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Garfield County commissioners appoint Tony Hershey to Glenwood Springs seat on library board
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously March 10 to appoint Tony Hershey as the Glenwood Springs representative to the Garfield County Library Board after interviews and discussion about diversity of opinion and board dynamics.
Garfield County commissioners on March 10 appointed Tony Hershey to represent the Glenwood Springs area on the Garfield County Library Board.
The appointment followed interviews with several candidates and a short discussion among commissioners about what they wanted from the library board. Commissioner Will moved to appoint Hershey; Commissioner Sampson seconded the motion, and the board voted in favor.
Commissioners said they were seeking a member who would provide robust discussion and avoid “groupthink.” The county’s packet showed the library board’s internal ranking of applicants: the library board had placed Susan Hughes first and Tony Hershey second in its vote. Commissioners said their own assessment — including concerns about debate and diversity of viewpoints — led them to select Hershey.
Commissioner Will described his criteria for choosing a candidate, saying he wanted “diversity of opinion” and “a robust discussion” on the board. He told fellow commissioners he had gone back and forth on his order of preference but ultimately settled on Hershey because he expected Hershey to raise his views in public meetings and to help encourage discussion.
Commissioner Sampson echoed that view, saying he wanted a board member who would reflect community views and not defer to group consensus.
Library board records in the county packet show the library board’s internal tally: three votes for Susan Hughes and two for another candidate. Commissioners noted those internal board results during their discussion but said the county’s responsibility was to select the county representative for the Glenwood Springs seat.
The new appointment fills the library seat representing the Glenwood Springs area. The board chair said the county will notify Hershey of the appointment.
Background: Commissioners said the item followed several months of contentious public attention to the library’s policies and that the county wanted a trustee who would participate actively in board discussions. The board’s action was procedural; no change to library policy was approved at the meeting.
Votes at the meeting: The motion to appoint Tony Hershey passed on a voice vote of the commissioners present.
