Reject library referendum

Dear Editor: In 1989, state Assemblyman Maurice Hinchey helped the Woodstock Library become a democracy, a special district library where all of us have votes. The bill he introduced in Albany allowed Woodstock voters to elect trustees to the library board and say “yes” or “no” to the budget.

Those voting rights could vanish Nov. 6 if the Woodstock Public Library District is “dissolved and terminated” by a referendum. If the “yes” votes win, 4,580 votes will be snuffed out forever.

Why would anyone do that? Well, it’s twisted, but here’s what’s happening: A group of dissenters didn’t like a library board decision, so they decided to terminate the democracy that elects our library board. They’re taking out their frustration on Woodstock voters by nuking our votes. They’re asking you to “Vote Yes to Lose Your Vote.”

Is this a new kind of voter suppression? No, actually it’s worse. It’s voter termination. A “yes” vote on Nov. 6 could be the last direct vote any of us will ever have about our library. When you see the referendum on the back of your ballot, it should read like this: “Shall all 4,580 Votes for the Woodstock Public Library District be Dissolved and Terminated Forever?”

New York’s dissolution law was never designed to eliminate voting rights, but that’s how it’s being used here, for the first time in New York history. Will this nuclear option hold up in court? Who knows? Do we really want to be drawn into litigation for the next two years? No.

Losing even one vote is one vote too much. But 4,580 lost votes? How can anyone vote “yes” for that?

It’s time to defend our library votes and stand up for democracy. Woodstock residents should vote “no” on Nov. 6.

Tim Moore, Woodstock