Letter to the Editor: Vote no on the library bond

The cornerstone of any community is a vibrant working class. In our community this cornerstone is hemorrhaging under the weight of housing costs. Good jobs are available but housing for the workers is not. If we are to raise taxes, then those monies should be directed towards building or subsidizing affordable housing, not building a $20 million library. For $20 million, the County could build approximately 25-30 1,000 square-foot housing units, or more if the land were donated. A vibrant working class is fundamental, a $20 million library is not.

I could understand a request to build a $5 million library or perhaps even $10 million. Spending $20 million on a new library smacks of Martha’s Vineyard. It is simply irresponsible, if not offensive, given our far more urgent needs.

Our Island’s roads are strewn with Vote Yes Library. These signs “…doth protest too much, me thinks.” The library’s advocates must fear that their dreams exceed the stomachs of our taxpayers.

Vote no.

Robert deGavre
San Juan Island

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