KING WILLIAM — King William County’s Board of Supervisors has stressed its commitment to operating two libraries in the future amid concerns from West Point that the county will not support its library when it pulls out of the Pamunkey Regional Library system.
The county issued a statement following criticism of the board’s decision to withdraw from the regional library from West Point Town Manager John Edwards. Edwards told the town council that King William may not opt to support a library in West Point in the future. Edwards warned that West Point residents could face a double whammy of paying for a new library and a dramatic increase in its contribution to the county’s 911 dispatch service.
King William’s Board of Supervisors stressed its commitment to the county’s two libraries currently run by the PRL.
“The county will have two libraries. The West Point facility is a beautiful library, and this Board would never want to shut down nor has the Board ever said the West Point branch would close its doors with an independent system,” King William’s Board of Supervisors said in a news release last week.
However, one name was conspicuously absent from the release, that of Bill Hodges, the District 1 supervisor who represents West Point.
“The press release was created and ready to be published when I found out of its existence,” Hodges said in an email Thursday. “There was no consultation with me in its creation. I did not agree with the content and asked that my name be removed from the release.”
Hodges said he is unsure but hopeful that the board will continue to fund West Point’s library. He said even though West Point pays the same tax rate as the other districts, “every time they are looking for more funding they just look south (District 1). The town already pays a greater percentage than any other than fourth.”
The King William supervisors said they have “made significant progress in putting the county’s finances on the right track,” since taking office in January.
“It is well known the current library system is part of our restructuring plan. Unfortunately, opponents to an independent library system have resorted to a misinformation campaign to gain public support by disseminating false statements,” the statement said. “They continue to create division without any communication from this Board or the facts surrounding our decision to move to an independent library system.”
The release cited rising costs behind the decision made on July 8 to withdraw from the regional library system.
“To continue funding the PRL would be fiscally irresponsible to the citizens of King William. This, along with other localities opting out of the current system, has made the PRL unsustainable,” the release stated.
“In no way are our decisions being based on the content or appropriateness of books in the libraries. This debate starts at home and is a matter for parents to decide on what is appropriate.”
The board said it is working on creating an independent library that “exceeds the expectations of the community.” The release also disputed that the discussion to move to an independent system was done in a closed session.
The statement also said the board is in consultation with the new director of the PRL, Jamie Stoops, to ensure a seamless transition and plans to schedule a town hall meeting this fall to present the library plan. The board is working with the Library of Virginia to access available resources, it said.
“As members of the community ourselves, we understand the frustrations and concerns in regard to this transition. But this Board cannot sit idly by allowing misleading and false statements by bureaucrats and opponents who wish to politicize this plan. This Board will meet our financial responsibilities to the taxpayers, and we will provide the needed services of a superior library system for all of our citizens.”
David Macaulay, davidmacaulayva@gmail.com
