Outside agencies puzzled by St. Lawrence County legislators

CANTON — Some of St. Lawrence County’s outside agencies are baffled about the outcome of a recent budget review session where some groups received more funding than others.

Among other agencies, legislators restored funding to Cornell Cooperative Extension, the county Chamber of Commerce, Ogdensburg Command Performance, and the county Arts Council. But others were not as lucky.

A motion on restoring funding to 19 member libraries failed by one vote. No legislator tried to give more money to Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley — which made a budget request in line with the county’s original 15 percent across-the-board reduction — or the county Historical Association, which had requested 10 percent less than last year.

For the most part, those that asked for more were rewarded.

“We did the right thing. Perhaps we should have been squeakier,” said Brad D. Catling, Hospice director of development and community relations. “We know the financial situation the county is in. We thought we would be fortunate to get money from the county.”

While sympathetic to the county’s plight, the Historical Association also suffered.

“We know it’s tough economic times,” said J. Susanne Longshore, the association’s collections manager. “We offered to take some of the burden.”

But Ms. Longshore said she does not understand why the association is not treated more directly as a part of government because Trent A. Trulock is the county historian and the association maintains county archives.

Representatives of libraries left the session feeling underappreciated.

“It’s pretty inexplicable to me,” said Tom A. Langen, president of the Canton Free Library. “I can understand if it was necessary to cut all agencies. Why is the value of libraries not seen by the legislature as a whole?”

Libraries have become primary centers for job searches and for Internet access for those who cannot afford a home computer, he said.

“I personally don’t see libraries as something the county can survive without,” Mr. Langen said.

The 15 percent cut to libraries adds up to a 35 percent decrease in funding since 2009.

“Libraries were at $123,000 in 2008. If this cut isn’t restored, we will be at $84,150 in 2012, a loss of $38,850,” Canton Director Carolyn J. “Lyn” Swafford wrote in an email. “That is significant.”

Legislative Chairwoman Sallie A. Brothers, D-Norfolk, is pushing for restoration of funding for libraries.

“I am a regular at the library and I see who uses them,” she said. “I’m hopeful I’ve enlightened a couple ‘no’ votes.”

Another vote on library funding would have to come from a legislator who voted against it before.

Legislator Anthony J. Arquiett, D-Helena, who was among those who voted no, said it is possible legislators will take another look.

“It’s not out of the question for me to reconsider,” he said. “It’s tough to prioritize how to spend tax dollars most effectively.”

Jonathan S. Putney, D-Waddington, who also cast a no vote for libraries, said he values their work but that the county is fiscally vulnerable without a sales tax increase or relief from state mandates.

“Obviously, libraries are extremely important. We’ve been forced into taking a hard look at these things. I’m concerned about our financial situation. I don’t want to come into next year and have to lay people off,” Mr. Putney said. “Unfortunately, these are the kind of difficult decisions we have to make but the budget isn’t complete yet.”