Community News

Library foundation will not have initiative on August ballot

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By Justine McGuire
Williamston Post staff writer

WILLIAMSTON – Recent developments have caused the Williamston Community Library Foundation to back off the plan to have its proposal for a new library building on the ballot this August. Wheatfield Township’s board of trustees continue to block the initiative by refusing to appoint a representative to the joint building authority. “We’re going to move a little bit more slowly but more carefully and strategically,” said Jack Helder, the foundation’s president. Helder said that the trustees of the township don’t think there is enough interest to make the cost worthwhile. To prove them wrong, the foundation plans to gather 200-300 signatures, which would be about a quarter of the township’s adult population.

Community News

Foundation hits bumps on way to new library building

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By Justine McGuire
Williamston Post staff writer

WILLIAMSTON – Wheatfield Township trustees decided not to send a representative to form a joint building authority, putting a snag in the Williamston Community Library Foundation’s plans for a new library building. The current plans require the City of Williamston, Williamstown Township and Wheatfield Township to form a joint building authority, then agree on the details of the building before the three municipalities can apply to put this initiative on the ballot. Williamstown has agreed to send a representative to negotiate on the joint building authority committee. Williamston recently selected Kathleen DeForest, Mayor James DeForest’s wife, to represent the city. Jack Helder, the foundation’s president and a resident of Wheatfield, said that the main reason Wheatfield gave for declining to send a representative was a lack of support in the community.