“The Town respectfully requests that you immediately overturn this unwise proposed action before it gains any steam,” the letter reads. “There is a great deal of anguish, angst, incredulity, astonishment, shock and bewilderment amongst the citizens of Greater Garner due to this terrible proposal.”
The letter highlights the importance of the library in the Garner community and directs Commissioners to an online petition, which nearly 1,000 people had signed, and a Facebook page, with more than 1,200 fans, to save Southeast Regional. A paper copy of the petition is already circulating for those without access to a computer.
"We're not happy about it. You're not happy about it. Citizens are not happy about it," Town Manager Hardin Watkins said to the Council.
Councilman Jackie Johns said he believes the possible closing is Wake County’s way of slapping Garner in the face.
“The citizens of Garner need to stay up in arms,” he said.
The audience grew during the meeting and the work session became a pubic hearing for more than 10 residents to share their concerns.
Greenbrier resident Wanda Nicholson said she is happy to see so many people rallying for the library.
"For once, we're all united on an issue," she said.
Joel Youngblood said even when times were terrible in the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, there was a library that could be used by all.
“If there’s anything that is part of the social fabric of life in our nation and community, it’s a public library,” he said.
Ruby Miller-Ousley, also a Greenbrier resident, has lived in Garner since 1964 and is a retired middle school teacher. She said the library is vital to the education of Garner’s children. She has seen lines of high school students waiting to use the library’s computers on Saturday mornings and said she is not sure how children’s scores can improve if they don’t have books to read.
“It’s a cheap way to educate children,” she said.
Even children are showing their support for the library. Kristen Warren told the Town Council her seven-year-old daughter cried when she learned that Southeast Regional might close.
The Warrens check out nearly 80 books of all different reading levels per week, Kristen said, and would like to see the library stay in Garner, even if volunteers ran it.
Children have been asked to make colorful signs for protests to get involved as well.
The Council has received a large response from the community - more than issues like solid waste or the recent discovery of more than $300,000 missing from the Garner Volunteer Fire-Rescue Department’s budget, according to Councilman Buck Kennedy.
“This shows where our priorities are,” he said.
Still, the struggle won't be easy for Garner's readers.
“This is not a short-term fight; this is a long-term battle," Kennedy said. "We will fight as long as it takes.”
Garner’s residents haven’t taken that lightly. The online petition now has more than 1,300 signatures and the Facebook page has nearly 2,350 fans.
The Facebook fans have taken to the Internet to share their feelings on the possible closing on the group’s wall. The group also planned to hold a protest in front of the Southeast Regional Library today at 4 p.m.
Garner residents have let their voices be heard and the Town Council is listening.
“People are mad as hell and they’re getting madder,” Mayor Ronnie Williams said.
The group expected to take the signatures to the Wake County Commissioners Feb. 1, but the meeting was canceled because of the dangerous road conditions. The next Wake County Commissioners’ meeting will be held Feb. 15. The petition is expected to be presented to the commissioners at that meeting.
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