The Star endorses Oro Valley joining the Pima County Library District.
Most of the editorial is a rehash of the article they published yesterday. They provide only the following "logic" in supporting their position:
"Regionalism is the path to our future, in transportation, air-quality control, water planning and in other duplicative, overlapping services — including libraries — that localities used to manage as separate fiefdoms."
Now, if that isn't a compelling reason then I can't imagine what is! Guess it should include regional approaches to police too. After all, there is overlap there. And how about lighting. After all, we all share the same sky!
Why would The Star bother to comment on Oro Valley's desire to separate itself from the Pima County Library District? The only reasonable conclusion is that it must have been a very slow news day in the Editorial room.
Click here to read the editorial.
6 comments:
Though I did not say so in the posting, I personally believe that this is an Oro Valley decision.
It is a question of local control. Do we or don't we want local control of our library or would we prefer to cede control to the County Yahoos?
As we posted yesterday, lets make the decision based on what is financially and qualitatively best for the citizens of Oro Valley.
While this is an Oro Valley decision...it should not be made by a select few who believe they know what is good for all.
Zee and Art, I don't know if you use the library; but have you noticed the amount of books,etc. that the good taxpayers of OV request from the county system? have you noted the limited "two year old or less books" provided by OV? The library should be more than a big rec hall providing free birthday parties and wedding space.
The last study I read showed due to the economic downturn more adults and children are reading and utilizing library services.
Economic downturn,less resources available,etc. ; just how do you suppose OV will be able to fund that libray by itself??
Is there any guarantee that those of us who like to read will continue to be offered the same great service if OV goes it alone?
I am afraid that OV will chose to use the library as a political tool. I am afraid that the funds will be a general fund for all OV expenditures not just the library and not for books.
I am concerned that when we wonder where the new books are? we will be told "pay more taxes"! Are you ready for a secondary property tax for the library, a park, and who knows what else???
I am also very disappointed in the selfish attitude of the Friends of the Library who seem to be more interested in what they gave and time invested, etc. than in what future costs will be to the taxpayers of OV.
Economy of scale has always shown that some services are better provided regionally -
raindancer
Let's see:
County Property Tax.
State Property Tax
Oro Valley Property Tax.
Hummm. Moving Van?
While I'm no great fan of Pima County, I don't dismiss a County-run library as a lack of "local control."
The OV Friends of the Library are a terrific group of people, and their contributions to the success of the library are almost immeasurable.
However, that should not be the criterion by which we make this decision.
The Town has to pony up half the operating costs of the library--a number which will soon grow to nearly one million dollars. At the same time, residents are paying the taxes to the library district. This scenario cannot continue without serious financial consequences.
The County library system is first-rate, and we have all had the ability to have draw on all of its resources through the current agreement. I've used the library to access books from the U of A, from Pima College, and from across the nation. And, while the library is a convenient "meeting center" in the absence of any other municipal facility, there are costs associated with that role, too.
As much as I love the sound of the "Oro Valley Library," I think that marriage to the County system is ultimately in everyone's best interest. I'm sure that McKee's committee did its due diligence, but there are too many positive factors on the County side of the equation to dissuade me from the reluctant opinion that it's time to join with the larger organization.
We don't know if the League of AZ Cities and Towns will endorse a proposal for individual library districts. Even if they do, that's a long way from having legislation passed in Phoenix.
B-b, I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment on this issue; it was concise, to the point, and voiced without denigrating the stance of those who may not concur. The issue does need to be settled once and for all and done so in a manner of cooperation not confrontation with the County. I am certain that issues relative to the existence of the 'Friends of the Library' can be worked out within the framework of regional inclusion.
Our tax dollars MUST be applied in a rational manner. Those things normally reserved for regionalisim should 'live' as such (as much as I personally don't like some of it); we can't just cherry pick those things that we would like to overwhelmingly control.
The Zee Man has taken over and done a more than admirable job on the postings during my absence.
I now have the chance to comment and will reiterate my position.
As things stand now, we are being double taxed. If our government can talk either the State Legislators (unlikely) or the County Supervisors (more unlikely) to eliminate the double tax, then we can remain autonomous.
If not(which is very likely,) let's join the other 26 branches in the Pima County Library system.
"It 'ain't' all that bad."
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