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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Top Galleries: November 8, 2006 Jackson County Library levy falls short By Damian Mann For the Tidings Voters on Tuesday rejected a levy Tuesday that would have helped prevent Jackson County libraries from closing their doors if a federal timber tax subsidy evaporates. "I'm disappointed that we can't ensure the public that we will continue to give them excellent library service for the next five years," said Ronnie Budge, county library director. The five-year local option levy received 22,722 votes in support and 33,170 against, according to the Jackson County Election Center at just after 11 p.m. Tuesday. Jackson County Library Services sought the levy after the county learned it might lose $23 million annually from the federal government. Libraries asked voters for a five-year levy of 66 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation to continue operating at current levels. The library levy would have generated an estimated $8.2 million in fiscal year 2007-08 to maintain libraries at current levels. Taxpayers would only pay for the levy if the county loses the federal subsidy, as expected. Without the levy and without the federal timber tax subsidy, all 15 libraries could close their doors if Jackson County can't find another way to fund them. This comes after voters approved a $38.9 million bond measure in 2000 to expand or build new libraries throughout Jackson County. If the county loses the federal money, it could not only close libraries, but shut down rural sheriff's patrols and cut back on health services. Budge said she was surprised at the large numbers who voted against the levy. She said this is the first election that she didn't receive many phone calls in the days leading up to the election, giving her an indication that something was different. At this point, Budge said she didn't know if library supporters would make another try for a bond in the future. "I really have no idea," she said. "We will have to assess things and look at the vote." She said she will be meeting with county officials in the coming weeks to discuss the options for dealing with the levy's failure. Genie Gilliam, chairwoman of the library advisory committee, said she is still hopeful the county will get the funding it needs from the federal government. "That would give us more time to work out some different scenarios," she said. "There is the option of closing, but we're looking at every other option before that happens." Current Comments: I've never lived in a place that voted down an initiative for the library. Do people in Jackson County not read? Did the left-wing libs who voted in the green party not attach value to keeping their libraries open? Curiouser and curiouser. kathleen - ashland, OR - November 8th, 7:32 PM For the last year or so I've been reading the online coverage and comments about how Ashland has changed, what these changes mean, and what residents want Ashland to be like in the future. A lot of concern has been expressed about the type of person Ashlanders want to move to their town. You've just taken a big step in determining who will want to move there. You've just Marcia - Los Angeles - November 8th, 8:12 PM If they were talking about public school closures, I think the public outrage would differ. Libraries are taken for granted, until they no longer exist for internet access and for help with children's homework. This is a dis-service to the working poor as well - the right to read and access to datatbases, internet, and books for young people and adults. Cynthia H - Denton TX - November 8th, 9:04 PM After spending 4 yrs in the Vail Valley then 4 yrs in Denver, I was spoiled to fantastic library services. I have been appalled at the shortage of services and hours since moving to Ashland early in 2006. It is unthinkable that this community would be willing to forgo the meager service that is currently available. I had support for quiet,comfy reading areas, good best-seller availability, book clubs, shut-in needs, best sellers, and cheerful, helpful librarians. Not here! what now? yikes! Cindy Barnard ( [email protected] ) - Ashland, OR - November 8th, 9:26 PM This is just appalling. Libraries are the pillar of intelligent communities who value education. Get ready for the next generation to be filled with dummies. Dumber than they already are. This is just plain sad. The internet will never replace the value of what a library can offer a community. How sad that the people in this area don't get it. And then they wonder why there are few business opportunities here...it is all interconnected. Dumb people yields a dumb community. Jon - Ashland - November 8th, 9:47 PM Come on folks it's funding that's required, not finger pointing. Campaign the corporations making more than enough money locally to give back, Lithia, Kodak, all the mills, all the construction companies (LTM, etc), developers (Mahar, etc), Shakespeare, Harry & David, etc. Legalize pot and prostitution, tax the hell out of it. Cut Library's even further, hours 2-8PM. Centralize all new books. Create new programs. Big screen movies/sports/games. Conference room rentals. $1 entrance fee. HELP!!!! John Dennis - Ashland since '75 - November 9th, 9:03 AM Kathleen, You can believe for sure that it is NOT the left wing libs who voted against the library funding...it is the old guard republicans who would do something so stupid as that. Which one are you? Hmmm...I wonder. Jon - Ashland - November 9th, 9:50 AM John Dennis, Why on earth would it matter when you arrived in Ashland? Does that make your opinion somehow more valuable? I don't get it?? You're still a transplant. Jon - Ashland since '73.5 - November 9th, 10:52 AM Evan though I don't live in Jackson Co.,the libraries closing will effect my family. Our elected officials need to do thier job and find a way to fund these wonderful libraries. Bruce Hansel - Grants Pass, Or. - January 4th, 2:40 PM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising Inkjet Printers Student Loans Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Advertisement: Copyright © 2007 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.