Salt Spring library referendum passes

The Salt Spring library referendum has passed by a 78 per cent margin.

Gulf Islands Driftwood:

Total votes counted after the Dec. 5 referendum saw 1870 voters in favour of the bylaw to borrow $2.75 million to build a new library on McPhillips Avenue in Ganges, versus 519 against, for a 78 per cent approval rate.

Individual poll breakdowns were as follows:

- Advance poll - 650 yes, 135 no

- Salt Spring elementary - 483 yes, 149 no

- Fulford elementary - 267 yes, 52 no

- Community Gospel - 470 yes, 183 no.

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Don Quixote Note: Saltspring Island had a referendum to decide if they would borrow funds to pay for a new library. There is no necessity for the Okanagan Library Board to have such a referendum unless the Library's Board of Directors decides to have one for any new branch. They have the taxing authority to borrow money without having to resort to a referendum or even a counter-petition period (alternative approval process).