I would like to respond to the continuation of the penny sales tax by the county. The county has raised taxes in Newberry and spent the funds on many projects for the taxpayers, most of them good. But much forethought and wisdom must go into each decision.

We already have one building that is sitting idle because the county can’t seem to protect the taxpayer’s interest. And now there is another new building that sits idle too many hours a week, namely, the Newberry Library. Council should be ashamed to spend new taxes on projects it can’t afford to fully utilize. The library operates on “banker’s hours” and there outwardly appears to be no justification for the money spent, other than having a more attactive looking building in “downtown historic Newberry.”

It may be difficult to provide estimates on how much utilization the facility would see if the opening time was earlier and the hours extended each evening, but I think many taxpayers would be pleased to have the library more available than it presently is. I use this as just an example to the County Council that tax money spent wisely can be supported, but don’t buy us a “Cadillac and not be able to affort the gas.”



Charles Hanson

Newberry