I urge residents of the Pine River Valley to vote YES on ballot measure 6A in November to keep our award-winning library going strong in Bayfield.
The library faces a steep decline in revenue due to falling oil and gas income and to the way property taxes are calculated in Colorado.
Library staff manages the organization carefully, cutting costs where possible and holding budget increases to a bare minimum. There is no waste here.
Measure 6A will increase the levy on residential property owners by $1.20 per month per $100,000 of assessed property value. That’s really not much to pay to ensure that the Pine River Valley Library can continue its role as the heart of our community.
When we moved to town a few years ago, my husband and I suffered the almost inevitable internet challenges people run across in rural areas. Free, daily access to computers at the library kept us sane and saved my writing business. Even as empty-nesters, we value all the programs the library offers.
We like the investments in programs for youngsters, as we see little ones learning and developing a love for books and teens and tweens staying safe and occupied after school. I don’t think I have ever seen another library, big or small, embrace and serve community needs in this way. Vote YES on 6A on Nov. 6!
Cathy Enns
Bayfield
