Letters
March 27, 2010

Library’s value

Hood River County is unique in many ways in the state of Oregon, including the way we pay for county services.

Our county has a total operating budget of about $33 million annually. Property taxes make up only $2,280,000 or about 7 percent of the total which is less than half the average rate of the other 35 Oregon counties. The majority of the remainder comes from county forest lands, state and federal support.

Unfortunately timber demand is low today and the forest lands will not generate the revenues required to balance the operating commitments for the county. The board of commissioners must have a balanced budget in the 2010-11 cycle.

To help achieve a balanced budget, the commissioners decided that after June 30, 2010, the library will receive no county funding. A yes vote for a library district is the only option to continue to have a public library system in our county. A no vote closes the doors on July 1, 2010.

To determine the tax rate for the library district, the starting point was the current operating budget. Last year the library budget was about $740,000. If additional county support is included, the real number is close to $850,000. This amount allows the libraries to operate at only 70 percent of normal hours and provides almost no money for the purchase of books. Most of the library employees this year work part-time and will receive no health or retirement benefits.

The levy budget is designed to restore library services to pre-cutback levels and provide adequate support to continue as an independent district. The levy will increase potential funding about 37 percent restoring operating hours to the 2008 level and providing adequate staffing for the operations.

The levy provides money for the purchase of new books and adequate support to continue to serve the communities of Hood River, Parkdale and Cascade Locks now and into the future.

The proposed library levy is 70 cents per $1,000 or about $210 for a property valued at $300,000. For this property the cost to support the county library system is about 59 cents a day.

It is true that the library district represents an additional tax on all property owners in the county, but the amount is reasonable when placed in perspective. What is unknown is the cost to our communities if we no longer have a public library system.

Al Gosiak
Hood River

Library counts

I have a library story: When we moved to Hood River in 1971, there were no kindergartens in the public schools, so our youngest son (just turned 5) walked the two blocks down the hill past United Telephone (now the County Administration Building) past the Safeway (now the Hood River News) to Joan Lynch’s private kindergarten in Riverside Church.

In those days State Street was not a challenge to cross, so the library was often part of his itinerary. On one visit, according to Librarian Aileen Gaddy, he stopped in to “reply for a job.“

Fast-forward to 2008 when Bill and his friend and illustrator, Wayne Shellabarger, stood before a group in the beautifully refurbished Hood River County Library and read excerpts from “Veeps,“ their just-published book about the vice presidents of the United States.

It was a proud moment for the families, and now a sobering realization that we may lose our library — this most valuable asset to our community — this nurturer of books and ideas that not only preserves our past, but affirms our future. Its closing would be a tragic loss!

Please vote YES on May 18.

Catherine Kelter
Hood River

At a crossroads

After the recent vote in the House of Representatives, where 219 Democrats ignored the wishes of the people they were supposed to represent, we have come to a crossroads.

Now when someone asks what type of government we have, we can no longer say “representative government.” What should we call it now?

Mike Farmer
Hood River

Another property tax

After reading the responses to John Brennan’s letter suggesting that the time has come for those who want to use the library to pay a fee for that use, I was motivated to comment on the issue. I agree with John.

It is about time government starts tightening its belt as the rest of us have to do. Oregon state has doubled its budget in 10 years and yet the people voted to increase taxes again. And guess what: They again tell us this is not enough and they need more.

Our state community college budget is being cut from $440 million to $400 next biennium. Does that mean a certain group of people will want another property tax increase to make up the difference?

The question is: Where and when do “We the People” say enough is enough? I can tell you for sure my salary hasn’t doubled in the last 10 years. If you want another service just for yourself and it is not already paid for by the taxes we pay, it is time for the users to pay for what they individually use.

The library is not an essential service, especially with the Internet and school libraries.

I believe it is time to start saying NO to ever-increasing taxes. John already outlined some of the many special taxing districts we pay for through the property tax. How many more special district taxes are going to be loaded onto those who pay property tax?

Mike (Brink, March 17), I am confused by what you think America is all about? Are you against people who pay their taxes and might suggest there should be a limit? Don’t you believe in free speech and the opportunity for anyone to disagree with your position?

John never said he wouldn’t pay the tax if it is passed by the voters. How do you come up with freeloader? What gives you the right to decide that someone is making good money and is therefore a freeloader not worthy to live in this country?

Norman Brent Holman
Hood River

Just another tax

Two things jumped out from the March 20 paper:

“Impacts:”

1. County budget

“A 20 percent budget cut will be needed for 2010-11 as the county seeks to stabilize its fast-disappearing timber revenues, announced County Administrator Dave Meriwether.”

Is it making sense to be raising taxes, i.e., requesting the library tax?

2.“Local Economy” “I’m a little concerned because of the vacant stores downtown, (City Manager Bob) Francis said ... (I wonder why — hello, Hood River, wake up!) We are taxing ourselves out of our own town.

I enjoy and love the library! I just DO NOT want to see another tax to support it. And what about the budget for the following years?

Please inform the people what the expenses are for the library, and also what they are for! Salaries, water, heat, etc.

Perhaps if the people feel better informed; they could vote accordingly. It just seems to me that the government solution to more revenue these days is just another tax

Linda Holloway
Hood River

Letter to a thief

So how does it feel? You came on someone else’s property and stole a tractor, loader, blade and tiller. You tore up property stealing it. You violated someone else’s space. A wonderful farmer noticed it hidden in the bushes, we got it back and now you don’t have it anymore! Just explain how that feels.

You might have stripped off some parts and sold them and made some money, but remember: You are being watched. The money you might have made by selling a few parts will never be worth what you will go through for punishment.

The people of Hood River are amazing. They all came together and watched for us and found the tractor. The missing parts will be found also and so will you.

Never underestimate the people of Hood River. We come together and stick together. You will be found and you will be prosecuted for your theft.

Thanks to all of Hood River for being our eyes and ears and finding the missing tractor. The Hood River Valley is one amazing place and so are the people that live here.

Rick and Terri Martz
Hood River

Schools have compost

The high school organic garden wants fertilizer. The schools produce waste paper, kitchen scraps, grass clippings, etc. All make great organic compost.

Paul Nevin
Hood River

Library helps growth

The Hood River library was one of the 2,500-plus libraries built by money donated by Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie donated $17,500 to the City of Hood River in 1912, and these funds were matched by the people of Hood River (a requirement under the Carnegie Formula to receive grant money).

The people of Hood River found a way to raise $17,500, a tremendous amount of money in 1912, so that our community would have a library! Those who received a Carnegie grant were deemed to be industrious and ambitious, which still defines the people of Hood River and its county.

The town provided the site, annually provide 10 percent of the cost of the library construction to support operation and provide free service to all.

Another requirement was the willingness of people and government to raise taxes to support the library. Hood River met the criteria to receive our grant and we must fulfill our obligations to support our library!

Carnegie’s personal experience as an immigrant, who with help from others worked his way into a position of wealth, reinforced his belief in a society based on merit, where anyone who worked hard could become successful.

The next time you climb those stairs leading up to the front door of OUR library; realize the stairs symbolize a person’s elevation by learning and the light fixtures symbolize enlightenment.

For nearly 98 years, the citizens of Hood River County have been educated by the books in our library. How many children have grown up borrowing toys and books, attending story-time sessions and escaping the summer heat to read inside the cool, quiet oasis?

What about those of us who cannot afford to purchase books or attend institutions of higher learning? The library provides freedom for those who will embrace the opportunity to read and to work to better themselves.

What about the senior citizens on fixed incomes who depend on the library to provide a social connection to their community and to provide the books that are perhaps one of their few pleasures in life? What happens to a town without a library? It is a lost opportunity for all of us.

We, as a community, are being asked to help keep our library open. Let’s work together by finding ways to fund our library — by approving additional taxes, by personal donations, by fundraising, by picking up an additional job.

Ask yourself, “What can I cut out of my budget to redirect the savings towards the community library fund?” Whatever it takes, if we pull together — we can make dreams come true. I would like to thank each of our librarians for their dedication and caring support. Your actions have touched the lives of so many in our community.

Anne Coxon
Hood River