Some Bucks County residents turned out to express their concerns over the county commission’s plan to remove the law library and install a larger human services hub, one that could serve the homeless, among others.
“I understand they’re taking the law library away and putting homeless people in there,” said resident Edward Mackhouse.
“Wrong,” said Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia.
Commissioners told those worried about the new hub that they had been misinformed.
“The county is aware of an inaccurate post that was shared on a lot of social media about there being a homeless shelter being built in this building,” said Chairman Robert Harvie Jr. “It’s just completely untrue. Shockingly, you can’t believe everything you see on the internet.”
However, residents continued to raise questions about whether a “drop-in center” for the homeless will replace the current law library on the lower level of the county building in Doylestown.
Empty shelves at the Bucks County Law Library.
“Please enlighten us on what you’re doing with the law library and who’s paying for it,” said Beth Curcio.
Andy Warren, a former Republican county commissioner, called for dialogue.
“If there are rumors, and apparently there are rumors that I accept are not accurate, that this will not be a homeless shelter,” said Warren. “But we aren’t playing with words here, are we? It’s not going to be a homeless drop-in? It would have been very helpful if that information came first.”
Harvie said there are two different law libraries “which are redundant. One is being closed. The space (will be) used by Human Services to help people who come in here every day looking for the services we provide.”
Mona Chipman, a Buckingham resident, said, “I want an answer. I’m hearing many people concerned with what came out on social media and the potential homeless shelter being built here. The law books are being removed…I’m observing no interaction from you. Is this going to be a homeless shelter? Will it be a drop-in center? You just sit there and look extremely bored.”
Republican Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo also denied the new space was for the homeless to come and spend the day. With more than 30 years in government and politics, he said he’s worked on helping people with issues like drugs, alcohol, or mental illness.
DiGirolamo said he often hears people say they don’t know where to turn for help. The county human services workers “do a terrific job” helping them. And the current space is “not sufficient.”
Law books to be recycled
“This drug problem is not getting any better. It’s getting worse almost day by the day,” said DiGirolamo. “People need to know where to go for help…It is not going to be a homeless shelter. I can guarantee that.”
Harvie added the county is building a center in Lower Bucks to provide government services “more directly.”
Some residents remained upset.
“As a frequent user of the Bucks County law library, I am beyond saddened by the proposed and already implemented move of the library,” said Susan Vorwerk. “To suggest it is a comparable (room) is beyond ludicrous.”
The law library at the courthouse is 10 percent of the size of the one in the county building, she said. And if there is a federal grant for the new human services hub, are they sure they will receive it? Where will people be able to access legal information “without having to pay a lawyer $300 an hour?” she asked. “This is personally a huge financial concern for us.”
County Chief Operating Officer Margie McKevitt said that in 2018 and 2019, there was space on the second floor before the building was remodeled for the human services hub. It’s now used by the Board of Elections, which needed more room because of the change in the law for mail-in ballots. There is currently a small Human Services Hub on the first floor, along with veterans’ services, and those are “squeezed.”
“This is to provide services for the constituents who come into this building now,” she said.
Ellis-Marseglia said there is no funding or grant for the change.
“We are not keeping all that space open, so once and a while, people can look at the books,” she said. “We will find someplace for the books. We needed a bigger place so the veterans who come in here can privately talk to the counselor who is helping them.”
