Recently, a few residents and the Pottstown Public Library Director have spoken out at Upper Pottsgrove Township Board meetings against the zeroing out of funding for the public library in Pottstown. The Board had taken this action after Commissioner Cathy Paretti suggested the cuts during the 2021 budgeting season.
Prior to the 2020 budget, the Township provided $32,000 to the library. After the Board unanimously voted yes in favor of Paretti’s suggestion of cutting the library funding, the Board followed through with the reductions in the amounts of $24,000 in 2020, $8,000 in 2021, $5,000 in 2022, then zero in 2023 and 2024.
The Journal asked Commissioners Don Read and Hank Llewellyn to comment on Commissioner Paretti’s reluctance to respond to criticism and defend her suggestion as well as the Board’s action concerning the library. The Journal asked former Commissioner and Vice President Renee Spaide who was on the Board in 2020 when Paretti first suggested the cut for comment as well.
The Journal asked Commissioner Read: “Commissioner Paretti suggested the complete elimination of the $32,000 the Township provided Pottstown Public Library during the 2020 budget process. The Board followed through by ending all funding in 2023. During the 2024 budget season, a few people have spoken out against the funding cuts, namely, Cathy Sikorski and Tyrone Robinson, at public board meetings.”
“It would seem appropriate that Commissioner Paretti would have offered her reasons for her library cutting suggestion when faced with public criticism but did not do so. Why, do you think, she has taken this non-response position?”
Commissioner Read responded: “It’s difficult to say for certain why Commissioner Paretti has chosen not to respond, but silence in the face of public criticism can sometimes indicate a desire to avoid further debate or scrutiny. It could also suggest that she believes her position speaks for itself, or that she sees no political advantage in engaging. Regardless, when an elected official makes a decision that impacts the community, transparency and accountability are generally expected.”
Commissioner Llewellyn echoed Commissioner Read’s statement in response to the same question and added: “When challenged in an open forum, an elected official has a responsibility to clarify and respond to any decisions affecting the public welfare on their behalf.”
Former Commissioner Spaide responded: “When I was on the Board, Commissioner Paretti did suggest the library funding cuts, and the Board did follow through with the action. It certainly would be appropriate for her to be the first to defend the action when criticized.”
There is not any funding in the Upper Pottsgrove 2025 budget as was the case in the 2024 budget for the library.