Letter to the Editor: From the Vote Yes For Our Library committee

Posted October 28, 2022 at 7:38 pm by

On your ballot right now is the years-long campaign to build a new Library. The issue is shrouded in rumors and misinformation.

Many wonder why the Library itself has not done more to respond and answer people’s questions. The answer is simple — public agencies are highly constrained in their ability to campaign, and the Library is acting within the law. The Library has documents and facts on its website but must leave it to outside volunteers to campaign and advocate.

A dedicated group of volunteers has been trying to get the facts in front of voters with an extensive FAQ page and letters to the editor, as well as personal letters to friends and neighbors. Our site clarifies and guides you through the documents you see on the Library’s website.

We understand that the new Library represents expensive public construction. Our group believes that the right time for our community to improve civic infrastructure is now. By building it now, we’ll do it at a time where interest rates for public entities are at very reasonable levels – between four and five percent, a far cry from some of the misinformation floating around.

We believe that we are doing the right thing for the community, for this generation and the next, in voting yes for the Library. And we ask you, our friends and neighbors, to do so as well.

Louise Dustrude
Beth Helstien
William Appel
Dana Anderson
Eileen Drath
Gay Graham
Susan Mazzarella
Lovel Pratt
Boyd Pratt
Liz Pillow
Mark Madsen
Lara Braithwaite
Laurie Orton
Jean Griffin
Richard Grout
Alan Roochvarg
Lynn Weber/Roochvarg

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One comment...

  1. I agree the new building is needed, it’s needed now and I agree the price tag is probably worth it but we don’t know why it is so expensive and the real problem is the method of payment. Will the new building be as environmentally friendly as the hospital? What is the square foot of the proposed building? What does services would it provide the current was replaced? Does the planned building include design for addition of a future second floor? We know nothing to support this high cost.

    When St. David’s needed a new organ, and it truly did, they didn’t go to the diocese for the $35,0000, we raised all of it ourselves and in very short time.

    The library, too, could pay for it by itself with grants and pledges from those who want the new library and probably collect all the money in 3-5 years. Putting the payment onto those who cannot afford it and over 20 years is the problem for me.

    The library appears as a soldier who ran to the front line without a gun.

    Comment by Terry Forsyth on October 29, 2022 at 11:00 am

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