Letter to the editor: Library — KCLS discounts public input

Not only do I not support the movement of the Vashon Library to the Vashon K2 facility, I do not support the agenda of the director, Bill Ptacek, the “vision” he has for the KCLS (and the Vashon branch in particular) or the manner in which he conducts his meetings. I have spoken with Mr. Ptacek on several occasions on the telephone and in these gatherings, and it is clear that he is not interested in the commentary that he invites.

January 27, 2009 2:37 pm

Not only do I not support the movement of the Vashon Library to the Vashon K2 facility, I do not support the agenda of the director, Bill Ptacek, the “vision” he has for the KCLS (and the Vashon branch in particular) or the manner in which he conducts his meetings. I have spoken with Mr. Ptacek on several occasions on the telephone and in these gatherings, and it is clear that he is not interested in the commentary that he invites.

Whether he completely ignores or discounts the input in face-to-face encounters or simply doesn’t allow time for it at his meetings, Mr. Ptacek enjoys a stacked deck in favor of what he views as his legacy of community centers, discounting the input of the community.

The best thing for the KCLS would be his replacement with an interested ear or, barring that, developing an interested ear, himself, so that the needs of the community, not his own, can be met.

— Allan Kaplan