Library funding

A homeowner and business owner since 2009/2010, he praised the library's story times, summer reading and coding club for his son, and argued public libraries are fundamental to an educated, free society.

A homeowner said cutting library hours further would be short-sighted and harmful, calling the library a haven for children, seniors and newcomers — many of whom told her they moved to Independence because of it.

A homeowner and youth services worker with kids in the schools said $20 is a small price compared to losing parks, the museum and library access, noting his son attends weekly coding classes at the library and he is building a museum exhibit with students.

A mother of young children, she spoke emotionally in support of the document fee to maintain library services, describing weekly story time and warning of what families lose if hours or services are cut.

Said the museum and library are the 'root structure' of downtown and warned that cutting them would erode downtown vitality and visitor spending over time.