Gibbon's new library

moves forward

By KERRY HOFFMAN

Journal Staff Writer

GIBBON -- The Gibbon City Council plowed ahead with plans for construction of a new $300,000 library building.

Councilors felt that, as elected officials, they have a right to move forward with projects, without holding a referendum every time they make a decision.

"They (residents) elect the council. Every time we make a decision, we shouldn't have to have a referendum," Mayor Floyd Kent said.

Dennis Nau, Gibbon resident, expressed his concern with changing the plans of getting citizen approval when all councilors were not present. Nau said that the councilor who put in so much time on the project was not at the meeting and that changing the plan was a "low blow."

"If the city has legally made a decision, why should it get a second chance?" Nau said. "Why have a referendum after the fact. There are very clear laws about needing referendums."

According to an attorney at the meeting, a referendum is not needed for this project.

Nau also said that he felt the time to build a new library is now with "the lowest interest rate in a long time. It's as low as it's ever gonna get. Down the road, you may end up paying more for a building."

Councilor Greg Olson felt the public was not well informed about what would be happening at an open informational meeting held Feb. 19.

"The public thought it was an informational meeting," Olson said. "Most people were unaware that a vote was going to be taken. It wasn't a fair assessment of what the people want."

Councilor Barb Rieke said that if so many people are upset with the vote, "they should take the time to come to tonight's meeting."

Olson offered a motion to hold a referendum, but it failed for lack of a second.

In other business, the council approved the city financial statement.