March 14, The Oakland Press: Kempen’s latest petition reads: In order to assure affordable access to quality local library service, and to honor the spirit of Section 2.2(W) of this charter, the City of Troy shall dedicate funds from its general operating fund sufficient to operate and maintain a public library open to the public for not less than 55 hours each week.
As opposed to a city ordinance amendment, Kempen said, “A charter amendment allows you to set the character for the city, something that residents want as a permanent part of the city and the oath of office says that elected officials are to uphold.”
Kempen first petition was rejected in February by Oakland Circuit Judge Denise Langford Morris. Judge Morris decided that the petition “would impair the efficient administration of the municipality and therefore concludes it is not legislative."
Troy City Council in a 5-2 vote on Feb. 21 decided not place the library system on the budget table.
Kempen is not deterred in his quest. He says, “Since I’ve been involved with this I’m not going to give it up until it’s accomplished.”
He has been recently joined by two children Ariela and Elian Yashinsky in the petition drive.
Public libraries across Metro-Detroit have experienced an increase in patronage, even as budgets have been slashed during the economic recession. They provide access to books, films and the Internet.. As job searching has been shifting to more and more cyber platforms, Internet access is becoming crucial for the unemployed.
The question for Troy residents specifically and all Metro-Detroit residents in general is: are public libraries worth paying taxes for?
If no action is taken in Troy, the libraries will shut their doors on April 30.
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