Yes folks, there is a power play going on between the Commissioners (who only need two votes) and the Library. The 2 new Library Board members, Jerry Maggard and Jim Barnhill were both appointed by the Commishes and have already caused a lot of friction with their macho style tactics. These two members are on a mission and are acting as the Commissioners surrogates to meddle in the affairs of the library. All in the name of good government! These guys will sure make Bruce Smith proud!
President of the Library Board, Carolyn Calhoon-Dillahunt explains everything in a letter to the editor published in the May 28th issue of the Yakima Herald. See the copy below:
Disappointment
To the editor — As Yakima Valley Regional Library board president, I was contacted by a Yakima Herald-Republic reporter but chose not to contribute to the May 8 article, “Power play.” However, I do have a reaction: Disappointment.
First, in the newest trustees, who I believe misrepresent issues in the article and who seem to work independently of the rest of the board. From conversations at meetings and in e-mails, I know they discuss library business outside of public board meetings, and bypass the board on some request for action and information.
However, I’m more disappointed with the county commissioners, whose handpicked appointments have resulted in a dysfunctional board, forcing the board and staff to waste valuable time and resources addressing internal conflict.
The commissioners claimed they appointed the most qualified candidates with the “most interest” in the library. Their first appointee declined a library card when offered during a board meeting. The commissioners claimed to want more business people on the board, an unusual (and convenient) justification for their appointments since the library already has an able finance manager, a history of clean audits and voter-approved funding. The commissioners claim they aren’t trying to “meddle” while appointing trustees who criticize and micromanage.
A “power play” is occurring, but it’s not the director overstepping her authority; I believe the newest trustees overstep theirs.
CAROLYN CALHOON-DILLAHUNT
Zillah