Sunday, April 8, 2018

Single Issue Vote - Library Levy April 24, 2018

Ok, this is it, the single issue election to keep our libraries functioning. Ballots are (or should be) in your hands already. Don’t lose your ballot in a pile of junk mail. Just do it and get the ballot turned in. If you don't have it yet, call the elections office at the number below to find out why.

As always, here’s the basic information:
Ballots must be returned no later than April 24.
            You can mail your ballot as long as the postmark is on or before April 24. To be sure that happens, get your ballot in the mail before 4:00 pm.  Remember, it needs a stamp if you mail it.

            You can drop your ballot into one of the 6 special collection boxes at:

           Island County Elections Office            400 N Main Street             Coupeville
            Oak Harbor City Hall                           865 SE Barrington             Oak Harbor
            Trinity Lutheran Church                      18341 Hwy 525                  Freeland
            Langley Post Office                             115  2nd Street                     Langley
            Ken’s Corner Red Apple                      4141 Hwy 525                    Clinton
            Camano Annex                                    121 N East Camano Dr       Camano

Deadline for dropping in the collection boxes is 8:00 pm on April 24.

For questions, contact  elections@co.island.wa.us
or phone 360-679-7366  M-F  9:00 – 4:00

Marianne’s usual disclaimer. I’m not telling you how to vote. I’m just telling you how I would/will vote. You, obviously, will decide for yourself.

First off, I got some stiff feedback from Camano people who informed me in no uncertain terms that they most certainly DO have a library. Its new enough that I hadn't heard about it. I stand formally corrected. I hear it is rather a nice library. Which only goes to show that Camano, like the rest of Island County, sees the importance and value of having a library.

What I posted below is still valid, so no reason to change it.

I saw one letter to the editor objecting to having to pay for what the writer saw as visions of grandeur on the part of the libraries. What can I say? Maybe the writer doesn't use any of the library's services. I most certainly do, and subscribe wholeheartedly to those "visions of grandeur." I love being able to check out DVDs, since we  don't own a TV. I find great music at the library. For people who don't have their own computers or electronic devices (yes, there are such folks) the library provides access to the internet. That's really important for students, people looking for jobs, and people like me who are classified as "techno-peasants."  Think about the $$ you save not having to buy books. If you make any use of the library at all, you're saving more than what you're paying in property tax. Think about the space you save not having to find places to put all those books after you've read them.

2018 April 24 special election
Sno-Isle Libraries <checkitout@sno-isle.org>

Proposition Number 1
Ballot Title

Sno-Isle Intercounty Rural Library District
Proposition No. 1
Levy Rate Proposition
The Board of Trustees of Sno-Isle Intercounty Rural Library District adopted Resolution No. 17-06 concerning an increase in its regular property tax levy. This proposition would authorize the District to restore its regular property tax levy rate to $0.47 per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2019 in order to continue to provide the current level of library service throughout the District. The resulting dollar amount of the 2019 levy would be used for the purpose of computing subsequent levy limitations as provided by chapter 84.55 RCW. Should this proposition be approved?
Description: https://weiapplets.sos.wa.gov/MyVoteOLVR/Content/images/wei/OvalChoice.pngYes
Description: https://weiapplets.sos.wa.gov/MyVoteOLVR/Content/images/wei/OvalChoice.pngNo
Ballot title approved by the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (January 12, 2018).
 
Pretty obviously, I will be voting a resounding YES.