Ask Marion residents if they want new library

To the editor:

I took the new Marion library online survey. Never once did the survey ask 'Do you think Marion needs a new library?” As I understand it, Marion taxpayers will spend in excess of $9 million to destroy the current facility, give the land to a developer, and sign a long-term agreement to lease the new library back, but never own it.

All of this makes it possible to make the project 'affordable” since after the first chunk, it is a lease, not a purchase that has a finite end. I personally don't like this idea, but, I have one silly question. If the Marion city government thinks this serves the public interests, why don't we make the issue simple? Put the numbers on the table and use the upcoming presidential election as a free marginal-cost election to ask the residents of Marion if they want this wonderful new library?

Jeff Barry

Marion