Commission Questioned Over Reappointments To Library Board
Crawford County commissioners were questioned Aug. 23 over their decision to reappoint two members to the library board without interviewing other applicants.
Tena Slovensky and Carol Lea, who represent the Steelville area, were approved to new four-year terms Aug. 16.
Both Slovensky and Lea came with letters of recommendation from the library board.
Both were original members when the board was formed in 2018.
The following week, commissioners were questioned why they did not give consideration to the other applicants.
Interest in the library board spiked after a planned rainbow story time featuring the book The Rainbow Parade was scheduled for Pride Month in June.
Following threats to the library, the story time was canceled.
During the Aug. 23 meeting, Cindy Redburn told commissioners they announced July 26 they would be reviewing applications.
“Three weeks passed and no one was interviewed,” Redburn said.
She said the commission was aware of the controversy over The Rainbow Parade and they ignored people’s concerns.
District 2 Commissioner Jared Boast didn’t back down from the body’s decision.
“The library board has done good things,” he said. “They’ve kept our tax money here. Us as a commission don’t carry on with coffee shop talk.”
Boast said they only received one official complaint and it included an audit request of the library board.
“Who is to say these board members were responsible?” he asked. “It appears everything was in order.”
Presiding Commissioner Leo Sanders said his personal feelings “have nothing to do with the decisions we make.”
Redburn criticized the board for not having its Steelville office open more frequently and said Joy Mentink, the director, isn’t there.
“You shirked your duties,” Redburn said. “You’ve lost our confidence in your decision-making.”
Boast said that going forward, all boards that require appointments from the commission will receive notification that they should submit reappointments 100 days prior to expiration.