ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.
“Are you threatening me? Why ya stupid toad… I oughta beat your brain out.” — Rocky Rococco in “Nick Danger, Third Eye.”
After the Dorr Township Library’s second millage defeat last August, the Library Board had to go back to the drawing board. The director and board members came up with a plan with two major changes: Reduce the asking price from a mill to 0.6 mill and have the vote during the March 10 presidential primary rather than wait until August.
The first of the two is likely to have a positive impact. The latter has met some criticism, with some skeptics accusing library officials of trying to sneak the proposal past an unwary public more interested in nominating presidential candidates.
Since then I have seen and heard plenty of good reasons for having the special millage election in March rather than in the August primary.
- The presidential primary in Dorr gives voters just two questions for their consideration — the Democratic or Republican presidential nominee and the 0.6-mill levy for the library. The August primary would include a sea of other candidates and issues, so the levy issue could be overlooked in a crowded ballot.
- The “Sword of Damocles” concept. In ancient Greece, the sword was symbolic of something horrible hanging over your head, something that had to be eliminated as soon as possible. By deciding the library question as early as March, library officials would be able to spend more than nine months making plans for hours and programs, knowing what money will be available at end of 2020.
- If the request is defeated again on March 10, it would allow the Library Board go back to the drawing board again to craft another proposal in the August primary.
- Library officials are not sugar coating this crisis. The funding already ran out Dec. 31, 2019, and if the millage is defeated yet again, more cutbacks would be required, perhaps even closure of the facility.
This is not just a threat, it’s a promise. It is the duty of the Library Board and Director to inform voters what will happen if the request doesn’t pass.
So while there was some controversy last fall when library officials decided to come back with a new request on March 10, it seems to me this indeed was the most sensible option. So now it’s up to voters in less than two month to decide whether or not they want a library at all.
This millage is a reasonable request. It is unfortunate the Library Board has made 2 huge errors in coming to this conclusion. Please vote yes in March. I hope the residents of Dorr will support this reasonable millage and keep our library open.
“Since then I have seen and heard plenty of good reasons for having the special millage election in March rather than in the August primary”.
“The presidential primary in Dorr gives voters just two questions for their consideration — the Democratic or Republican presidential nominee and the 0.6-mill levy for the library. The August primary would include a sea of other candidates and issues, so the levy issue could be overlooked in a crowded ballot”.
So the average voter is unable to read the whole ballot? You are calling the average voter ignorant! Please help my misunderstanding on this issue.
“By deciding the library question as early as March, library officials would be able to spend more than nine months making plans for hours and programs, knowing what money will be available at end of 2020”.
By waiting five months (free August election) and not wasting thousands more to run a March election they would show good judgement in saving money. It’s unfortunate that they (the library board) didn’t learn from the last election that wasted thousands as well.
“If the request is defeated again on March 10, it would allow the Library Board go back to the drawing board again to craft another proposal in the August primary”.
How many times does the Library Board need to hear the word NO! I had learned elected officials should serve their constituents. The majority have spoke at the ballot box and have said no. It certainly appears that this board is serving themselves. It might be time to replace the board. If the Library Director is forcing the board on this issue maybe it’s time for the director to go.
“Library officials are not sugar coating this crisis. The funding already ran out Dec. 31, 2019, and if the millage is defeated yet again, more cutbacks would be required, perhaps even closure of the facility.”
You are probably right. They might need to make some cut backs. I know when my revenue goes down I need to make adjustments to my budget. I expect my elected officials to do the same. Instead they expect that the tax payer to step up and pay more. The well is dry. Even with all the snowbirds that will be out of town for this sham job (special election), I hope the few people that will show up and vote will soundly defeat this question once again.
Cheers!
Seems the big question is why is that lower millage request going to be a saving of the library….when if they didn’t get that huge millage the library was doomed?
If you are truly not “sugar coating ” the issue…please let the voters know what services will definitely be cut, what hours of operation, etc.
Please do not lead us to believe this millage will keep things going if it will not.
Be truthful and say the library will close on January 1 2021….
With a definite closing date the voters will than give you the answer
Mr Smit,
Your observations are spot on. Thanks for your input! You know the Township of Dorr will not let this facility go under. They (Dorr Township) operated this library long before a special millage was formed.
Where does the editor come up with “If the library millage doesn’t pass on March 10 Dorr Township Library will close in 2021” Scare tactics and more fake news.
Cheers!