Letters: May 20

Re: What do we get for our money?, Shastri Ablack

Sharbot Lake library undersized, Marcel Giroux

Re: “What do we get for our money?” Frontenac News, May 6, 2010

I find this an excellent subject for debate, and agree with Jeff Green's take on it.

Most, if not all who live here, were either born and grew up here, or came to live here after visiting, in order to seek "solitude", and to distance ourselves from the hustle, bustle and penetrating lights of cities. I myself came here because I became enchanted with the beauty of the Central Frontenac landscape, and the simplicity and goodness of its people (hmmm, not to mention I married a woman from Sharbot Lake). I, too, have asked myself why my taxes are so high when the only "visible" service I get is snow clearing. Merrickville, where I previously lived, advertises itself as the Jewel on the Rideau". I would call Sharbot Lake a "Diamond in the Rough".

Nevertheless, one could argue that Jeff's rationalization would condemn Sharbot Lake to stagnation. Our sons and daughters who wish to continue their education beyond high school must leave for the cities; and upon graduation, choose to remain there, though they may yearn to return to their birthplace to employ their newly-acquired skills and theories for the benefit of the community they left behind. Why? Because there are no jobs for them here. After all, they should be entitled to a decent living.

Those who live here, and those who came to seek the serenity of life here after retirement from city jobs, will eventually die, as we all will. And no young couples will have moved here in the meantime because of the lack of business and educational facilities (unless there is a return to a "back-to-the-land" mentality). Also, some people who have spent a lifetime here, particularly on lakefront property, have already had to move away because they can't afford to pay the taxes anymore.

Bearing in mind that "sustainability" and "viability" are prominent buzz words for governments in today's world, years down the road when we all grow old and die, Sharbot Lake will become a ghost town...unless, of course, the cycle repeats itself and those sons and daughters who left to partake of the lucrative world decide to return after retirement from the traumatic city lights to the serenity of the "Diamond in the Rough".

It would certainly be interesting to hear/read what others may have to say on the subject.

Shastri Ablack

Sharbot Lake library undersized

In the April 29 edition, Mr. Patrick Maloney (Reasons fo Resignation, Letters, April 29) , makes comments and expresses opinions about his membership in and resignation from a township committee. I do not wish to contest or even comment on those opinions. I do however take exception to a statement about the Sharbot Lake Branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library and I quote: “Myopic influential individuals want a new library in Sharbot Lake even though there is no basis to warrant it. According to the Kingston Frontenac Public Library Board’s own calculations, the existing 1,000 square foot library in Sharbot Lake is over-sized for the population of Oso and will continue to be so long into the future.”

FACT: From opening day in 1969 to today, the Sharbot Lake Branch has always been undersized, according to accepted provincial standards.

FACT: When the Township of Oso announced that it would build a township office and provide space for the library, the Frontenac County Library Board asked for 2000 sq. ft. to fit the established level of activity. The actual space given was the current 1000 sq. ft.

FACT: When the consultant’s report was issued in 2004, it recommended that the Sharbot Lake Branch be increased to 2000 sq. ft. to accommodate the current level of activity. It also recommended a further increase to 4000 sq. ft. if the library wished to provide the same level of service as available in most urban branches. Nowhere can anyone find the number 9000 in this context.

FACT: One set of statistics required for official reporting is “circulation per sq. ft”. The average for all 17 branches is 10.28. The average for the seven branches in Central & North Frontenac is 9.54. The highest number is Sydenham at 23.15 and they have already started a new building to correct that. Sharbot Lake is 3rd highest at 18.79, which is just about double the norm. What it means really is the Sharbot Lake Branch users have only half the selection available to the average user and are twice as crowded while in the Branch.

By several measures, the Sharbot Lake Branch is the busiest of the all the rural branches. There is nothing myopic about wanting the same level of service available throughout the system.

Marcel Giroux