Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to bring this issue of the Coal County Library to the citizens of Coal County, who with the aid of the tax-exempt, Genealogical Society, bought and paid for the renovations of the present library building for Coal County.

I am one of those who worked to obtain this building, helped carry the books into it. I also voted to join the Library Organization and for the tax that would go to them to run all the libraries, with the city or county to furnish the buildings and utilities.

This building was deeded to the county and I do not know why Coalgate paid the utilities. Didn’t ask why. Just thought it was an agreement with the county. This continued until May of this year, when the new city manager was told by the city attorney that the city should not be paying them because they didn’t own the building. That’s when the utility bills were brought to the county for payment.

Coal County Commissioner Johnny Ward, with the okay of Alvin Pebworth and Ray Jordan, was in on all the decisions made by the Genealogical group to obtain this building and signed the papers to accept the building. All these papers should be in their records 1993 through 1998.

This is not an issue of what the Library Organization is doing with our tax money. They are doing what they’re supposed to do. All six counties voted the same tax to be put in the same pot and be used for all the libraries with equal services. That includes the employees’ salaries, and benefits. Pretty much the same as our Coal County Commissioners do with the rest of our tax money. We only get to vote for one of them but all spend our money. Hopefully for our benefit.

This issue should be only who pays the utilities. The contract with the Library Organization says they do not.

I had never met the Library Director, Micheal Hull until I went to the County Board Meeting. Brock Jones had asked my friend and neighbor Joanne Verbridge to be our Library Board Member. She introduced me to him after the meeting. I’m not playing favorites, I only want what’s right for the library.

The library benefits many people - both young and old. Plus most adults, who go to the library spend some money while in town.

We’re going to have two new commissioners beginning next year and since many of those who worked so hard to obtain the library building have passed away, I’m asking once more for the citizens of Coal County to speak up. I believe that the Library Building should be set apart from other buildings owned by the county and they should pay the utilities.

Thank you, Sincerely, Lorene Caruthers