Goshen Public Library & Historical Society | 203 Main St Goshen, NY 10924 | Phone: 845.294.6606 | Fax: 845.294.7158 | RCLS Member
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Upcoming vote
By plnkh | May 28, 2008
On June 11 voters of the Goshen Central School District will have an opportunity to vote on three library trustees and the proposed tax levy for the coming fiscal year. Three seats on the Board of Trustees are up for re-election with only one incumbent seeking another term. With at least two new members the Board will face the challenge of garnering public input on which to base a new plan for a new library.
The tax levy being put to the voters represents a 4.27% ($48,643) increase. The average home, assessed at $194,000 will pay an estimated $2.03 more per year for library service. A $2.00 cup of coffee is a short term boost. Your library tax pays dividends daily if you choose to avail yourself of library services.The proposed budget is marginally different from the current year. It will allow us to continue the services we presently offer, with a commitment to improving the collections, improving the museum pass selections, and upgrading three more of the public computers. The new winter hours will reflect closing at 8PM on Tuesday and Wednesday, and at 6PM on Fridays. The later hours never attracted sufficient numbers of visitors to warrant the expense of remaining open. The new budget also provides funding to help us cover increases in the cost of energy - for heating, cooling and grounds services, and to begin replenishing the depleted operating fund balance which is necessary to our financial health. View the proposed budget here.
Six candidates are running for the three seats: 2 year seat (held by Jasper Field) - Esther Zaccone; 3 year seat (Patty Garnett) - Bill Courtney, Don Herring and Jim Tarvin; 3 year seat (Gene Degan) - Gene Degan and Ellen O’Brien. The summer newsletter, scheduled for mailing next week, contains more budget detail; photos and statements by the candidates. View the newsletter here.
Topics: Announcements |
June 1st, 2008 at 1:46:51 pm
The board asked us for our views on the current board, photos etc. It’s been three weeks and no action. Here is where I’m coming from:
My name is Bill Courtney; I am running for trustee at the Goshen Public Library. I recently retired as a detective with the New York Police Department after twenty five years of service. I currently work part time from my home as a consultant while caring for my three young children, all students in the Goshen Public School system. My wife Corinne works in Manhattan and is on the board of the Goshen Youth Football League.
In semi-retirement I have been able to become active in the community. I have conferred with several local friends and associates on issues affecting Goshen. In regards to the library board, I’m disillusioned by the way things have evolved and what I have learned. The current board purchased acreage next to the Salesian Property for $660,000.00 with a two year interest only mortgage, without a referendum. The same board paid an architect $140,000.00 for plans that can not be used.
The board members actions speak for themselves. They have become attached to wealthy patrons who petition for plans exceeding our budget. They do not represent the average, middle income, tax paying members of our community. Recession and the rising property tax burden must affect the way we control our spending. This board needs new trustees that can make prudent, sober decisions concerning growth and expenditures.
The library belongs to the public. As a board member I would represent the wishes of our community. I will work to rebuild the reputation of this great institution. I promise to put principles before personal differences to ensure that realistic goals for the library’s future are met. The minutes of all board meetings must be published online. We can have a new library. It’s up to you to tell us how and when.
Yours,
Bill Courtney
June 10th, 2008 at 6:47:42 pm
i know it was a good idea to put computer for the public
June 12th, 2008 at 1:13:39 pm
The election of 2 Goshen PAC members and the defeat of the library vote for a pittance of a budget increase is yet another sign of fiscal “cut off your nose to spite your face” mentality for the people of Goshen. The PAC has no vision whatsoever expressed or implied for the library and will take the library ….nowhere….
It doesn’t take much effort to put the budget “under arrest” and steer the ship in a holding pattern.
Here is one such example of a PAC supporter attached.It shows 2 signs on a lawn. One for the PAC duo; the other an in ground pool company’s sign showing construction in process. What’s most wrong with this picture is not the inconsistency of values with professed PAC’s beliefs.That’s too obvious. What’s really wrong with this is that despite all the “economic hardship” supposedly happening in Goshen and everywhere, we’re
still trying to spend our way out of trouble, indulging our own personal tastes while standing firmly against investing in things that last, like a library and schools. There is an investment component to GNP. It seems to be
on hold here. One person has already spoken out that it may be time to consider another school system as this one is definitely in trouble. The
cuts made on the school budget were painful and counterproductive. People with after school activities will now pay dearly with their time and wallet and some learning will suffer as a result as well.
Its time to raise “EQ” and start making decisions that make long term fiscal sense for Goshen, not just vent anger. Economic hardships happen. How we anticipate & respond to them shows how responsible we are for our choices and where we can expect to go.