Judge rejects Nutter's plea for reconsideration on libraries

Mayor Nutter formally asked Common Pleas Judge Idee C. Fox Monday morning to reconsider her order blocking his plan to close 11 libraries, and Fox denied him.

City Solicitor Shelley Smith said after a closed-door meeting with the judge and opposing Counsel that the administration had "discovered the substantial obstacles in trying to provide service and comply with the judge's order."

Fox ruled last week in favor of three City Council members, seven residents and the union representing library workers, who said Nutter had violated city law by failing to seek Council approval before closing city facilities. The 11 libraries, slated to close as of 5 p.m. Dec. 31, have remained open during regular business hours.

Nutter said over the weekend that he would have to drastically reduce hours and days of operation of libraries across the board to operate on a staff that was reduced by 111 positions, requiring 47 layoffs. "The tool of closing facilities must not be taken from him, in this unprecedented way, in the middle of a crisis," Smith argued in yesterday's petition to Fox. Nutter is looking to save $4 million this year to help close a $108 million deficit in this fiscal year alone.

Smith said the administration will appeal to Commonwealth Court.

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