Woodstock Library bond is defeated

A count of more than 1000 absentee ballots still resulted in narrow defeat of a $5.8 million bond for a 12,500-square foot library building in Woodstock.

In the count completed November 18, the bond was defeated 2089-2055. (12/3 update: After counting challenged ballots, the count was changed to 2134-2123, a margin of 11 votes.)

The same-day and early vote count had it defeated 1659-1581. Library officials held up hope the absentees would have swayed in their favor.

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There are 104 ballot challenges to be resolved, but the library concedes those are unlikely to change the result.

“We knew the community has always been divided on this issue, and the votes show this to be truer than ever,” the library said in an email to patrons and supporters.

“We wanted everyone in Woodstock to have a say in this important decision for the town. We are gratified there was such a large turnout and that voters cared to turn over their ballots and make their choice.”

The library board of trustees will discuss the next steps at its monthly meeting on November 24 at 7 p.m. via teleconference. Those interested in attending via videoconference can email jessica@woodstock.org.

There are 5 comments

  1. roger kasunic

    A shame. The Woodstock library is third-rate at best, and the “save the library” campaign, promising an upgrade, will never happen–it was always just another ploy to keep the new library from moving forward.

    In an age when information will make or break an economy, Woodstock has just dropped off the map. The highway is passing us by, all because too many folks bought into Woodstock’s faux nostalgia. The result is that we’ll soon become a quaint tourist nostalgia Disney small town with no reason to be here except to sell T-shirts. If we aren’t pretty much there already.

    The creative people who bring character to our town need an intellectual hub and a state-of-the-art center for information. Without it, they’ll go elsewhere. And so will the economy of those who earn a living from their efforts.

    1. Bobby Burke

      Your kidding, right? I have an idea, buy a computer, laptop, or smart phone, and there you go, that information hub, right in the palm of your hand. All the information and tech. that you could ever use, in fact, more information, than you could ever use, without spending one cent of public money, too build a dinosaur, that only a few, old timers, who, apparently, do not own computes use. There is no need for library buildings anymore, and the tax burden they place on communities. Wake up and join the future, anything a library offers, is on your own phone. So glad this was defeated, use the money too feed the hungry and help the poor.

  2. Ski Raul

    I grew up in woodstock and attended the best schools. I hold a degree in the classics and work in tech. I was homeschooled.

    It is the ploy of an out-of-touch ignoramus to say you need state of the art equipment. No, you just need a curious, open mind. And the current library serves that, in addition to its historical footprint. I understand the new comers wanting to put their mark on Woodstock history – all the while boasting that they are so well traveled and educated (with their coarse language and slandering) , but this is a lousy way to go about it.

  3. Bill H

    Well, this decision was arrived at democratically and I really appreciate that. Those that did not get what they want can keep at it, but I would suggest listening to those who voted against it. Voting against this library plan does not mean folks dis not want improvements or growth or a nicer library. This plan, which admittedly was expensive and daunting or a little town, was only one set of ideas. So what ideas will gain the support of more people?

    Let’s put aside the disappointment and not let it turn to bitterness and blame. Those same people will be needed to support the next effort to improve upon the library.

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