Archive: Opinions

EditorialIn May 1536 people voted, and the Library proposition lost by 32 votes.  That was considered a good turnout, though it is a fraction of eligible voters.  Last Tuesday 1307 people voted, and the library passed by 65 votes.  Again, a good turnout, especially since it was at an odd time for a vote, determined by when the county voting machines were available.  The gap was twice the size of the last one, and one way of looking at it is that even with 230 fewer voters the library gained 97 votes.  This time it was less close.  But still close.

So which is it?  Is Lansing truly split on the issue of funding a public library, or is there a majority of yeasayers or naysayers that stayed home on an icy, rainy day?

Funding the library is what I would have called a no-brainer.  It only costs per property taxpayer about what one book would cost, so if you take out two books in a year you have doubled your money.  It is a beautiful facility paid for by private donations, not taxpayer money.  Libraries increase property values.  The tax can't go up without taxpayer approval.  The people behind the library have been fiscally conservative and responsible -- there is no debt or mortgage.  A chartered library brings state and couty taxes back to Lansing.  The services they provide the community are diverse and include some the schools can't provide.  Bottom line -- a tiny little tax for a great public facility.  In fact, I have called it a no-brainer.

But others say defeating it is a no-brainer.  At a time when state and local taxes are onerous, approving another taxing authority of any size or kind is not desirable.  Those who can least afford it feel that those who want a library should take the drive down to Ithaca and go to the county library.  They are distrustful of library official's pledge to keep the tax at its current level for years to come.

If you simply argue the philosophical point, voting against the library is like Scrooge making Bob Cratchit work on Christmas.  But if you look at it in the context of the larger tax picture, it is not an unreasonable stand to take.  What will be next?  A town museum?  A town theater?  What is reasonable for a town with a population (including the Village of Lansing) of about 11,000?

I still say a library is a good idea.  And library officials seem to be sensitive to taxpayers' fears.  They have outlined ways they will keep the fixed budget for years to come.  The idea is that a third of the budget is targeted at growing the collection, with the other two thirds for a librarian's salary and operating costs.  But because they can apply for grants to purchase books and other materials, that makes a third of the tax money flexible to include future salary raises and unexpected energy hikes.

If the library gang had no history I would be pretty suspicious myself.  I went to college in the 'show me' state, and I'd say 'Show me that you are fiscally responsible before I give you some of my hard earned cash.'  But I don't have to say it, because they have done it.  The library has been in Lansing for seven years, has gone through two capital projects, has grown the collection to 14,000 items, provides a wealth of services including the very successful Summer Reading Program, has fostered good working relationships with the Lansing Schools and the Town.  And doesn't owe any money.

They are even talking about raising more money to pay the county fees that will be levied until the official charter comes through.

The people who stood for election to the new library board are the same people who brought this gem into our community at no cost to taxpayers.  They've shown us.  Because of that I trust them to continue in the same vein, keeping costs down and services up.  If they do they will serve as a model for existing taxing authorities.  And we will continue to have a gem in the heart of our town.

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