Community advocate calls for urgent library leadership overhaul

During a recent city council meeting, council members voted to excuse two absent members, Omis and Hollander, before moving on to citizen comments. Arne C. Deenhoff, a county public advocate, addressed the council regarding the urgent need for leadership changes within the city-county public library district.

Deenhoff highlighted the low voter turnout in the recent elections, noting only 7.5% participation in his precinct, and expressed hope for a higher countywide turnout. He then shifted focus to the library district, which he described as being in \"shambles\" and in dire need of new leadership. He criticized the current executive director for expanding the central cabinet significantly, resulting in multiple high-salaried positions that he deemed unnecessary.

Deenhoff pointed out that the city has four members on the library board, with one member, Richard Gardner, reportedly unwilling to seek reappointment. He also mentioned the resignation of another member, TJ Rains, and the expired term of Josiah Smith, which has left the board short-staffed.

He urged Mayor Bogmeyer to appoint him as a city representative to the board, citing the difficulty in finding qualified volunteers willing to serve. Deenhoff's comments underscore the pressing need for effective governance and accountability within the library district, as the council considers upcoming appointments.