I hope that everyone has had the opportunity to read the mail that the West Hempstead Library has finally sent out. The information contained in this blue newsletter shows us where they stand. How come when they met with us they never mentioned the increase of the $143,000 and they only mentioned the $20 per month increase? I guess they figured, "well gee what is $20 per month? This community can certainly afford that."

Well, it is not just $20 per month, is it?

So after all is said and done, they are creeping up slowly.They are going to increase our taxes to the approximate amount of $2.1 million. That is what it will cost us to maintain their proposed 26,500 square foot library.

It will eventually reach this figure on the maintenance of a library that size. (The fact is that they are only obligated to build a mandated 20,000 square foot library. That is according to State law.) The new increase of $143,000 is a lot of money for an 8,000 square foot library that is existing in our town now. They have a budget of $194,000 now for books and periodicals, etc., as seen in their over the weekend mail. I can assure you that they have not put that kind of money into new books to have used all of that $194,000.

Look, I want new also. This is being pushed on us in monies that are

unreasonable and well in the realm of greedy. Are they planning on banking

this money for the anticipated library or are they going to creep up slowly so you do not see them going in for the kill? They write that for every $100 of assessed value it is going to cost $3.54. If your taxes are assessed for $10,000 you will be paying $354 plus the anticipated $240 per year for 30 years. This is the start of increases to come. They are still in 8,000 square feet and what will it be at 26,000 square feet? It's just the beginning at $594 per year. Ask yourself, should we start paying now or wait to see what the story is factually speaking? Doesn't our small community deserve the facts and honesty and integrity?

The library board has been less then forthcoming. Did anyone know that they are proposing this vote during the school budget vote? Get out and do your civic duty and vote no. Do not wait until it is too late to have your say. Let us be sure of what we are getting before we spend money on something that we only have a good faith promise of getting.

Madeleine E. Schwartz