To the Editor:
I am in support of libraries, but it has to be done right. Keizer needs to stand on its own, but most importantly it needs to be done in a very sound fiscal way.
We do not need to do funding with a, well—it may cost you more in a couple of years when this stop gap funding is proposed to cease. What then? If we want to continue, does the price goes up? Does it double, triple or what? Let us learn from some of the history of us not being “equal partners.” I will use the Willow Lake Treatment Plant as an example and the “sewer surcharge.” It took us forever to get that mess straightened out and the charge to go away.
If it is put to the voters and they say yes, then it can be a line item in the budget for all to see and understand. There are those of us in this community that keep on top of things that are occurring or being proposed that affect this community. Many of us also have very busy lives and do not follow things that are being done by our government or being proposed to our city. Our Keizer Library is an example of what we “can” do. Can it be better?—Absolutely. We have come a long way in this community since my family moved here in the early 1960s. We have done very well in my opinion.
Now, let us get all the facts: what it takes to make this happen in a responsible way, how much staff does it take, how many hours will it be open, in other words we need to have a budget idea of what this would cost us: salaries and benefits, insurance, utilities, maintenance, equipment needs, just for a few things. What type of standard do we have to meet and what will that cost be? Is it going to be a city position to run this or are they (Librarian) answerable to a staff person or Council as a whole?.The last couple of years have been a challenge for all of us, our life has not been normal. We are getting back to an even keel, but this could stop all the progress we have made on getting back to normal. So, I am asking with all due respect that you put this out for a vote. Let us hear from as many of Keizer’s citizens as possible.
Jacqueline Moir , Keizer