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Hundreds of residents debate library rules, council OKs complaints over possible PAC donations
Summary
More than 90 residents spoke at a packed Huntington Beach City Council meeting on May 6 over two charter measures about library oversight; the council approved a referral to state and federal authorities to review suspected campaign finance and charitable-law transfers tied to library-related groups.
Huntington Beach, Calif. — Hundreds of residents packed the Central Library auditorium on May 6 to urge the City Council to either support or oppose two June ballot measures that would change how the city’s public libraries are governed.
The debate focused on Measure A, which would give parents the right to limit what materials their children can check out, and Measure B, which would require voter approval before the city could outsource library management. Public comments ran more than three hours and included parents, librarians, teachers and former elected officials who alternately described the books in question as dangerous or age-appropriate.
The measures drew sharply divergent testimony. Supporters described the initiatives as restoring parental control and protecting children. Opponents called the campaign language misleading and said the library’s professional staff already use age-based policies and safeguards. Several speakers urged the council not to politicize the library and warned about the cost of a special election.
City Counci…
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