05/03/2010 // West Palm Beach, FL, USA // Tara Monks // Tara Monks
Yonkers, NY – Cellular service giant Verizon has filed a lawsuit against the Yonkers Public Library in attempts to recover backed fees from July 10, 2003 to August 1, 2009, as reported by The Journal News. The suit seeks $722,363.40 in unpaid Internet fees, $144,472.68 in lawyer fees plus a 1.5 percent-per-month finance charge for the entire bill.
The lawsuit was filed on March 22, 2010, in state Supreme Court in White Plains. John Bonomo, a Verizon spokesman, reported the company has repeatedly tried to settle a repayment plan with the library, but to no avail.
He reported, “We’ve pretty much bent over backward as much as we could.”
Internet service is a popular attraction for Yonkers library visitors. On weekday mornings, people visit the Riverfront and Will branches in order to use the internet for free.
The library has seen harsh budget cuts over the past two years, making this lawsuit just one more burden the organization must bear. Shrinking city budgets have led to the library being forced to sell its bookmobile, close on Sundays and close early on certain weeknights.
The Yonkers Public Library yearly budget is currently set at $8.3 million. The 2011 fiscal year will start July 1, 2010 and is likely to see a nine percent reduction though, settling at $7.6 million for the year.
On Monday, May 3, 2010, City Council was expected to hold a hearing in its chambers on the proposed library budget.
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