Porterville residents have started a petition to use funds currently allocated to other city projects to build a new library in the city.
The library was destroyed by flames in February 2020. The fire also killed Capt. Raymond Figueroa and firefighter Patrick Jones.
“We, the undersigned residents of Porterville, respectfully petition the city council to reconsider the allocation of general fund monies toward the proposed Battleship Playground and Washington Monument project,” states the petition. “The general fund exists to support essential community needs, public services, and long-term investments that strengthen the well-being and future of our city.”
The petition went on to state that a new public library is still facing significant funding shortfalls.
“Porterville needs a fully funded public library far more than it needs a themed playground or monument,” the petition states.
Porterville Mayor Greg Meister posted a response to the petition on Facebook “to correct the record and make sure our community has clear, accurate information.”
He said that building a new, state-of-the-art Porterville Library is “one of this city council’s highest priorities,” calling a new library “the crown jewel for our community.”
“With the combination of insurance settlement funds, grant funds, and city-allocated budget dollars, we anticipate working with roughly $20 million,” he continued. “This investment will allow us to construct a 16,000 to 18,000-square-foot facility, designed intentionally so it can be expanded in phases as our city continues to grow.
“We are planning to build this new library on Olive Street, directly across from the county courthouse, a location that will serve as a long-term anchor for downtown access, education, and family services,” he added. “Right now, we are waiting for the final insurance settlement, a process that has taken time but is ultimately delivering a stronger result for our taxpayers.”
Deadly Porterville library fire
On Feb. 18, 2020, two 13-years-olds were in the children’s reading area at the Porterville Public Library. One lit a piece of paper on fire and handed it to the other.
“Video evidence showed the minors fled together as the fire quickly spread to stuffed animals, decorations, and other children’s items,” stated a Tulare County District Attorney’s Office press release. “As firefighters fought the blaze, Captain Raymond Figueroa and Firefighter Patrick Jones died while engaged in firefighting operations.”
The boys accused of setting the deadly blaze were initially charged with murder but those charges were later dropped.
In August 2022, Tulare County Judge Hugo Loza dismissed the murder charges against both defendants. All charges were dropped against one boy, while arson charges will stick for the boy who lit the fire.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Porterville residents start petition to rebuild public library destroyed in 2020
Reporting by Steve Pastis, Visalia Times-Delta / Visalia Times-Delta
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
