Partisan Politics Emerge in Troy Public Library Vote

Troy residents call to keep politics out of Aug. 2 library vote. (Oakland Press, 8/1/2011)

Excerpt: The City of Troy's last-ditch effort to keep its library doors open by asking residents to approve a 0.7 millage on the August ballot has divided the city. And some are saying that taking the issue to partisan politics has gone too far.

Troy resident and registered Republican Timothy McGee expressed concern to 17 city Republican delegates and County Commissioner Robert Gosselin who signed a mailing sent on July 18 by the grassroots group, Troy Citizens United, which urges residents to vote “no” Tuesday, Aug. 2, on the millage and accuses Mayor Louise Schilling, Mayor Pro Tem Mary Kerwin and council members Maureen McGinnis and Dane Slater for partisan actions.

The TCU letter reads: “Council keeps asking for tax increases because Mayor Schilling and Councilmembers Kerwin, McGinnis and Slater were all endorsed by the local Democrat Party and unions. Mayor Schilling and Councilwoman Kerwin even had Elect Obama signs on their lawns. The Obama win has re-energized the Democrats in our city and they are working hard in Troy.”

“This is going to hurt the Republican Party,” McGee said. “If this fails, the Republicans will be held responsible for the library closing.”

Related posts:
Residents to vote on library village on August 2.  (7/28/2011)
Patrons speak up for their library.  (7/24/2011)
Safeguarding American Families:  Vote yes to save Troy Library.  (7/14/2011)
Troy mayor is upbeat.  (7/14/2011)
Oakland Press editorial.  (7/14/2011)
Book burning listed on Detroit News events calendar.  (7/12/2011)
Troy Chamber supports millage request for library.  (7/10/2011)
A half-million dollar library collection up in flames?  Not gonna happen.  (7/9/2011)
I)s it just me or are things heating up in Troy Michigan?  (7/6/2011)
The battle lines are drawn.  (6/28/2011)
August 2nd a "This Is It" moment for the Troy Public Library..  (5/17/2011)
Working to keep the library open.  (5/10/2011)
Will there be a library after June 30th?  (4/20/2011)
Keep the Troy Public Library open:  Council members told to 'figure it out'.  (4/19/2011)
May Day!  May Day!  Two Michigan libraries set to close on May 1.  (4/17/2011)
Library to close on May 1.  (2/23/2011)
Troy Michigan (population: 80,000) still on track to close its library.  (2/8/2011)
Voters wave bye-bye to their library.  (11/3/2010)
Giving voters more choices than they need.  (8/13/2010)
Library threatened with closure, part 2.  (5/19/2010)
Library threatened with closure, part 1. &