Letter: Questions candidate’s criticism of Library

To the editor:

Sadly, as a voter I have come to accept a certain amount of hyperbole, half-truths, and skewed statistics from candidates for federal and state offices. I’m sorry to see it reach our municipal election.

I’m talking specifically about the candidate for City Council, Doc Savara, whose platform and door-to-door campaign includes sharp criticism of the Oak Ridge Public Library, the library director, and staff. He alleges inefficient use of taxpayer dollars, bloated fees, and over-staffing, and he bases his findings on a check of national statistics and a story he has heard from a library patron who obviously had an unhappy experience.

Full disclosure: I work at the Library.  To my knowledge, this candidate has never spoken to the library director nor has he made any effort to find out just how this library serves our community and the surrounding area.

The Oak Ridge Public Library is an integral part of our city’s exceptional quality of life and has been for 70 years. As voters, we have the responsibility to question political allegations and find out the facts.

Susie Stooksbury

Oak Ridge