A few reasons to vote NO on CC #1

What are we voting on? The only design that has some cost estimates is a grandiose wish list with artist’s renderings presented in July 2011 that has been pared down and down… down to what? Vote NO on CC #1.

Cost estimates vary from $28M to $49M (plus financing costs), depending on what’s included. Even with the tax hike, the intent is to raid NNDA, sewer, federal and private funds. Vote NO on CC #1.

The concept dated July 2011 shows a grandiose wish list for a public-private development. Where is the pared down wish list that CC #1 asks us to approve? Vote NO on CC #1.

What assurance do we have that if the city builds the new library, the private part of the development will actually be built? Vote NO on CC #1.

The artist's renderings show, not a library, but a rather ugly East Coast brown brick factory or warehouse. The VW assembly line in downtown Munich is much prettier... I thought we were supposed to be PROUD of Carson City. Vote NO on CC #1.

Who will own the project? The wish list calls for setting up a private agency from which the city will lease the project that they build with our money... Vote NO on CC #1.

What are we voting on? To this day no one published the final concept, let alone PLANS, either for the private or the public part of the project. Vote NO on CC #1.

In June 2012 the Board of Supervisors voted to put this question on the ballot, without bothering to specify the latest incarnation of their wish list. Vote NO on CC #1.

What are we voting on? A tax increase on blind faith? Brad Bonkowski said the vote is only ADVISORY and the project will still have to be “vetted.” Vote NO on CC #1.

A yes vote on CC #1 is a blank check for the city gods to decide later how to spend their new-found money. There is no plan, just a wish list with pictures. Vote NO on CC #1.

What is to become of the buildings that will be vacated if the new library is built? How will they fit into the new downtown plan (if any)? Don't we have enough vacant buildings already? Vote NO on CC #1.

There is no evidence that the proponents ever considered alternatives, such as a different location more convenient to prospective users, existing facilities that could be upgraded at less cost, etc. Vote NO on CC #1.

What if the higher sales tax drives away business and revenues fall below projections? What tax will the Board raise to pay for this project? Vote NO on CC #1.

If you think you'll vote Yes, first ask who stands to gain, who stands to lose, if voters approve the tax hike and the project is built? Vote NO on CC #1.

The wish list promises 200+ construction jobs. But after that, the proponents want us to believe they can run the new bigger library at current staffing levels... So where is the benefit to people looking for a job? Vote NO on CC #1.

The wish list calls for over a hundred new computers, access to expensive databases, etc., but hides the cost of support, maintenance and eventual replacement in the general budget. Vote NO on CC #1.

Borrowing to build a new library will push the city's bond limit to the max. What does that leave for emergencies? Nothing... Vote NO on CC #1.

Proponents make it sound like our kids are deprived of education because we don't have a library for them now. According to one count, actually we have 31 libraries... Oops. Vote NO on CC #1.

Proponents claim libraries are the future. Actually, the future is E-BOOKS. School districts are even switching from textbooks to iPads with e-books and other teaching materials on them. Vote NO on CC #1.

Proponents also ignore REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE with grandiose new libraries -- see for example "Library faces fiscal crisis - Wyoming Tribune Eagle Online"
http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2012/08/18/news/19local_08-18-12.txt. Vote NO on CC #1.