13 of Cobb County's 17 libraries will close May 1 (closing, taxes)

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

Had it been the city of Atlanta, it would have insisted everyone pay a 2 cent library SPLOST on everything they buy for the next 30 years or else all the libraries will close and there is no plan B.

Why pick on the city of Atlanta? The TSPLOST was marketed the same way in every city and county.

Remember, it was the job creators who started this transportation thing ad were pushing so hard for it. Just shows that even a bunch of Republicans can occasionally get it wrong .

[atlantagreg30127]

Note: The topic is not about TSPLOST.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Cobb knows how to tighten its belt.

They do, and I think they do strike a good balance between necessary expenditure and raising taxes.

I know some of you may be surprised to hear it coming from me, but I actually was hoping they would raise the millage rate in Cobb, and they did last fiscal year. When you get to a point where home prices are falling and you cannot keep the tax digest steady, you have to find the money somewhere. I was getting a bit pissed at seeing the median on local roads with weeds growing 6 feet tall and the sidewalks becoming overgrown to the point of being unusable on Barrett Pkwy. Same thing on the Interstates a couple of years ago with trash and weeds.

I know that type of stuff is cosmetic, but it speaks to quality of life. I wouldn't let my front yard get into that shape, so why should the street that runs by my home look like it? It made a great area look seedy. If we truly need to raise taxes to keep our streets clean and the libraries open, and we've exhausted all other means of doing so with tax revenues continuing to fall, then I am not against raising the rates.

[ATLTJL]

I know that type of stuff is cosmetic, but it speaks to quality of life

Totally agree, and it probably also affects your home value. I lived in Buckhead for years and was amazed when I went back last year for a visit and saw 3 and 4 foot tall unruly grass in the once pristine medians. This is Buckhead!

I agree with you that eventually millage rates will have to be raised. The reason people are against it is because governments will raise millage rates to raise extra money, but they they will conveniently "forget" to lower them again when values go back up and revenue starts pouring in.

[bellhead]

Originally Posted by neil0311

They do, and I think they do strike a good balance between necessary expenditure and raising taxes.

I know some of you may be surprised to hear it coming from me, but I actually was hoping they would raise the millage rate in Cobb, and they did last fiscal year. When you get to a point where home prices are falling and you cannot keep the tax digest steady, you have to find the money somewhere. I was getting a bit pissed at seeing the median on local roads with weeds growing 6 feet tall and the sidewalks becoming overgrown to the point of being unusable on Barrett Pkwy. Same thing on the Interstates a couple of years ago with trash and weeds.

I know that type of stuff is cosmetic, but it speaks to quality of life. I wouldn't let my front yard get into that shape, so why should the street that runs by my home look like it? It made a great area look seedy. If we truly need to raise taxes to keep our streets clean and the libraries open, and we've exhausted all other means of doing so with tax revenues continuing to fall, then I am not against raising the rates.

I agree with you Neil, you need to look at the long term view, not always the short term if you cut and cut and cut but at the end it takes 20 years for the county to make it back, whereas if you had not cut as drastically and it only takes 5 years for the recovery then you are much better off. Quality of life and crime go hand in hand, google broken windows on that. It gets to a point where it affects the value of a neighborhood, nobody wants to become the new Clayton county.

[GeorgiaLakeSearch]

Not to be offensive. But does anybody go to libraries nowadays?

[JAS]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaLakeSearch

Not to be offensive. But does anybody go to libraries nowadays?

My wife, an avid reader, goes to the Cobb branch in the Mars Hill area about every other week. She also picks up some things for me. I'm not an old coot, but we still prefer paper over tablets. I read and view enough on the screen at my job -- I don't care to do the same when I'm at home.

As a reminder to those reading the headline of this thread and the original comments .. the headline itself is misleading (and quite outdated) since the libraries were not in fact shut down, and the threat was simply that .. a threat.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaLakeSearch

Not to be offensive. But does anybody go to libraries nowadays?

Yes, lots of people go to libraries every day. I usually go at least once a week, and I have a library book sitting right next to me at this moment.

[mich2fla]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaLakeSearch

Not to be offensive. But does anybody go to libraries nowadays?

The West Forsyth Library is currently under construction on Post Road, just south of Kelly Mill Road. It's scheduled to open July 2013. The other libraries in Forsyth are pretty active.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by JPD

Yes, lots of people go to libraries every day. I usually go at least once a week, and I have a library book sitting right next to me at this moment.

Even so, we probably should be consolidating libraries. The internet is becoming ever more ubiquitous and as affordable as cable. Even computer prices are dropping. And eReaders are improving and are a green alternative to driving to the library to borrow some pressed dead trees.