To the editor:

In response to recent criticism of Americans for Prosperity’s stance on the library expansion vote Nov. 2, I feel compelled to reiterate our position.

As an organization, AFP did not and does not oppose updating public facilities such as the Lawrence Public Library when it is necessary. We did, however, oppose this ballot initiative as written because we believe there were better alternatives to this proposal, which simply heaped resources on one building downtown without serving additional areas of the community.

The problem with this proposal was its price tag — $18 million — and its focus on a single area of Lawrence without providing any more convenience to those who are paying for it.

We had suggested the library board consider developing a new branch that would serve another part of Lawrence and could also incorporate additional meeting space. This could have been done at a much lower cost, and would have been more of a benefit to the entire community.

We believe a more modest proposal with a smaller price tag would have been more appropriate at this time.

Jim Mullins, Americans for

Prosperity-Kansas

Lawrence