I am a homeowner in Olympia and support the ballot initiative Proposition 1 to have a temporary levy lid lift in support of Timberland Regional Library (TRL).
Here’s why.
It would only increase my property tax by roughly $5/month, or $60/year. I check out items from the library on a weekly basis that have a retail value of $100 to $200, freeing up my funds to spend elsewhere in the community.
TRL is valuable to the whole community because it provides free services beyond books, movies and music. Patrons also have access to free WiFi internet when at a local branch, as well as free printing, photocopying, scanning and faxing.
I recently used the Library of Things to check out a blood pressure monitor and found it easy to use.
I am also really concerned about the potential loss of library staff jobs if the levy lid lift measure fails. This would adversely affect the library, reducing hours and possibly even closing certain branches. There would also be an obvious and immediate, adverse effect on staff, their families and the general community.
I encourage readers to vote Yes on Proposition No. 1 when they vote on Nov. 3!
John Kistner
Olympia
