News Photo by Steve Schulwitz
A large group of supporters of the Alpena County Library wave signs urging voters to vote in favor of a property tax renewal on Tuesday. The rally began at the Alpena County Courthouse and marched downtown to the library.
ALPENA — More than 100 people waved signs and lined Chisholm Street several rows deep on Saturday, rallying in support of the Alpena County Library and its effort to get a 10-year property tax renewed.
On Tuesday, voters in Alpena will decide on the future fate of the Alpena County Library when they vote on a 10-year, .7462 mill renewal that would cost the owner of a $100,000 house about $37.31 a year.
The outcome of the vote will determine the future of the library.
If the tax proposal passes, it will ensure the library and its many programs continue on for the next decade, if it fails, the library only has enough money in savings to effectively operate for several months. Library officials say the library would likely have to close after the cash runs dry.
Sara Lane, who helped organize the event, which began at the Alpena County Courthouse and wrapped up at the library, said the library is critical for residents of the county. She said without it, it would change the lives of many people.
“Losing the library would be very detrimental to our community because a lot of people utilize the library,” she said. “People of all different ages and different backgrounds use it, and it is a great resource for people who maybe don’t have access to the internet, want to take classes, or just want to find a good book to read.”
Stephanie Woytaszek, who participated in the rally, said the library is a hub for information and for learning. She said she didn’t want to think about the library having to close and the community losing the resources it offers people.
“The library is a wealth of knowledge and it has resources that a lot of people in our community need,” Woytaszek said.
Margie Toth agreed with Woytaszek that the library would be sorely missed if it were forced to close. She said some people in rural areas use the library to do things they are unable to do closer to home.
“I live in Ossineke, and the library is an important part of people’s lives for people who live in the outlying area of Alpena,” she said. “Not everyone has good internet, so people use it at the library and it is a good way for people who live a little bit out of town to come into town and participate in the community. It is important for us.”
Susie Olden said the library has many programs that she believes many people don’t know exist. She said if more people knew about all of the offerings at the library, even more people would utilize it.
“The other day I was in there and a woman borrowed a sewing machine and I thought that was awesome,” Olden said. “There are a lot of things there that if people got a little more information about, more people would go there. The library is very important to many people.”
The support for the library crossed over the Alpena County borders. Alicia Ulch and her husband came to Alpena from Harrisville for the rally even though they can’t vote for the millage. Alicia Ulch said they came to Alpena to show support for the library and the people who depend on it who live in their neighboring community. She said it is also a way to ensure something doesn’t happen to her local library.
“I think it is important to show our support for the library in Alpena because we sure wouldn’t want something like this to happen in our community,” Ulch said. “A library is the nerve center of a community and it provides many opportunities to everyone. People of every age, belief, and income bracket are welcome at a library.”
For months, the library and its governing board have been under the microscope after several residents spoke out at Alpena County Commissioners meetings about books in the children’s and teens’ sections that contain sexually graphic material.
Many residents called on the library board to move the books out of the children’s and teens’ sections of the library. Some residents have urged Alpena County voters to vote down the proposed renewal of a property tax that funds the library.
In July, commissioners voted 6-1 to begin the process of removing all of the library board members and begin the task of taking applicants for future appointments. The reworking of the library board is expected to take several months.
Saturday’s rally was intended to encourage people to vote in favor of the property tax renewal and to share its importance to many people in the community and not directed at the commissioners, organizers said.
Voters in Alpena will take to the polls on Tuesday during the primary election.
Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.
