Letter: Help Basalt’s library at the polls
Vibrant, healthy, communities, generally speaking, have active, engaged residents asking for and using amenities that only public entities can provide. That is true here in Basalt with the availability to us of what has been clearly one of our most useful and beneficial amenities — our public library.
It is a gem that gives a range of support to thousands of our citizens of all ages, abilities, concerns and desires … a gift that keeps on giving for those who use it regularly and those who don’t but benefit from its very existence as a part of why we find Basalt a great place to live and raise our families.
Now comes a time our library needs financial help. This need comes not from poor financial management; quite the contrary, it comes from sustained depressed property values and tax income since the recession. Library staff has worked tirelessly to maintain quality of service in the face of diminishing reserves.
Costing less than $6 a month for the average area homeowner, we can keep our library financially sound for years to come. Please vote “yes” on ballot measure 4A. I certainly will and I hope you do, too.
Charlie Cole
Basalt