An 'idiotic idea'
Dear editor:
In a distressing move, there are people in Garland County collecting signatures for a petition to defund the Garland County Library. They have been known to present the petition as a cost-saving move for the county, without disclosing the true nature of the petition.
To even ponder defunding the Garland County Library is an idiotic idea! This library is the heart and soul of our county for so many in our community. Not only does it provide a tremendous variety of books and resources, plus a cool place for children to come explore life and the world. Did you know that residents can check out fishing poles? Countless kids with big smiles leave the library with fishing poles in hand. How about the meeting rooms that are offered for free -- used for knitting classes, card playing, board meetings, AARP tax sessions and so much more? Our library may be just a quiet place to hop on the internet for some, for others it is the lifeline for college studies. Not to mention the fantastic garden plots that can be checked out so that residents can grow their own vegetables?
Show your love for our Garland County Library! If you are asked to sign a petition to save money in Garland County, ask questions. Read their petition. And speak up FOR our beloved library.
Kristie Rosset
Hot Springs
Save our library
Dear editor:
I was appalled to hear Tuesday evening that someone is trying to defund the Garland County Public Library. Signatures are being collected in an effort to abolish the tax used to maintain and operate the library. If they get enough signatures, then a proposal to abolish the tax can be placed on the November ballot. If the tax is abolished, then the library will permanently close.
There is no other pot of money sitting around to fund the operation of the library. None. The tax collected to operate and maintain the public library is specifically allocated for that sole purpose and, under the state Constitution, that tax cannot be used for any other purpose. The tax assessed for operating and maintaining the library was approved by voters in the 1990s and, unlike most everything else, it has not been raised since that time through careful budgeting and by the library using its limited funds wisely.
The proposal to abolish the small tax on property that is used for the sole purpose of keeping the library's doors open makes no sense. We are being handed tax relief in the form of individual income tax reductions and an increase in the homestead tax credit because, as our governor proclaimed less than one month ago, "the state's financial stability, increased economic growth, healthy reserve accounts," has put more money in the state's coffers than apparently is needed. So, why now look to abolish the small tax that supports our county library?
I believe there is no plausible reason to defund the library. It is the one institution that gives back way more than it gets. If you have a library card you can borrow books, read newspapers and magazines, take home videos to watch, have free access to computers, meeting rooms and programs designed to inform, enlighten and entertain us. The library is a safe haven for kids, providing resources for home-schooled children. It is a hub for making connections and a community center for all ages. The Garland County Public Library serves the public from cradle to grave and enriches our lives in the process. If the library is defunded, its doors will be locked, people will lose their jobs and the community will be so much the poorer. Please do not let this valuable resource be defunded.
Ellen Carpenter
Hot Springs
'Fuller' picture
Dear editor:
I was somewhat baffled by Mr. Crawford's characterization of my letter as a "missile"(not once but twice) and ending his letter with a not-so-veiled insult. It seems he wants a full picture concerning the points I made in my "missile."
He stated that buying an electric vehicle is simply a choice. Here is the full picture. California along with several other Democrat led states are mandating that 35% of new cars sold in 2026 must be EV, 65% by 2030 and 100% by 2035. I must admit that Virginia has already backed off those dates.
I agree with Mr. Crawford that Congress has failed on the border, but let's not pretend that President Biden has not been behind the "surge" he called for during the 2016 campaign. He has blocked "Starting on day one" all efforts of the previous administration which were working to meaningful extent.
I never suggested that President Biden called for defunding the police but I can easily quote 20 Democrat congressmen and senators that did along with many mayors and city councilmen. I do admit that many of them are backtracking now.
Title IX is a law created by politicians and "gives women athletes the right to equal opportunity in sports in educational institutions that receive federal funds, from elementary schools to colleges and universities." This administration has made many changes to the law diluting its concentration on women and expanding into LGBTQ and others. They are planning on releasing the rule on allowing biological men into women's sports until after the election. I admit that some of the changes are good.
Lastly, California passed a law signed by the governor (a politician) to increase the minimum wage to $20 except in restaurants that make bread. Keep in mind a good buddy of the Democrat governor of California owns Panera Bread. This law has so far caused a loss of jobs for 10,000 fast food workers.
I hope I was able to make the picture "fuller."
Dr. Bill Harper
Hot Springs
