Letter to the Editor: Not the right time, not the right size, not the right need and not thought through

At the start, I need to say I have been a very grateful recipient of the library’s well-earned, worthy reputation while writing one book and now writing a double biography of a husband and wife; and I agree the library space is tight. But after much thought, as I was initially in favor of the new library, I am forced to reconsider with the presented rationale.

One cited reason for a larger building is that the library has programs where currently attendees overflow the reading space and into the circulation desk space, maybe into the front entry space and sometimes even into the children’s library. One reason for the new building is a place to present such programs which seems a lot of usually unused space and translates as money poorly spent. Moreover, in town there is already a vast supply of underutilized spaces from small meetings to large conferences available at a minuscule cost compared to the cost of construction plus annual utilities thereafter. The Grange, Key Bank, Masonic Lodge, Heritage Bank — and even the Fairgrounds — are already available, which gives argument the library staff may be under-thinking potential events caused by thinking all events must be located in-house. Last, all the listed places already have adequate parking, thus reducing required parking consideration of any future library parking needs.

A large portion of the current building is elevated. The building’s main floor could be strengthened, remaining basement elevation lowered and space created with access via interior stairwell for staff. This leaves only circulation on the main floor. This cost is probably 10-15 percent of the requested $20 million.

Last, it seems by moving staff into the new space and utilizing the new space on the main floor for book shelves and video equipment utilization, plus maintaining current seat count, the additional parking requirement should be eliminated.

The recent years of soaring property value and assessments have already resulted in a huge tax windfall when juxtaposed to increases of county resident income. As stated in a recent San Juan Update letter, taxes have raised close to 50 percent in just five years. This proposed additional debt service through the Library District only adds to the already ruthless tax burden the island working population and fixed-income retirees. Where does this stop? The stop needs to begin — sorry library — but here. Seems your first need is a professional fundraiser with a three-year goal for $15 million in 2025 dollars.

The argument about saving the former nursing home is being supported by people who are unaware of the building’s physical structure issues even before the flood damage of last winter. My recall is there are two major sewer issues regarding the original third of the building that require removing a large portion of the concrete floor and load-bearing walls to 114 hall because the main drain zig-zags under the hallway between toilet rooms along the hallway. And, the sewer drain from the northwest corner of nursing station — where 114 and North wing halls meet — to the street has an issue under that concrete floor also requiring replacement. And these are just beginning issues. The 2021 flood not only ruined the interior wall wood — what about the exterior wall structure, also made of the same wood? The building has only one viable option: removal.

For $20 million, this community is in grievous need of affordable housing at the apartment level. Businesses are closing due to unavailable employees. Businesses are forced to pay more for employees because minimum wage fails to cover cost of island living, in part, by inflating housing rates to cover the rocketing increase of local taxes.

A real-world situation is detailed. My one-bedroom apartment is $1,300 per month and, for this discussion, I use the 1950s/1960s personal budget percent when rent was budgeted at 25 percent. This means my current monthly income should be $5,200 per month; $62,400 per year; $31.50 per hour. Conversely, for those making the island’s current minimum rate of $18 per hour, their monthly income is $3,000 and their rent should be $750. At that income level, my current apartment rent of $1,300 reflects 43 percent of their $18 per hour income. The remaining $1,700 does not include payroll deductions which, with 10 percent for federal withholding, 7.5 percent for social security and at least 0.5 percent for L&I contribution, the remaining funds are not $1,700 but significantly less. Stated payroll taxes on $3,000 total $540, which means after the $1,300 rent, the single, no-children and no-animal full-time worker has $1,160 for:

• Groceries — $494 — roughly $130 per week
• Credit cards — $175 — car repairs, budget overruns, etc.
• Gas — $169 — roughly 200 miles driven per week
• Power — $90
• TV — $65
• Phone — $60
• Incidentals — $46

This leaves $61 — then the vehicle fails and they can’t get to work. Notice no dental and vision issues, no doctor and no medications — and cheap cigarettes are $11 a pack.

Lack of a centralized and cohesive community vision was demonstrated when island leadership failed to recognize and act on the urgent need to purchase the formerly available 160-acre Carter property cornered by the hospital and airport towards solving this island’s critical housing issue in a profound and long-term-solving manner.

I believe the $20 million bond the library seeks should be for essential housing. Service-oriented employers seek non-existent, on-island employees — today. Service employees wanting to work on this island need housing — today. I would be voting for this bond — today.

No doubt, the $20 and $25 hamburger is quickly on its way — but that could be curtailed. It is coming sooner because the dishwasher, cook, waitress, bartender, retail clerk, convenience store employee, grocery store employee, landscaper, office clerk, laundry operator, housekeeper, ferry parking lot person and others at this pay level need housing. When my landlord put out a vacancy ad and within an hour, I believe, he received hundreds of responses, something is seriously wrong. This happened in August of this year.

Enough low-cost housing will break this spiral by not only stopping run-away payroll but actually initiating competition amongst these very same employees. Did someone say supply-side economics applied to labor? Breaking that spiral would be an achievement from which every person living on this island would benefit — directly.

Terry Forsyth
Friday Harbor

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