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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Library Changes Shelved

Bonner County commissioners closed the book Monday on a drive to dismantle the East Bonner County Library District.<

The unanimous decision came after a two-hour public hearing. More than 45 letters were submitted and another 35 residents testified that the library district “ain’t broke, so don’t fix it.”

“Based on the testimony, grounds do not exist to call for an election of dissolution,” Commissioner Steve Klatt said, drawing applause from some of the 60 residents who stayed throughout hearing.

A group of residents filed a petition with 110 signatures last month calling for dissolution of the district. The petition said the board operates the library as a Sandpoint facility and ignores outlying areas. The group also opposed building a facility in Sandpoint.

Their solution was to dismantle the district and form another one that excluded Sandpoint.

Glen and Mary McFarland, who initiated the petition, were two of the three people to speak in favor of the idea Monday.

Glenn McFarland was a former library trustee and has opposed building a Sandpoint facility. He was ousted from the board by a candidate who supported the building project.

“One building in Sandpoint will not adequately serve the outlying areas,” McFarland said. “The only issue here is if the people have a right to express their opinion in a free and open election.”

Library supporters disagreed, saying the district does serve outlying areas. A survey showed 74 percent of library patrons live outside the Sandpoint city limits.

Residents also objected to footing the bill for an election that lacks support from even a minority of residents.

“If this election is allowed and for some reason passes, there could be no library, no staff and no service,” said library board chairman Ted Bowers. “All that will be left is a couple of empty buildings and some memories.”

According to Idaho law, when a taxing district is dismantled all of its property and assets are sold.

Other residents called the attempt to dissolve the library district, “senseless” and “foolish.”

“I feel sorry for you folks who have decided to try and destroy our library system for your own petty politics,” resident Joy Bittner said.

Library Director James Murray was pleased and surprised by the commissioners’ quick decision Monday.

“I would like to see a healing in the district now,” Murray said. “We can all prosper if we work together.”