Plainfield Library Expansion Project: Misses Needs of People at Huge Tax Cost

In our neighborhood, we have been littered with multiple communications on the Plainfield Library Project. I want to provide a forum for an opposing viewpoint and also urge support to Vote AGAINST the massive Plainfield Library Expansion Project.

As a Plainfield resident, I encourage your support to vote AGAINST the significant tax increase supporting the unnecessary expansion of an outdated model. The massive library project remains deeply rooted in the technology of the past. Clearly, our current generation operates in multiple virtual social networks through mobile devices. The concept of “build it and they shall come” is indicative of the the lack of foresight for future requirements. The project planners are expanding to a substantially larger building that will include multiple rooms for meeting spaces. There is no evidence that supports that this is how people even want to meet in the future. Further, providing for an expansion of little used meeting spaces is not fiscally responsible without revenue offsetting the substantial sunk cost. It seems evident that planners are ignoring the developments of electronic books and potential new technology advancements in the next 10 - 20 years. Clearly, this will yield a backwards library model that does not seriously put the needs of the people as its first priority. Instead, it will provide selfish fulfillment for only a few individuals rooted in the past.

I am appalled at all of the extravagant marketing collateral that has been spun to support the project. As referenced in the Plainfield Patch, a fellow resident pointed out the following:

“...Library supporters are attempting to deceive their way into convincing our residents that our TAXES will only go up a minuscule amount of ONLY $5 dollars per month per $100,000 assessment! Even using this paltry prediction which corresponds to an average of over $200 dollars more in property tax for Plainfield homeowners!”

Again, the quote was extracted from a letter submitted by a Plainfield resident that was posted in the Plainfield Patch on February 9, 2016. I urge you to do the math for yourself based on your property value and VOTE NO on the exorbitant TAX INCREASE!

The letter in the Plainfield Patch also references how even these costs are substantially understated as you consider the growing cost of staffing, pensions, sunk cost in outdated paper books, utilities, maintenance etc. Not to mention, the unanticipated cost overruns over time on massive projects like this proposal. The marketing spin references the growth of population to approximately 75K. Our population as referenced from 2013 places us just above 41K. The last thing we need is our tax dollars being spent to create an outdated infrastructure for people that aren’t even part of our community nor took any part in contributing to this extravagant undertaking.

Homeowners be warned, this is your opportunity to get out and vote. Say NO to the Library project! Say NO to More TAXES! Say NO to irresponsible planning for those selfish few who are ignoring the true needs of our people! Use the link below to get out ahead of this issue and VOTE NO!

Early voting has already begun at the Will County Clerk’s office and through voting by mail. The Village of Plainfield (also serving Plainfield Township) and Wheatland Township will begin on Monday, February 29. A full listing of early voting locations, dates and times is available here:

http://assets01.aws.connect.clarityelections.com/Assets/Connect/RootPubl...

Please cut and paste this link into your browser. Please research this information for yourself; pull the covers back from this marketing spin and decide for yourself. Lastly, please share this information with all of your Plainfield family and friends to make sure everyone is aware.

Sincerely,
Ed Jacob