Council Calls on Nutter to Delay Library Closings

Chris Brennan reports that a non-binding resolution just passed in City Council, calling on Nutter to delay the closing of library branches until the budget issue can be studied for potential alternatives.

Like all budget issues lately, this provoked lively debate. Councilman Jim Kenney suggested the resolution would mislead city residents to think Council was changing the library closures. Councilman Bill Greenlee agreed, saying it "gives the wrong impression"

Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell disagreed, saying Council should hold hearings on the issue. "That's not mean-spirited," she said. "That's not the wrong signal."

The resolution passed 12-5, with Kenney, Greenlee, Frank DiCicco, Marian Tasco and Council President Anna Verna voting no.

Nutter plans to shut down 11 of the city's 54 libraries as part of a massive budget cut to shore up a $1 billion hole in the city budget over the next five years.