Opinion - Letters to the Editor

POSTED: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

Defends decision to hold library vote

Vote "Yes" on Whatcom County Library System Proposition No. 1. While I respectfully disagree with The Bellingham Herald editorial board's decision to not endorse the tax increase, I am disturbed by the board's pronouncement that library system officials are "irresponsible" for putting the levy lid lift request before the voters.

Library system officials would be incredibly irresponsible if it did not ask the voters about the future of the library, because the library belongs to the public. When the decision was made to place the measure on the ballot, the leaders struggled with the decision because they knew the economy was not good. They understand unemployment is rising.

Yet they have also run into the limits from I-747 and can no longer keep the same level of services. I am ashamed of the Herald for choosing the word "irresponsible" to describe this thoughtful decision. I only have praise and admiration for a job well done by the library system board, administration, and director Joan Airoldi.

The question is very simple before the voters on Nov. 3: Vote "yes" to continue country library services at the present level or vote "no" to reduce the services. It's a very good question to ask.

Carl Crouse

Nooksack