Posted on 01/27/2009 7:53:53 AM PST by SmithL
Berkeley's public library will face a showdown with the city's Peace and Justice Commission tonight over whether a service contract for the book check-out system violates the city's nuclear-free ordinance.
The dispute centers on a five-year, $63,000 contract the library wants to sign with 3M, an international technology company based in Minnesota, to service five scanner machines library patrons use to check out books.
But 3M, a company with operations in 60 countries, refused to sign Berkeley's nuclear-free disclosure form as required by the Nuclear Free Berkeley Act passed by voters in 1986.
As a result, the library's self-checkout machines have not been serviced in about six months. Library officials say 3M is the only company authorized by the manufacturer to fix the machines, which were purchased in 2004.
The library asked the Peace and Justice Commission for a waiver, but at its Jan. 5 meeting the commission voted 7-1, with two abstentions, to reject the request. The library is now appealing the decision to the City Council.
"We would not ever have selected 3M on our own, but we were thrust into this," said Donna Corbeil, director of library services. "We're not happy about it, but right now there's no alternative."
The checkout machines were formerly maintained by the manufacturer, a company called Checkpoint, but Checkpoint last year announced it was turning over its maintenance jobs to 3M.
Buying new machines or finding a new repair company would "have a big impact on our budget," Corbeil said. "At this point, we basically have no choice."
...
The commission reviews Nuclear Free Berkeley waiver requests several times a year, usually due to contracts between the city and UC, which conducts nuclear research. In those cases, the commission usually approves the waiver.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
“Peace and Justice Commission “
I stopped reading there.
They are certifiable!
It’s wrong to be Berkeley.
Eff ‘em. Let them continue using 3x5 cards from recycled Democrat speeches.
Headline I really want to see in the Berkley Daily Communist, “Fight Breaks out in the Peace and Justice Commission”.
Why does ANYONE do business with California anymore?!
For Berkely, its called you made your own bed...enjoy.
“Why does ANYONE do business with California anymore?!”
Because they know Berkley is a city and California is a state.
Too bad Berkeley isn’t an Idiot Free Zone.
“Gentlemen! You can’t fight in here! This is the Peace and Justice Commission!”
The entire state is getting as bad as Berkley!
After replying, I realized I should clarify... I was listening to more nonsense this morning about the Governator’s desire for more stringent air pollution controls on vehicles & was thinking about the truckers who will now have to retro-fit their fleets to comply. I would simply refuse to carry a load into CA, & if I lived there, I’d sell out & leave. The anti-business stance taken by virtually every state/county/city office in that state is just so ridiculous!
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