By Ted Paul, Guest Columnist
The ladies at the Andrews Public Library go above and beyond their call of duty, and without a doubt provide valuable services to the town. And funding for the library is a cause worthy to be fought for.
I love the library. I always have, and always will.
That being said, as elected officials, the board has a duty to the citizens of Andrews. We must responsibly spend their tax money.
Andrews’ financial situation is stable. It is not unlimited. In fact, the state, which is still keeping a watchful eye on our finances, has recommended that, at our current rate of spending, we raise our tax rates next year then raise our water rates the following year. Our citizens cannot afford a hit like that.
The board is 100 percent against this. Initially, it was proposed that funding for the library be cut to $40,000. This was quickly dismissed. The matter was then tabled for discussion.
Through “negotiations” between myself, on behalf of the board, and Franklin Shook it was determined that they were willing to fund $60,000, plus building upkeep. This comes to roughly $80,000. It is a 20 percent cut. That’s tough, I know, but it is $40,000 better than the initial proposal.
In my opinion, the board acted generously. Here is why:
- The library in Andrews is open 37 hours per week. We support two full-time employees and two part-time employees. Every person who has a job knows a work week is 40 hours, and only one person does your job.
- The Andrews area (Andrews, Marble, Topton) has roughly 10 percent of the population served by the Nantahala Regional Library, but the Andrews Public Library has around 30 percent of the NRL’s paid employees. This is from a SNLC statistical report of N.C. public libraries.
- $80,000 is around 14 percent of the entire tax base for the Town of Andrews to a non-revenue-producing entity.
The thing about this that baffles me the most is the apparent unwillingness of NRL management to budge even a little or cooperate.
I asked Mr. Shook specifically for bare minimum numbers to operate the library as is and also for a bare minimum number to operate only four days a week. He was either unable or unwilling to provide them. I mentioned volunteers, perhaps charging a small fee for services or other small remedies to help alleviate
the funding setbacks. All seemed to fall on deaf ears.
Quite frankly, I was taken aback. I went from being a library advocate to being a neutral parry, at best.
That being said, I encourage Andrews taxpayers and library patrons alike to make your opinions known. So far the patrons are.
I said when I ran for office that I would listen to my constituents and act accordingly. I stand by that. No decision has been made.
The next board meeting is at 6 p.m. Thursday in the community building. Come and be heard.
The writer is an Andrews alderman.