May 05, 2019 at 07:38PM
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- What book would you like to read before dying?
June Daugherty recently recalled a story from years ago about a former administrator with the Euclid public schools who died in bed while reading a book. Daugherty said she never knew the title of the last book her friend read. That hasn't stopped her from charitably, and somewhat slyly, assuming that the woman was reading the Holy Bible.
"If you're going to move on while reading, it probably wouldn't hurt to get brownie points with the man upstairs by reading the Good Book," said Daugherty with a chuckle.
June Daugherty, 87, is an avid lifelong reader and champion of public libraries. The long-retired Cleveland and Euclid public schools' teacher and her husband, Hal (Doc) Daugherty, are also about as close to Euclid royalty as it gets.
Hal Daugherty, 87, who taught and coached at Euclid High School for 44 years, is in the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame. The high school's gym is named after him. June is famously known in Euclid circles for co-founding a citizens committee in 1996 that successfully fought City Hall. The grassroots committee saved the venerable Henn mansion in Sims Park, when the city of Euclid made plans to raze the historic structure.
To call her a single-issue civic cheerleader is an understatement.
The Euclid Public Library has also long held a special place in her heart. The library was a staple in the lives of her sons who grew up to become a current federal judge, a respected university academic, a public relations executive, and the owner of a local construction company.
"My children were practically raised in the library. We were always there for story hour, which, of course, was long before libraries were filled with computers. We were there for the books and newspapers. I've always treasured my library card as much as I treasure my credit card."
This Tuesday, June said she looks forward to demonstrating her love for the library again. She plans to vote to renew the Euclid library's operating levy. The 5.6 mill five-year levy will not increase property taxes and will cost taxpayers roughly $115 annually on $75,000 property valuations – less than a daily cup of coffee as the useful cliché goes.
There is no organized opposition to the levy request. That's promising. Euclid has a strong group of citizens known to aggressively target tax initiatives with which they disagree. Still, voters must turn out and vote "Yes" in order to sustain the superior services of one of Euclid's most popular civic offerings.
Last week, the Euclid public schools announced harsh budgetary cuts will be implemented in the 2019-20 academic school year. By a fairly slim margin last November, city voters rejected an operating levy request that will now strip $5.6 million from the school district's budget. The cuts will be felt across the board from administration, classroom instruction, student activities, (like cheerleading and tennis) to buildings and grounds staff.
This school budget reality is another reason why a strong Euclid library presence continues to be essential for the continued vitality of this lakefront community.
"Euclid Public Library embraces its role as a community connector. We have been dedicated to improving the quality of life for our residents for more than 84 years. We connect our patrons with invaluable resources and services, such as early literacy and technology programming, internet access, and outreach services for our seniors and homebound patrons," said Euclid Public Library Director Kacie Armstrong.
And tons of books, of course!
Recently, when asked by her granddaughter what book she would like placed in her casket when the inevitable day arrives, June Daugherty said she had a ready answer.
"Gone with the Wind," said the lifelong patron of libraries.
"That would be a great book to carry into eternity," said Daugherty said with a laugh.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- What book would you like to read before dying?
June Daugherty recently recalled a story from years ago about a former administrator with the Euclid public schools who died in bed while reading a book. Daugherty said she never knew the title of the last book her friend read. That hasn't stopped her from charitably, and somewhat slyly, assuming that the woman was reading the Holy Bible.
"If you're going to move on while reading, it probably wouldn't hurt to get brownie points with the man upstairs by reading the Good Book," said Daugherty with a chuckle.
June Daugherty, 87, is an avid lifelong reader and champion of public libraries. The long-retired Cleveland and Euclid public schools' teacher and her husband, Hal (Doc) Daugherty, are also about as close to Euclid royalty as it gets.
Hal Daugherty, 87, who taught and coached at Euclid High School for 44 years, is in the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame. The high school's gym is named after him. June is famously known in Euclid circles for co-founding a citizens committee in 1996 that successfully fought City Hall. The grassroots committee saved the venerable Henn mansion in Sims Park, when the city of Euclid made plans to raze the historic structure.
To call her a single-issue civic cheerleader is an understatement.
The Euclid Public Library has also long held a special place in her heart. The library was a staple in the lives of her sons who grew up to become a current federal judge, a respected university academic, a public relations executive, and the owner of a local construction company.
"My children were practically raised in the library. We were always there for story hour, which, of course, was long before libraries were filled with computers. We were there for the books and newspapers. I've always treasured my library card as much as I treasure my credit card."
This Tuesday, June said she looks forward to demonstrating her love for the library again. She plans to vote to renew the Euclid library's operating levy. The 5.6 mill five-year levy will not increase property taxes and will cost taxpayers roughly $115 annually on $75,000 property valuations – less than a daily cup of coffee as the useful cliché goes.
There is no organized opposition to the levy request. That's promising. Euclid has a strong group of citizens known to aggressively target tax initiatives with which they disagree. Still, voters must turn out and vote "Yes" in order to sustain the superior services of one of Euclid's most popular civic offerings.
Last week, the Euclid public schools announced harsh budgetary cuts will be implemented in the 2019-20 academic school year. By a fairly slim margin last November, city voters rejected an operating levy request that will now strip $5.6 million from the school district's budget. The cuts will be felt across the board from administration, classroom instruction, student activities, (like cheerleading and tennis) to buildings and grounds staff.
This school budget reality is another reason why a strong Euclid library presence continues to be essential for the continued vitality of this lakefront community.
"Euclid Public Library embraces its role as a community connector. We have been dedicated to improving the quality of life for our residents for more than 84 years. We connect our patrons with invaluable resources and services, such as early literacy and technology programming, internet access, and outreach services for our seniors and homebound patrons," said Euclid Public Library Director Kacie Armstrong.
And tons of books, of course!
Recently, when asked by her granddaughter what book she would like placed in her casket when the inevitable day arrives, June Daugherty said she had a ready answer.
"Gone with the Wind," said the lifelong patron of libraries.
"That would be a great book to carry into eternity," said Daugherty said with a laugh.