Dougherty Arts Center
Get Over Petty Concerns!
RECEIVED Mon., Feb. 18, 2008
Dear Editor,
Re: Andrea Grimes' article [“Veteran Lays Siege to Library, West Lake … and Laura Bush,” News, Feb. 15] on Alan Roddy and the new Westbank Community Library to be named after Laura Bush.
The decision to name the new library after Laura Bush was made by people who have worked hard and continue to work hard and endlessly to create the new branch on Bee Caves Road. The new library, like the current one on Westbank and Pinnacle, will be open to the public; you can arrive and park on a bicycle or in a pickup or Lexus. The new library will be there for you, your friends, and children. Being a veteran and a Democrat, I too was somewhat taken aback by the proposed name; however, the decision to name the new branch was made in honor of a librarian who has made an impact on the library community. The library is staffed with full-time paid employees, as well as volunteers. The beneficiaries of their work are not only the local residents and their children but also anyone, no matter where they live. The money for the new library has not been easy to raise; it has consumed many hours of volunteers' time and effort. Alan Roddy has done nothing to help with the new branch project or the current library. The site of the current library was either going to be a library or lighted tennis court; you tell me what has benefited the public more. So in all due respect for the first lady and coming from a yellow dog and military veteran, get over it, Alan Roddy; the name of the new branch is the Laura Bush Community Library.
Re: Andrea Grimes' article [“Veteran Lays Siege to Library, West Lake … and Laura Bush,” News, Feb. 15] on Alan Roddy and the new Westbank Community Library to be named after Laura Bush.
The decision to name the new library after Laura Bush was made by people who have worked hard and continue to work hard and endlessly to create the new branch on Bee Caves Road. The new library, like the current one on Westbank and Pinnacle, will be open to the public; you can arrive and park on a bicycle or in a pickup or Lexus. The new library will be there for you, your friends, and children. Being a veteran and a Democrat, I too was somewhat taken aback by the proposed name; however, the decision to name the new branch was made in honor of a librarian who has made an impact on the library community. The library is staffed with full-time paid employees, as well as volunteers. The beneficiaries of their work are not only the local residents and their children but also anyone, no matter where they live. The money for the new library has not been easy to raise; it has consumed many hours of volunteers' time and effort. Alan Roddy has done nothing to help with the new branch project or the current library. The site of the current library was either going to be a library or lighted tennis court; you tell me what has benefited the public more. So in all due respect for the first lady and coming from a yellow dog and military veteran, get over it, Alan Roddy; the name of the new branch is the Laura Bush Community Library.
Richard L. Gilliam
