Effingham County commission candidates were in accordance that the libraries are an integral part of the community and had varying suggestions on how to adequately fund them.
County commissioners have come under sharp and heavy criticism for their decision to reduce their share of the Live Oak Public Library System’s two Effingham branches by 10 percent. Second District Commissioner Myra Lewis said their actions with the library were no different than those with other county departments..
“We did not ask any more of the library than we did any other department,” she said. “You can’t spend money you don’t have. I am certainly in favor of the library. I hope we can work something out.”
Third District Commissioner Jeff Utley, who like Lewis is running for a third term, said the commissioners went in with their 10 percent reduction request without knowing the Effingham County Board of Education would slash its library funding by 50 percent.
“The board of commissioners has always been in support of library,” he said. “We ended up catching most of the heat. We’re working on alternatives. Hopefully, it will remain a viable part of our county. I hope we can somehow figure out to work the money back into them.”
Phil Kieffer, a candidate for the 5th District post, said he would dig deeper for other cuts to come up with library funding and disagreed with the 10 percent cuts across the board.
“There’s a lot of meat left on the bones,” he said.
Lillie Smart Brown, running as a Democrat in the 3rd District, also supported the libraries.
“I have a 9-year-old, and we go to the library every summer,” she said. “As he checks books out, it makes him want to read more.”
Homer Wallace, also running for the 3rd District seat as a Democrat, believes the commissioners should give the libraries the money they need.
“I have the faith in them that they will find the funds,” he said.
Steve Mason, running against Utley in the July 20 Republican primary, suggested taking the money from an unusual source.
“We take it from the attorneys,” he said. “Right now the money we spend on litigation in this county is ridiculous.”
Second District candidate Vera Jones said the county and the school system could make better use of existing facilities.
“It could create a great family atmosphere,” she said.
Second District candidate Michael King said it may be time to think outside the box and look at user fees for some library services. He also said the county should look at working with other agencies to support library operations.
“I am definitely in support of funding for the libraries,” he said.
