News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
After an 18-month-long argument over rent and equity, the City of Sisters has handed the Deschutes Public Library District a list of conditions for using the Sisters Library facility.
The city is making the DPLD responsible for all maintenance; utilities; and snow removal on sidewalks and parking areas. Rent in the amount of $1,580 per month will continue, though the city is not acting to collect it.
The DPLD has consistently refused to pay rent, claiming that to do so would violate the terms of the Library Services and Construction grant that built the Sisters Library. The City of Sisters signed the grant and holds title to the property.
According to a letter sent from the Sisters City Council to the DPLD board of directors, the library district will be required to vacate the current property when a new library is built in Sisters.
The DPLD wants to keep what it considers equity in the building from grant funds and donations that helped build the library. DPLD director Michael Gaston has said that money would be used for a new Sisters Library.
According to the council's letter, "The city will not participate in any discussions regarding the library district's perceived 'equity' share of the property... the library district should not plan on receiving any funds from a possible sale of this building."
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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