By Linda Manderson
Anderson resident
I can’t keep my mouth shut any longer. I worked at Anderson Public Library for 35 years, and it kills me to see the decisions the Library Board and its director must make about which services and, in the long-run, personnel to cut due to budget deficits because of decreased property taxes. This is the only government institution open seven days a week, open more evenings a week than not, open on holidays that other city and county agencies are closed, and offers equal access to information, reading, and entertainment, regardless of income.
In fact, city and county agencies refer people to the library to get forms for divorces, for child custody, to file tax returns. They refer them to library computers to apply for unemployment benefits, create resumes and fill-out job applications online, and to apply for other benefits online. People go to the library because they can’t afford their own home computers, and they use library computers to stay in touch with family members through e-mail, job search, and do research. They check out DVDs and CDs. And of course people read, and they read a lot, which is good because kids in this town need a lot of help in that area. By the way, library employees have never had paid lunch hours or longevity pay. They’ve always paid 3 percent into their PERF retirement, and they’ve had high-deductible health insurance for years. The library knows about budget cuts, and it makes me sick to think they have to cut deeper.
Now the county employees don’t want to give up paid lunch hours. They don’t want to eliminate jobs as they come open through attrition — are you kidding? County judges making $120,000 were unfairly picked on because they didn’t get their stipends, so now they’ve gotten them — seriously? I see an empty trolley and its driver trundling around the city every day — how much does that cost taxpayers? If it’s the employees’ union holding the city and county hostage, three words: General Motors gone. So somebody out there grow some — stand up for the taxpayers in this county and make some real budget cuts that count. The librarians did it.
Letters
Viewpoint: Time for someone to make real budget cuts
Library is the only government institution open seven days a week
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Letter: Bill of Rights being nullified by new law
President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act on New Year’s Eve. I doubt many Americans noticed its implications because they do not yet comprehend the big picture. This law, coupled with the Patriot Act, is paving the way for America’s direction toward tyranny.
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Letter: $14 trillion debt started by previous president
I’m a proud atheist who’s lucky enough to know the difference between fact and fantasy.
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Letter: Economy putting people in the gutters
We are now getting the results of putting people in the gutters. We need to take a second look at our government and its policies. It’s not working.
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Viewpoint: Look at Creation Museum from an educational, scientific perspective
I encourage any and all who have interest in this vitally important topic to “go to the source,” to invest the time and energy into exploring The Creation Museum for themselves.
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Letter: Blame the voters for our Congress
Why is insider trading legal for Congress and illegal for the rest of us? They make and enact laws for all of us, but then exempt members of Congress. Somehow this doesn’t seem to pass the smell test.
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Letter: Smith’s firings appear vindictive
Anderson is a city of negative publicity and actions. Why else is Sears leaving? Can we stand four years of vindictive actions and negative reporting?
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Letter: Planned devaluation of dollar is coming
I’ve submitted letters regarding the existence of a global elite for years now. I’m now submitting another one in which I hope readers will take note of.
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Viewpoint: Myra Kraft inspiration for Patriots
If there was one good reason for the Patriots to win the Super Bowl, it would be because of what I had read.
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Viewpoint: Anderson a microcosm of America
Wherever I have found comments that I felt were outside the values I believe in or were plain misinformation I have spoken out. At times that has been done with a lack of eloquence.
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Viewpoint: Problems in Anderson go back to President Carter
On Jan. 21, Frank Couch of Anderson stated that political conservatives “just don’t get it.” He sort of indicates Sears’ closing in Anderson is due to the new mayor being Republican.
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Letter: Bill of Rights being nullified by new law
