Council vote urges Nutter to delay library closures

Inquirer staff writer Jeff Shields reports:

A divided City Council passed a resolution this morning urging Mayor Nutter to delay the planned closure of 11 library branches and allow time to find alternatives.

Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez's proposal passed 12-5, and was rejected by council members who said the resolution had no effect, and would only give residents false hope while undercutting Nutter in time of a financial crisis.

"We don't want to give the wrong impression...that something is going to change," said Councilman William Greenlee, who voted against the resolution along with Council President Anna C. Verna, Majority Leader Marian B. Tasco, Councilman James F. Kenney and Councilman Frank DiCicco.

Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. Said he took exception to the suggestiin that Council, which has no say in Nutter's decision, was misleading residents.

"I do believe that hope should not be misleading," Jones said.

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