Monday night’s Council saw a surprise U-turn on the plans when councillors voted four to three in favour of pursuing federal grant money.

But General Manager Glenn Wilcox said councillors Margaret O’Connor, Mayor Laurie Bishop and Andrew Murat had, after the meeting, put forward a recission motion so the item would be revisited at the June council meeting.

This again throws into turmoil the possibility of council applying by the end of July  for a grant from the National Stronger Regions Fund, which could provide a payment of up to $10 million towards a new library provided it is matched dollar-for-dollar.

Cr O’Connor said she supported the motion because it did not match a previous decision to explore other options to building a new library, and that she was concerned applying for a grant did not reflect the whole community’s wishes.

“I’m very concerned that the community is not bullied by one community group,” she said.

Cr Bishop said he had thrown his weight behind a rescission because Council did not have the funds to match a dollar-for-dollar grant application.

“it’s not really just about the library … it’s a question of how much people want to spend,” he said.

“It’s a very frustrating process because people do seem polarized.”

One of council’s strongest supporters for a new library, Jim Maher, said he was deeply dismayed by news of the rescission motion.

“I am not surprised and will fight the rescission motion, realising the numbers may not be in the chamber but I believe they are in the community,” he said. .

Herman Beyersdorf said he was disappointed in the motion as it would mean continued debate on the issue.

“Bearing in mind that some of us, including myself, were prepared to compromise by accepting the other motions put on the night, I am disappointed that this action will once more lead to a divisive and acrimonious issue, when we could all have been going forward on this issue, and actually getting things done,” he said. 

The issue will be voted on again at a the June 29 meeting.