It’s been about two weeks since residents in Jamestown Charter Township voted against a millage that funds Patmos Library – after the public resource refused to take LGBTQ+- themed books off its shelves. The failed millage cost Patmos 85% of its funding.
“They voted down the millage to send the message to us. We the board are not going to pull and take books out of our library to meet their demands, their ransom demands,” Patmos Library Board President, Larry Walton, said.
Despite online fundraisers delivering more than $100,000, Walton said Patmos faces closure without the millage funds. However, he told WGVU, there could be a second chance at the voting polls. The board submitted paperwork to Ottawa County on Tuesday, requesting a new millage proposal for the November primary ballot.
“A total of a point six millage was requested this past August 2nd. We’re asking the same amount for this November,” he said.
When asked what could make the outcome of this vote different from the last, Walton said “awareness,” citing a flurry of support the library has received both locally and nationally since it was defunded.
