Richland Township resident voices concerns about library board appointments to commissioners
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
A Richland Township resident says she’s concerned with the selection process of library board members for the South Whitley-Cleveland Township Public Library and brought those concerns to the Whitley County commissioners on Tuesday.
“I’ve been on this for a year and a half,” said Betty Wilkinson.
Wilkinson voiced her concerns ranging from the library’s budget to how board members are selected to the amount of tax dollars going into the library.
“Outside of apparently we appoint someone on the board, I don’t think it’s brushing you off to say we don’t have anything to do with it,” said commissioner Don Amber.
“How much Richland and Cleveland and South Whitley put in the library, we don’t control that,” said Amber, adding that the council's role in appointing board members for the library typically involves a quick review of the names presented and the commissioners' approval.
“They bring those names to us and unless we have a reason not to appoint them, we usually do,” said commissioner Mike Schrader, “but if you’ve got somebody you feel would be good for that board, please let us know.” Schrader and commissioner Tom Rethlake urged Wilkinson to bring names of prospective board members for the South Whitley Cleveland Township Public Library.
“Thanks for your interest in the library, I wish more people were that interested,” said Rethlake.