Archive: Opinions

EditorialI generally agree with those in Lansing who think we pay too much in taxes.  Unfortunately New York legislators rarely see a tax they can't fall in love with, and as a result our taxes are pretty high, both State and local.  So adding another local taxing authority is not normally something I would vote for.  And I admit I think twice and then think two more times before deciding how to vote on budgets and people who run for offices that can tax me.  Despite this, I am going to vote for the Lansing Library next Tuesday.

First of all, I am a sucker for fiscal responsibility.  In this age of loans and credit, show me someone who doesn't spend more than he has and you're looking at my kind of guy!  The library volunteers could have chosen to take out loans, or to commit money in the hope of raising it later, but they didn't.  They raised money by private donations, and then they did what they wanted to do, which included two capital improvement projects that are wholly paid for.  The organization is six years old, and has been operating in the black for that amount of time.  How many individuals do you know who can say that?

Some folks have said, 'Sure the current lot is fiscally conservative, but what if a future board of directors isn't?'  That is always a worry, but it is Lansing people who are doing this.  Aside from the library board's superb record so far, let's look at what other Lansing groups have done:  the Town Board has consistently kept tax rises at or below the cost of living for as long as I can remember.  The Village board is lowering taxes this year.  The Lansing Lions Club does everything on a shoestring, yet manages to give back in big ways to the community.  Ditto the North Lansing Auxiliary.  Another ditto for the Lansing Fire District.  If I didn't know better I'd almost say these people aren't New Yorkers!

Secondly it's a good deal.  The volunteers made sure to give the community a library, completed and whole, that has the capacity to serve the community for years to come.  Taxpayers didn't pay for that.  When library supporters say it is a 'gift to the community,' they're not kidding.  Could Lansing get such a good deal in the future?  I suppose it would depend on who was offering it, but I doubt it.  You know the adage about looking a gift horse in the mouth.  There is no doubt this library is a champion.

Third, it's not a lot of money.  Well, if you add it to all the other taxes you can see it as more.  But taken by itself it's not a whole lot.  For the approximate cost of one hardcover book you can have a library that will provide you and everyone in your family with as many books as you can read.  You couldn't take a date to one nice dinner for the amount it will cost.  Or a movie, especially if you buy popcorn.

Sometimes it's worth spending a little more when it's a good deal that will save you money down the road.  If the library charters it will be eligible for annual income from Tompkins County and New York State.  'But that's more of my tax money,' you say.  'Very true,' I reply.  'But if it didn't come back into our community via the Lansing Library it would go into someone else's community.'  It's a way for Lansing residents to get more bang for their buck.  Library supporters have also argued that having a local library is good for our property values.  That makes it one of the least expensive home improvement projects I've ever heard of.

Normally I don't publicly endorse candidates or initiatives.  I believe my role is to report them and let you decide what you think.  But this is such a good deal for the community, such high value for so little cost that I can't restrain myself.

Even so I urge you to decide for yourself.  Look at the facts, look at the cost, visit the library if you haven't already,  see for yourself.  Then vote on May 15.  Because I don't think we should authorize a new taxing authority unless the majority of us think it's a good idea.  For myself, I do think it's a good idea.  My two cents, or perhaps I should say: my 17 cents per thousand of assessed property value!

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