Group promises to burn books if library closes

from the Detroit News today:

Troy —It's an odd way to support a library tax — threaten a book-burning party if the measure fails.

But some lawn signs popping up around Troy are doing just that, prompting questions and criticism of the group behind the effort.

The signs started appearing in city neighborhoods earlier this month. A line on the signs indicates they were paid for by an organization called Safeguarding American Families (SAFE).

The group registered with the county on June 20 as a ballot question committee and supporter of the Aug. 2 millage. A box indicating opposition appeared to be scribbled out after it was checked.

"We don't know what's going on," said Aileen Bittner, acting city clerk. "We're aware of the group. We're watching it because of the topic. It's a bit unusual."

Residents will vote on a 0.7-mill tax levy that would provide dedicated funding to the library for five years. If the millage fails, the library will close on Aug. 5.

SAFE promises a book-burning party the same day the library would close. In addition to yard signs, SAFE has T-shirts, mugs and a Facebook page dedicated to the campaign.

Some think the site is satire, but creators of the Book Burning Party page claim otherwise.

"Our agenda's pretty simple," states a posting from the Facebook page creator. "We want the library to close so we can have a book burning party. What's not to get?"

Officials for the group could not be reached for comment.

Deborah DeBacker, committee member of Troy Citizens United, an anti-tax group, said she doesn't support the millage, but she doesn't support book-burning either.

"We have nothing to do with this. We think it's disgusting," DeBacker said. "We want to keep the library open. We just want to do it without additional taxes."

The Troy City Council cut funding for the library and its nature museum in May 2010, saying the city was facing a projected $2.2 million budget deficit and could not afford to operate the library from the general fund.

Residents twice voted down similar proposals last year. Organizers convinced the city to again put the issue on the ballot.

Ellen Hodorek, spokeswoman for Save Troy, the organization spearheading the campaign to save the library, said the idea of burning books is "outrageous."

"We don't know what to think. We're hoping it's just satire," Hodorek said. "Bottom line, if people want to save the library, they'll get out and vote yes."

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Do you think these are kids? I believe it is, and I think they're brilliant. They certainly melted Deborah DeBacker's brain. The kids are alright.