Sorry, forgot to address the good folks on the Culpeper list.... John -----Original Message----- From: John Morris [SMTP:johnm@inna.net] Sent: Monday, December 30, 2002 12:09 PM To: 'Deb Koplen' Cc: VASPOTSY-L@rootsweb.com; Subject: RE: [VACulpeper] Library of Virginia Deb, I share your concerns and can sympathize with you and others who live outside the Commonwealth, as I am a user of the library from time to time AND I live here in VA... My family's roots go back to the mid 1600's in the state. including Culpeper and Spotsylvania Counties... I see it not only at the LVA but local libraries who are cutting hours, days and personnel these days..... Budgets cuts are hitting every State Activity and Agency with a VENGEANCE.... Education on all levels has taken nearly a 20% cut across the board, public services are down 15% or more and highway and building construction projects have been placed on a hold or even discontinued, which has put many out of work in the construction business's. This means that the suppliers who provide the state and it's contractors with materials and supplies are being left out in the cold with supplies of things and contracts that they entered into in order to meet the states needs which now have dried up.. And not to overlook the personnel cuts and layoffs in just about EVERY State Agency which are in the neighborhood of 10-20%... Unfortunately the Library's (State and Local) are at the bottom of the list for monies and near the top of the list of places to be cut based on importance to the populace and operation of the state. So, Governor Warner had to make cuts where it would do the least harm to the overall state operations....Do not put the blame on the local communities and counties and Legislature and Representatives... The localities are being cut short of monies and the elected officials can only squeeze so much money out of the turnip. Which would you rather have, a Library or a Fire/Police/Rescue Department and Schools? So it would be a good idea to express your views to the Governors' Office in Richmond also... But in retrospect; during recent elections, the majority of residents have shown that THEY feel that it is the STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND THE FUNDING and not to raise taxes to meet the requirements. Virginia has only a 4.5% sales tax and compared to states like New York with a 8% Sales Tax, we are getting off real easy. So, the unfortunate and realistic bottom line is; that THE RESIDENTS bear the blame, burden and responsibility for these cuts and situation that the state is in at this time....An increase of only 1/2 percent IN THE SALES TAX (that's only 50 cents on the hundred dollars, less than the cost of a candy bar) would not kill us: BUT it would go a long way towards meeting the Budgetary/Operational needs of the Commonwealth. I for one, would not feel bad or hesitant to the paying of a charge to use the library's resources.. Some states require that you have a card or number in order to sign on and use the resources. and they charge both in and out of state residents a fee for these services. It is not the ideal situation, but if it means that we can do the research that we need and keep these places open; then maybe it is a useable option. Just my 2 cents worth.... John Towles Morris 'n Virginia -----Original Message----- From: Deb Koplen [SMTP:koplend@swbell.net] Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2002 10:25 PM To: VACULPEP-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [VACulpeper] Library of Virginia I am not a resident of your district. I am not even a resident of the State of Virginia. My ties to the state, however, date from my mother's birth in Richardsville, and then all the way back to Jamestown. I am one of those darn genealogists. I know that many of the cuts affecting the Library of Virginia are already in place, and very little can be done to reverse them.>>>> snip