LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Fund the county library

Comment   Email   Print
Related Articles

County Commission Meeting
Re: Adams Memorial Library
August 27, 1019

Dr. J.F. Adams left a huge footprint of good in the 20th century. Not only did he bring many of your mothers and fathers into the world, he also was medical doctor who through his medical expertise helped those who were sick to return to good health. In addition to his medical practice, he assisted in bringing many jobs to Cannon County. Today, those businesses have closed or left the county.

However, there are three vestiges of those enterprises that continue to make a huge impact on this county. First, would be Short Mountain Bible Camp (on Dr. Adams farm, still owned by the Adams family) that annually brings 3-4,000 people into Cannon County yearly. The Adams family during the time I served on the Camp Board (1980-1997) donated a least $1 million to camp improvements.

Second, the Good Samaritan Hospital, which closed in 1982 with the opening of HCA Stones River Hospital, has remained in use ever since. For many of the 37 years since, that property has been leased to the County for $10 per year. This facility, has housed the County Health Department, the County Ambulance Service, the Election Office, and the Cannon County School Board. If today's County Commissioners would stop to reflect on that benefit alone from the Adams family, it would be realized that a rental fee of about $3.7 million could have been charged to the County for her usage of that property - all for the meager fee of $370.00. And, to the best of my recollection, a reading of the deed would indicate that if this property ceased being used for medical purposes, that property could revert to the Adams Family.

And thirdly, Adams Memorial Library, now nearly 55 years old, remains. As you have read, this facility was built to permanently represent Dr. Adams and honor him for what he did for Cannon County. For these 55 years, no tax monies have been used to build, renovate, or add to the facility. Monies have come from donations. The facility and property are owned by the Dr. and Mrs. J.F. Adams Memorial Association, and the Association takes care of all property and facility expense. Again, the Adams family, who continue to love Cannon County, has provided monetary gifts when needed for this facility and its expansion.

This facility, though honoring Dr. Adams, was conceived to provide Cannon County a place to conduct business as a public library, and for these past years, Cannon Countians have enjoyed coming to one of the best, and I believe today, the best library facility in any small county in the great State of Tennessee.

Focus on that word PUBLIC. A building is an IT. For this facility to actually be a public library, County Commissioners for these past years have understood their role in providing funds for a librarian and assistants who, along with the County's Library Board oversee what is actually the library. It is these people who work with the State of Tennessee and her library resources, as well as the state's regional library board to provide all that a library is about. The County's funding also pays for utilities.

Apparently, there are people on the Commission and in the community who misunderstand the role of the Adams Memorial Association. Our charter leaves us with the charge to take care of the facility and grounds. It is not, nor will it ever be, the responsibility of this Association to run, operate, oversee in any way a public library that is the responsibility of the County.
Today, Cannon County has use of a $2.5 million dollar facility FREE OF CHARGE. The Association spends $35-50,000 per year taking care of the property and grounds. These funds come a Trust Fund at the Community Foundation which was started by Austin Jennings, again from donations from those who loved Dr. Adams and appreciate all he did for Cannon County.

Dr. Adams footprint is alive and still giving to Cannon County. Rather than all this bickering, false rumors, and complaining, a more appropriate and right response should be THANK YOU from a grateful heart.

Thus, I urge you as commissioners to vote yes to funding the County's library this year and every year from hereafter.

Herb Alsup
President, Adams Memorial Library Association

Read more from:
CANNON COMMUNITY
Tags: 
None
Share: 
Comment   Email   Print
Powered by Bondware
News Publishing Software

The browser you are using is outdated!

You may not be getting all you can out of your browsing experience
and may be open to security risks!

Consider upgrading to the latest version of your browser or choose on below: