20 years ago …
The 2024 election called to mind the 2004 election as it related to Creswell.
After 10 months of campaigning for a tax-supported library district for Creswell, the issue was on the ballot on Nov. 2, 2004.
The campaign committee attended Campaign Central in Eugene to watch the results along with hundreds of other campaigners and nominees. It was a festive occasion with lots of anticipation. Attendees watched the screen as the results came in.
At the end of the evening, the library campaign lost 32 votes, and committee members left the hall dejected. And then…..
Excerpt from the Nov. 11, 2004 issue of The Creswell Chronicle
“Library supporters have already endured a week of agonized waiting for results as the margin of defeat crept slowly down at the end of each day from 32 after initial Election Day results … to 25 to 12 to one as of Friday, Nov. 5.
“On Monday, Nov. 8 the numbers turned positive with 1,880 Yes votes and 1,868 No votes for a 12-volt lead in favor of creating the district.”
Excerpt from the Dec. 9 2004 issue of The Creswell Chronicle
“Certified results of the Nov. 2 election show that the Creswell area voters approved the creation of a library district by a margin of 19 votes out of 3,813 cast … Creswell area residents will mark the library vote as a pivotal point in their community’s history.
“ … It’s remarkable that people in Creswell and the surrounding areas would agree to bring into being a new unit of local government and give it permanent taxing authority.
“Yet that’s what happened … In a decade’s time, people in the Creswell area can expect to look back with pride on this vote. The library will strengthen the schools, reinforce community identity and become an incubator of civic activity. The voters in the district showed a clear concept of where their long-term interests lie; boosting confidence that Creswell will always be more than a suburb.” Reprinted from the Nov. 30, 2004 issue of The Register-Guard.
Fast-forward to 2024 …
The library district is fulfilling its promise and its potential.
The Creswell Library moved to its newly remodeled site at 64 W. Oregon Ave. in 2006 and expanded in 2019. It is a friendly, welcoming space that has become a vital part of the community. The 2004 voters of Creswell bought into a vision of the future that has come to pass.
Creswell resident Verlean McCoy wrote this for The Chronicle.
