Vote to Privatize Sumter County Library System
 

The Sumter County Commissioners will vote this Tuesday on whether to privatize the Sumter County Library System. This is a non-competitive bid as there is only one private company, LSSI, that is currently doing this.

The commissioners need to hear from as many people as possible that we oppose this measure. Even if you have already contacted them, Chairperson Gilpin stated at last Tuesday's workshop that they want to hear from residents now that they have put all the information about the proposed contract out there.

The scant information they presented did not dispel my objections. They are now calling it "outsourcing" rather than privatization. The county administrator stated in the commissioners' meeting at Bushnell on June 11th that the American Library Association does not oppose outsourcing, as it does privatization. No matter what you call it, the American Library Association does oppose the turning over of library management and operations to a private, for-profit company. This is exactly what the BOCC is proposing to do.

Please email each of the commissioners to tell them that you oppose this action.

District 1 Al.Butler@SumterCountyFL.gov
District 2 Doug.Gilpin@SumterCountyFL.gov
District 3 Don.Burgess@SumterCountyFL.gov
District 4 Garry.Breeden@SumterCountyFL.gov
District 5 Don.Hahnfeldt@SumterCountyFL.gov
(This is important even if you are not a registered voter here. Any Sumter County resident is entitled to a library card, whether or not you are a full-time resident.)

Ask your friends, neighbors, and those in your clubs to email the commissioners also.

Attend the BOCC meeting on Tuesday, June 25 at 5 PM at the Colony Cottage Recreation Center, 510 Colony Blvd., The Villages, when the commissioners will be voting on the proposition. During the public comments section of the meeting, tell the BOCC that you are against privatization of the Sumter County library system. Wear a blue shirt.

Let's make our voices heard!

Could you list your objections so we can better understand why we should support your opposition.

Thanks,
Don

DONE!! This is important! Please take the time to make a difference. If you don't know the particulars, CLICK HERE

Xavier