Advisory Question

Two weeks from today, the citizens of Ledyard will be asked to answer the following advisory question when they vote in the annual budget referendum: "If future cuts to the library budget are necessary would you support closing the Gales Ferry Library instead of reducing hours and services at both libraries?"

So, if you want to close the Gales Ferry Library vote yes and if you want to reduce services vote no? Or if you want to keep the Gales Ferry Library open vote no and if you want to keep hours and services vote yes. I think I got it right the second time. Of course, there is no third choice that gives voters the option of keeping both Gales Ferry Library and hours and services. And why is the library budget singled out for an advisory question? I guess the library should be honored that we are the only segment of town government that required an advisory question or does that mean we are the only department that will require future cuts. I am confused!

I am also concerned that many other people will be confused when they go to vote on May 18. Most probably don't even know there is going to be an advisory question on the ballot. When they read it for the first time that day, will they understand what they are advising?

If you want to keep the Gales Ferry Library open, you must vote NO on the advisory question. If you want to keep an institution that has been part of the Gales Ferry community since 1923, you must vote NO on the advisory question. If you want to keep the library that has 40% of the circulation in town and only 20% of the library budget, you must vote NO on the advisory question.

The per capita cost for the Gales Ferry Library is $7.75 a year. Residents will spend a lot more than that for gasoline to drive the extra miles to Bill Library.

The town council is waiting to hear from you. We can reduce hours and services at both libraries in time of fiscal crisis. We can close a library in time of fiscal crisis. We can increase hours and services if the economy improves. A library closed in time of fiscal crisis, is a library gone forever.

VOTE NO on the ADVISORY QUESTION to KEEP the GALES FERRY LIBRARY.