




Brian wrote on Jun 26, 2008 8:29 AM:

" Who are we dealing with that can't get a part for 2 months? Time to look for another supplier perhaps. "




city employee wrote on Jun 26, 2008 8:12 AM:

" The politics involved restrict swift action on lots of issues. As for working conditions dont wait for city hall. Give your union rep a call. "