Pro KCLS ads are misleading. Yesterday, I received a flier urging KCLS annexation by comparing the Renton Public Library resources to KCLS resources. The flier included a comparison of 20 Internet work stations at Renton Public Library to the 40,000 stations for KCLS. What a grossly unfair and misleading comparison. The better question is how many of these stations would be in Renton after joining KCLS? Let’s look at the facts, as reported in the Renton Reporter:

• A major problem for Renton Public Library is a lack of space. More stations cannot be added without more space and infrastructure upgrades to support additional computers.
• Property taxes for KCLS are higher than the portion of the city taxes allocated to Renton Public Library.
• The city does not intend to provide a proportionate reduction in our city taxes if we join KCLS. In fact, Mayor Law was quoted as saying these moneys would be put toward capital improvements.
• KCLS will not pay to build additional space at the Renton Public Library. These funds would have to come from the city.

So, how many Internet work stations would Renton Public Library have if annexed to KCLS? The answer is 20! Proposition 1 asks me to pay more in taxes (despite the mayor’s position that he doesn’t want to add taxes in bad economic times). In return I get the privilege to be number 1,700 on the hold list for the latest release and the opportunity to drive around the biggest county in the state to find one of the 40,000 Internet stations. Annexation means MORE taxes and no solution to the library’s biggest problem.

Please don’t be fooled by the slick claims of the pro campaign. More for less isn’t the right solution. Vote No on Proposition 1.

Melissa Farmin

Renton