Proposition 1 has got it all backwards. Most money will go toward a downtown Taj Mahal library that will cost too much and serve too few.

This proposal will spend 2/3 of all its money on the downtown library and only 1/3 on neighborhood libraries. (Source: Libraries for All, pg. 10) Yet neighborhood libraries are used far more than the downtown library!

Example:

1997                 Downtown library   Neighborhood Libraries


# of children's events      70                   2,467

# of participants        2,674                  61,166

(Source: Libraries for All Capital Plan March 1998 pg. 13)

Proposition 1 proposes to demolish and build a new downtown library on the same site, a la Kingdome style!

"Has the library board ever heard of the word remodeling?...We can probably save $50 million dollars or more by keeping our existing library. Let us stop this thoughtless destruction."

(George Hartman, architect, designer of the Suzzallo Library addition)

Libraries for all?

This proposal leaves over 16 neighborhoods, Georgetown, Southpark, Eastlake and others, without branch libraries.

This property tax increases housing costs.

Seattleites can look forward to the death of Mayor Schell's affordable housing dreams if Proposition 1 passes. It will adversely affect all renters, homeowners, and property owners.

The total cost of Proposition 1, including interest at 6 1/4%, will be $347.9 million dollars! (Source: Tom Tierney, Seattle City Official, July 29, 1998) The owner of a home valued at $180,000 will pay, over the life of the bond, $1,370.00. (Source: Friends of the Seattle Public Library Newsletter, May 1998)

If Seattle is to remain an affordable place to live, basic services,like libraries, should be funded with nonproperty tax resources like councilmanic bonds.

The City used councilmanic bonds to construct Benaroya Symphony Hall, Pacific Place/Nordstrom parking garage and to purchase Key Tower. There are plans to spend $68 million in councilmanic bonds on a new City Hall. (Source: City Financing Model July 14, 1998) However, we believe library renovations should benefit from that funding source first. Based on a citizen's initiative the council will be placing a proposal to fund library renovations with councilmanic bonds on a future ballot. Until then, voting NO on Proposition 1 will help keep housing in Seattle affordable.

Coffee?

Contrary to what some proponents argue, property taxes amount to more than the cost of your "daily grind". All totaled they are a serious responsibility requiring a daily grind of hard work to pay off.

Submitted by the:

"NO" on Seattle Proposition 1 Committee
7860 Lake City Way NE
Seattle WA 98115
ph 523-6066
Jay Sauceda, Fred Bucke, Linda Jordan, Bob Hegamin