Dave Rogers (right) discusses library issues with library Business Manager, Kevin Ayala (Left) and Library Board Chair Don Carlyon (Center) at MyBayCity television studio.

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VIDEO: Library's Carlyon Favors Reopening South End Branch When Possible

Local Focus Video Report Gets Answers to Issues in Tuesday's Vote

November 2, 2007
By: Dave Rogers

Tuesday is the day of decision.

Bay County voters will set the tone for the future either by voting "yes" for continued library service or "no" to reject funding that ultimately would lead to closure of the libraries.

Library supporters feel that the outcome of the vote will be a key to the future direction of the local economy since it will send a message to prospective businesses and residents considering moving to Bay County.

County Clerk Cynthia Luczak told MyBayCity.com that the cost of the election to be paid by the Friends of the Library, that had been reported in the media as $25,000, was incorrectly stated.

"Somehow that number of $25,000 got reported and it was not right; we have always had an estimate of $30,000 to $35,000 cost for the election."




With increased interest in the library issue, the cost of the election to be paid by the library group, is now estimated at $40,000 to $45,000, the clerk said.

John Van Looy, president of the library Friends group, said the cost of the election will be covered not only by revenues from the annual sale of old books but also from donations made by members of the group and the business community.

The higher costs comes because of the need to print and process more absentee ballots, according to the clerk.

Positive and negative voices have been nattering at each other for months as the decision on the issue looms.

Internet forum websites and newspaper letters to the editor are the arenas in which holders of conflicting opinions have crossed swords.

One opinion revealed the cult-like bond between negative voters: "Nayers don't let the yayers change your minds" in response to a column in MyBayCity.com.

MyBayCity.com's Local Focus video report now available on this site gets answers to some of the many issues raised during the campaign for a partial renewal of millage to support the Bay County Library System.

In the interview library board chair Don Carlyon expresses support for reopening the South End Branch as soon as possible, even though that move is not part of the current funding request.

Kevin Ayala, deputy director of the library system, said the system would provide all the services possible with funds available and noted that libraries are an important adjunct to education.

Mr. Ayala also addressed charges that the library campaign has misrepresented comparisons between costs of library services in Saginaw and those in Bay County. "In Bay County, if the one mill is approved, we will be paying a total of 1.5 mills for library services while the same house in Saginaw would pay four mills for comparable services."

He also asserted that no tax dollars would be spent on settlement of any court case involving former personnel and the library system. Mr. Carlyon noted that insurance carried by the system would address any court case settlement costs if necessary.

One campaigner for the library system blamed the negative campaign not on any real issue but on a widespread reaction against government at all levels. "The anti-tax people apparently would rather do without services than see even reasonable taxes remain in place," this observer said. "Another view is that the anti-tax people are using that stand in a power grab, inflaming public opinion while commanding government revenues either for tax cuts, spending they favor or in an attempt to achieve a shift in control."

Local Focus, a new feature of MyBayCity.com, interviews Don Carlyon, library board chair, and Kevin Ayala, deputy director of the library system, in a 6 minute video posted here.

The video interview explores the following subcategories of the library millage issue:

If the partial renewal of the library operating tax is approved, will we be getting less service for more tax dollars, as has been claimed?

The cost of library improvements to people on limited incomes has been questioned. What are the costs and are there any tax exemptions?

How can you provide full access to library services, as we had before, for all the people of the county with renewal of only 83 percent of operating millage?

Were the businesses that were on the new main library site contacted and informed of the proposal before the initial vote on a new library?

The old main library was sold to Thumb National Bank, and several businesses on the new site were bought out. Did the amount of taxes paid by businesses increase, or, as some have claimed, decrease?

How would costs of settling personnel issues be paid?

The campaign has claimed that Saginaw and Midland pay far more for library service that we do. A critic says those facts were misrepresented. Is that true?

What are future plans for the South End branch?

Feedback about the interview and the library issue is welcomed.