Letters to the editor
The greatest educator begins with a book
Where would we be without libraries? A library is a building full of knowledge open to all with no regard to wealth, race, education or occupation. A library is a building with an open invitation to come in and learn. Libraries have been on this earth for centuries and have educated people since man could read and write. Libraries today have also entered into the 21st century by offering services online, including downloading audio books, online databases of periodicals, and even an auto repair reference center.
We, the people of Lake County, will soon be asked to approve a mill levy to provide funding for a library district that will include the areas of Polson, Valley View, Big Arm, Elmo, Proctor, Dayton, Rollins and the East Shore to Yellow Bay. If approved, this funding will aid in the continuation of library services to all including our future generations.
A library falls in the category of education. Education is the most vital part of our country and budgets should never be cut. It is up to us, the people of this county, of this country to see that our future will strive through education with schools and libraries. Vote "yes' for the library district levy beginning July 8. I close with this quote which says it all. "If you think education is expensive, wait till you see what ignorance costs you."
Karen Bach
Rollins
Vote 'yes' for library levy
A dentist will tell you if you ignore your teeth, they will go away.
If you ignore our library, it will also go away or at least it will have to cut many of the services or eliminate them entirely. What a shame this will be for Polson.
None of us want more taxes, period. However, many people have banded together in the past to work on projects that have made Polson grow and prosper. Please, let's not go backwards. Just to name a few successful projects due to the foresight, hard work and contributions of many people, we now have:
1. A new well-equipped hospital.
2. A new, facility for Fishes and Loaves.
3. Our beautiful hanging baskets, flowering planters and trees on Main Street and well-designed landscaping at the court house.
4. The Salish Point project which has docks, a safer boat launch area, and a swimming area marked off by a line of buoys to protect the children and adults. In addition, there is a grassy picnic area.
Our library is funded by the city, county, state and gifts.
The largest of the funding is the city, which has had to reduce the money appropriated. The library relies on 35 percent of its budget from gifts, which unfortunately are not a reliable source of funding. The county and state monies are minute. New books, new services, building repairs and building upgrades all must be put on hold unless this levy passes. And alas, we go backwards.
I know this library is a means of entertainment for many young families who cannot afford other types of entertainment.
I know a family that uses the computers at the library for school projects because they do not have a computer at home.
There are 300 computer users each week at the Polson Library.
Day cares and preschools are delivered programs and books from this library by the Story Shuttle. If this levy passes, shut-ins could benefit from shuttle delivery.
As of June 26, 1,060 people of all ages have signed up for the Summer Reading Program.
How can we not vote for this when so many people benefit right now?
Even more people will benefit when sustainable funding is voted in with the passage of this levy.
Please remember – Vote "yes' and mail in your levy ballot between July 8 and July 27.
Zina Swanson
Polson