On Tuesday, voters approved the proposed budget for the Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia. This will mean a 3-cent increase in the library tax per $1,000 of assessed property value.
The budget passed by a four-to-one margin:
Yes: 252
No: 63
Also, library Board Member Beth Stich was reelected to another five-year term with 293 votes. She was unopposed.
For more information about the library's services, visit www.batavialibrary.org.
when was this vote I had no
when was this vote I had no clue this was being voted on and not everyone voted...of course...go figure...tax raises again
Mary, we published notice of
Mary, we published notice of the vote in the announcements section on the day of the vote, Tuesday, May 1, and we also had the information listed on the Home Page in the events/calendar section.
Yeah Mary it's so expensive a
Yeah Mary it's so expensive a whole $7.50 if you have a property assessed at $250,000.00 thats just awful to fund such a waste of time like a library. For shame Batavia.
(sarcasm for those who might not recognize it.)
Kyle you got it wrong..Its
Kyle you got it wrong..Its 1.52 per thousand....A house assessed at 250,000 pays 380 dollars...A house assessed at 100,000 pays 152 dollars..Most of us don't use the library..Its does seem high to me also...
Mark, not using the library
Mark, not using the library does NOT mean that what happens there doesn't affect you.
The Library is more than just books on the shelf, there are literacy programs that bring books to seniors in nursing homes, early reading programs for are youth and JOBS programs as well. The Library provides assistance for those with out internet to seek out employment and ap[ply for jobs online everyday (Some companies only accept online applications these days)
My wife serves as Vice President of NIOGA which is the board that regulates all libraries in Niagara, Orleans and Genesee Counties. They and all member librairies work diligently to provide information services for all people in communities. It is a crucial time for libraries as well, as much of what they do is transitioning to the internet it is sometimes forgatten the ancillary value that the library provides to communities developing reading skills in children and adults, assistance in research for businesses and individuals etc.etc.
There are certain institutions and services that need to be maintained. I know for fact, that a lot of work goes into keeping the cost of operating the library as low as possible. I also know for fact many of the little things the library does, would cost much more to the community if they were gone.
I am really big on reduced government and reducing the cost of government, but before you take an axe to a tree, you better make sure you have some shade from the sun once it's gone.
Mark i would say you are
Mark i would say you are probably bias on this issue since your wife works for NIOGA...I don't doubt that the library does a great service for some...I don't advocate doing away with it...But i do know that it has growing in size...It is really part of the school system..I don't understand why the vote on the budget is on a different day than the school budget..Is that so turn out always stays low..Why do we maintain a library at all the schools and at GCC...So i do believe we spend more than enough of Libraries..I was pointing out a fact to Klye of the actually cost..I believe it is up to the schools to teach children to read..We also have New York State Jobs center for people without internet to apply on line..We also have a senior center the elderly.....The Library is turning out to be more than what is was meant to be..A place to go and check out books to read........And for those of us who don't use it,the cost seem a little high.........
A bit late to worry about
A bit late to worry about this, since the vote is over. I voted yes. I think we get a good value for the money.
1. Mark I wasn't implying
1. Mark I wasn't implying anything at all, I was simply stating a point of reference in what the library actually does.
2. The library IS NOT PART OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, they severed two years ago in an effort to cut cost and provide more accountabilty and transparency. The school system still owns the building, but the Library is no longer part of the system
3> Finally, my wife is an RN in the ICU at UMMC,. she does not work for NIOGA, she serves on the board representing Batavia and as Vice President of the Board
I was not attemptiong toi argue with you, just state some library activities that many are unaware of.
Howard, that would be a good
Howard, that would be a good poll question.
Mark P. states "most of us don't use the library".
I wonder how many of your readers either do or don't use the library.
A little Library usage Data A
A little Library usage Data A bit dated and has since increased, I am sorry I do not have the updated numbers in hand,
Number of library card holders
22,037
Number of people entering the library
186,620 (2010 Total) About 718 people per business day
Programs
Programs for Children
Number of programs
486
Number of children attending
10,024
Programs for Young Adults
Number of programs
245
Number of young adults attending
5,013
Programs for Adults
Number of programs
88
Number of adults attending
2,710
Mark i was not arguing with
Mark i was not arguing with you..I respect your point of view .I did misunderstand you when you said your wife is the vice president of NIOGA..For me personally i don't use the library ..I have a library card never have used it....John i know the vote is over was just telling Klye what the actual cost it is to the property owner..I was one of the no votes,,..I believe we need the library..As i said i think it as grown into something more than what is spose to be about....It is not worth it for me personally..I'm sure to others it is...To me we should pay not on property value but divided equally to all property owners in the district that it covers.....Why does it cost me more or less to use then someone with property valued more or less then mine..But that would be to fair to all..............
Again Mark P, I didn't mean
Again Mark P, I didn't mean to imply that we were locked in arguement and I understand your point of view and respect it.
Cheers...Mark...
Cheers...Mark...
Mark.....you may be right
Mark.....you may be right about the total. However the amount they raised the taxes was an additional $7.50. So if the budget didnt pass then the amount would still be $1.49 per thousand. It makes your argument moot, and my point remains valid, THIS COMING BUDGET RAISES taxes a total of $7.50 for a person with a house assessed at $250.000.00 or as you pointed out, $3.00 for a house assessed at $100,000.00
This is another point where trust breaks down amoung the poeple of this community. You present the info in such a way that inflames people thinking the vote raised their taxes 152 dollars rather than the actual of 3.00 it raised their tax bill. (we are dealing with the number in the article which is what people voted on, not the 1.49 that was already in place.)
Its not just the library! Its
Its not just the library! Its everything..its prperty , sewer water, utilities rates goin up...I wnet shopping and understood when Dad said "when I was your age bread was 20 cents a loaf" I cant believe the prices I see. How can ppl afford to live? The wages are the same but everything is going up, including taxes...yes its only watever you calculated up there but all this other crap adds up to a heap of S***!
taxes raised means only one
taxes raised means only one thing to me anyway: pay raise....and please dont tell me there are only 315 voters in Blahtavia! I believe Im not the only one who had no clue about this....clueless in Batavia...dont matter anything ive voted against gets passed anyway...