A surprise $25,000 gift from Richland Township supervisors will allow Highland Community Library to continue full operations in the wake of a $30,000 state funding cut.
“That’s what we do,” Supervisor Wayne Langerholc said at Monday’s meeting, comparing the library services to police, fire and public works.
“It is such an important part of our community,” Langerholc said. “It is such an important service we can offer our taxpayers.”
As if to illustrate the township’s financial strength, the library allocation approval was followed by the initial presentation of a 2010 budget, with no tax increases.
Real estate taxes remain at 5.5 mills, costing the average residential property owner $114 a year.
The $5.2 million spending plan is slated for final approval Dec. 21.
“Anything can be changed as long as you don’t change them drastically before final approval,” Executive Secretary Kim Stayrook said, presenting the budget.
Supervisors’ Chairman Melvyn Wingard proposed additional funding for the library, saying he was disturbed by the proposed cuts in service hours and programs after reading an article in The Tribune-Democrat on Nov. 17.
He consulted with Supervisor Bob Heffelfinger Jr., who is also president of the library board.
Heffelfinger was unable to attend Monday’s meeting.
“If he were here, he would make a motion to advance to Highland Community Library an additional $10,000 or $15,000,” Wingard said. “Not as an addition to their library allotment, but because of the circumstances.”
“I would not oppose going higher,” Langerholc said. “That is one of the fundamental services we provide. It bothers me when the state budget doesn’t have funds for basic services.”
Langerholc made the motion to give $25,000.
“I would support $25,000,” Supervisor Jay Marsden said.
“But there are more entities than just us.”
He advocated sending letters to library-partners Richland School District and Geistown Borough, urging similar donations.
“I’m for keeping it going, but, by golly, we are not the only ones in it,” Marsden said.
Supervisors unanimously approved the gift.
“This is wonderful,” library director Dorene Miller said Tuesday when hearing the good news from The Tribune-Democrat.
The township’s funding will keep the library open its current 58 hours a week. A cut to 45 hours had been proposed.
Miller said she was unable to attend the supervisors’ meeting because she was at Richland Elementary for a school board meeting. The Richland school board was approving $2,000 for the library on the same evening. That funding will help preserve a popular summer reading program that had faced the ax, Miller said.
During the summer, 174 children, including 116 Richland School District residents, participated in the five-week program.
Miller plans to attend the Geistown Borough Council meeting on Dec. 9.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Ashley Rovder, 12, browses through books Tuesday at Highland Community Library in Richland Township. She said she is an avid reader. John Rucosky
Discussion
Richland donates $25,000 to maintain library services
- Local News
-
-
Boswell-based summer camp adding 130 acres
A Boswell-based summer camp is expanding again, with an additional 130 acres of Ligonier-area land expected to provide more space for a growing program for inner-city youth.
-
City not seeking grant for firemen
Six weeks after a second round of layoffs, Johnstown firefighters believe they have found a way to restore their depleted manpower.
-
Six awarded Allegany College scholarships
Six Somerset County residents recently were awarded the Lucas Popernack Memorial Scholarships for study at Allegany College of Maryland in the current 2011-12 academic year.
-
Blogging with heart
Although it was probably high school English classes that propelled by career, I always liked science and history – with some notable, teacher-personality-or-competence-related exceptions.
-
Commissioners appoint three to arena board
The Cambria County commissioners, looking for new input for the county-owned War Memorial Arena, have appointed three new members to the seven-member War Memorial Authority board.
-
In brief: Police seek suspect in Lower Yoder burglary
West Hills Regional Police are searching for a suspect in the burglary of a Lower Yoder Township home on Tuesday.
-
Lawsuit: Bedford County shooting not 'justified'
The widow of a man who a prosecutor determined committed “suicide by cop” by pointing a weapon at state police during a standoff is suing, claiming the shooting was not justified.
-
Book honors Flight 93 co-pilot Homer
The widow of Flight 93 copilot LeRoy W. Homer Jr. is releasing a book this month on the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Boswell-based summer camp adding 130 acres
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
