JACKSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SUPPORTS LIBRARIES MERGER

JACKSON -- With a vote just two weeks away, Mayor Paul Sander went before the Jackson Chamber of Commerce Monday to answer questions about the merger of the two libraries in Jackson.

Their curiosity satisfied, the chamber voted unanimously to support the merger and the tax increase that would result.

Everyone in Cape Girardeau County outside the Cape Girardeau Public Library District will vote Nov. 7 on the proposal, which calls for combining Jackson Public Library and Riverside Regional Library and making all library patrons pay 18 cents per $100 assessed valuation property tax.

The current assessments are 13 cents in the Jackson district and 8 cents in the Riverside District.

The tax increase in either district would be relatively insignificant, Sander said.

The surprise issue has been location. The Jackson Park Board donated an area of City Park on Highway D for the building, but even if the issue passes that location isn't set in stone. Others would be considered if anyone suggested them, but so far no one has come up with another option.

"This is the first time the public library, Riverside Regional, the Park Board and the city have all agreed to push for a state-of-the-art library," Sander said. "It's not the first time it has come up, but it never made it to the ballot for one reason or another."

The $1.5 million endeavor is needed, he said, because of limitations of both libraries. Jackson Public Library's tax base is limited to the people living in the 1965 city limits. It is overcrowded, and the current library-city hall building isn't suitable for expansion.

A new city hall could have accommodated the library at its present size, but that wouldn't solve any problems.

"If the issue doesn't pass, there will be some very tough decisions to be made about the future of our public library," Sander said. "With the restrictions we're under and with the tax base not expanding, we have very few options other than the merger with the Riverside system."

Meanwhile, the Riverside Regional Library doesn't own its Jackson building. When the lease is up, it could relocate anywhere. Director Jeff Roth has cited space and parking limitations as a good reason to merge.

"The city isn't pro-tax," Sander said. "We wouldn't put this on the ballot unless we thought it was the best for our kids and grandkids."

The Rev. Grant Gillard, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, said he didn't realize there was a Jackson Public Library during the first six months after he moved to Jackson. He lives in the Riverside district. "I like libraries, and I recognize their value for me and my kids," Gillard said. "I think the cost is very minimal."

Larry Hall, chamber president, said he doesn't think worries about the proposed location are founded. He said the new library would enhance City Park and not interfere with park activities.