Letter: Dislikes library plan

Raymond Hornung had a very convincing letter to the editor last week titled “‘Friends’ are breaking rules.” In his letter he eludes to the fact that the “Friends of the Library” are leaving “vote yes” literature illegally in the government-owned building of the library. Here is another tidbit of information: The Library Board voted 3 to 2 to use taxpayer funds to pay for the same illegal advertising, which was witnessed in the lobby of the library.

In addition, here are a few other facts, which failed to have been mentioned. The Robert H. Rohlf study that is constantly referenced was paid for with $8,000 of taxpayer money to get the results that the foundation, Friends and board wanted. Imagine, the library funding has increased 100 percent since 2002, and is now at $682,000. Yet, the estimated, not voted-on budget, is set at $950,000. How many of you can sincerely believe that a building five times the size of the current library can operate on less than a $300,000 increase when the utility expenses alone are almost $250,000? I call it impossible!

In the Rohlf study, he suggests that a library to replace the current one needs to be four times the size. He also arbitrarily suggests many other facility needs that can be considered extreme by many but factual by the very unaccountable groups pushing for this library. It is referenced throughout the literature that the writer pointed out last week.

This vote on April 1 should be “no” because of the lack of funding. This vote should be “no” because of a plan that is derived from a report that had a predetermined outcome. This vote should be “no” because the Library Board has nothing to do with this plan in any way to this point. This vote should be “no” because the ballot question in the city of Hudson is wrong. This vote should be “no” because the foundation is running the show, but yet not elected by anyone. The vote should be “no” because not a dime has been raised. The vote should be “no” because now is the wrong time to increase taxes dramatically. The vote should be “no” because there seems to be no “middle ground” with these people. The vote should be “no” because it is a bad plan. Please vote “no” because as a taxpayer, you are not being represented.

Tags: opinion, hudson, lettertoeditor, library