October 30, 1991

My biggest concern today is the result of last night's Finance Committee meeting.  Right now I'm pretty resigned to the fact none of the library's decision items will be approved.  What I fear is the slash-and-burn mentality that Tim described last week.  I am relieved to discover no cuts reflected in the minutes.  Tim reports that the committee spent its time reviewing the capital budget.

"How do you think the library's request would have fared had it not been withdrawn?"

"I'm not sure what they would have approved," he responds.  "That's something you can't do without."

But who knows what will happen next year if Tom Ullsvik decides not to run for re-election.

I pick up Andy at daycare and fix a spaghetti supper.

October 21, 1991

Back to a normal routine after three days on cloud nine last week.

As a result of the domino-theory rumors regarding automation funding, a call to Tom Ullsvik is high on my list of things to do.  I still sense that I have his support, though I have no idea how that will translate into dollars by the time the 1992 budget is finalized.  In regards to an unrelated issue, he suggests that I attend the City Hall Building Committee meeting later in the day to address the need for a clear picture as to what the library's role will be in the temporary relocation of staff.  The consensus is that the meeting room will be used for council and committee meetings.

After supper I take Andy shopping for a Halloween costume.  We find a Turtle outfit, but not with Michaelangelo colors.  Only Donatello is available in his size, and I convince him that it's the best choice.  I also buy him a "laser" sword, which gives him such a charge that by the next morning the batteries are already dead.

Does this guy have a hole in his memory or what?  Back to a normal routine?  Not until I have to deal with a dead car battery, wait for a truck from a nearby service station stop by to give me a jump, drive Andy to daycare since JoAnna wanted to get to work early.  Andy must not have closed the passenger door all the way after returning from his trip to Marshall Park with Auntie Barbara and Eddie.  And of course Barb would never know to check.  Two more months.  At least I'm plugging for a pre-Christmas release.

September 26, 1991

I review my budget presentation to the Finance Committee three or four times, highlighting key phrases with a yellow magic marker and adding a few key words in the margins.  I take a couple of hours off during the afternoon and spend most of that time playing with Andy.  I'm scheduled for 6:45 but from previous years, I know the Police Chief will need more than his allotted time.  I feel fairly relaxed as I start my presentation, but I'm way too focused on taking care of business when a compliment from Tom Ullsvik goes right by me.