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Public commenter questions library materials and countyredistricting consultant Haystack's political ties
Summary
A public commenter questioned the value of certain books in school and public libraries and raised concern about the county paying $71,000 to a redistricting consultant she associated with national political campaigns.
A public commenter criticized several books available in local school and public libraries and raised concerns about a redistricting consultant the county hired.
Charlotte O'Hara told the board she could not read excerpts from certain books during public comment because of the meeting's profanity rules, and asked, "Of what value are these books to our children that they are available to them in our public libraries and our schools?" O'Hara said she believes the issue speaks to local values and accountability.
O'Hara also raised the county's use of a redistricting consultant, saying the county paid about $71,000 including expenses and noting the consultant's website claims to have "pioneered the use of predictive analytics in political campaigns" and worked on campaigns for Sen. Bernie Sanders and President Barack Obama. She asked whether political ties of an outside consultant should concern residents.
These statements were made during the public-comment portion of the Aug. 7 meeting. The transcript records O'Hara's remarks as comments and opinion; the board did not take action on library collections or on past consultant hiring during that meeting segment.
Notes: Statements are attributed to the public commenter; the transcript identifies the consultant name as "Haystack" and the dollar figure mentioned as $71,000 including expenses.
