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Public comments on library materials and commission changes proclamation process; chair proclaims Juneteenth
Summary
A Lansing resident criticized efforts to limit library materials and urged protection of diverse books; Commissioners discussed adding a public‑comment window and distributing proclamation language ahead of adoption. Chair Mike Smith formally declared June 19, 2025 as Juneteenth in Leavenworth County.
Public comment at the Leavenworth County Commission meeting included a Lansing resident urging the county to protect broad access to library materials. Terry Wojolevich, who identified herself as a Lansing resident, spoke about libraries as democratic spaces and said removing materials erases stories and harms inclusion. During a brief back‑and‑forth, commissioners asked about collection development policies and whether parental review for age‑appropriate materials applies; Wojolevich said libraries use collection development policies and that decisions about what a child checks out remain between parent and child.
Separately, the commission discussed its practice for proclamations and how to allow members of the public or individual commissioners an opportunity to comment before proclamations are read. Chair Mike Smith read a proclamation recognizing June 19, 1865 (Juneteenth) and declared June 19, 2025, Juneteenth in Leavenworth County. Commissioners debated whether to provide proclamation language to the board two weeks in advance, to include proclamation language in meeting packets and whether to include full proclamation text in minutes. County Administrator Mark Lowery said proclamation language is in the packet the week the commission approves it and can be provided in advance; commissioners agreed to start providing upcoming proclamations ahead of time and to consider including language in minutes when appropriate.
Commissioners discussed a separate example from a neighboring city where elected officials lacked a window to register objections before a proclamation was read; several commissioners favored a process that would provide time to review annual proclamations and the wording before presentation. The board did not adopt a formal policy at the meeting but agreed to have staff make proclamation language available before presentations and to permit commissioners to request removal of items from a standing annual proclamation list if they objected.
No formal policy vote occurred at the meeting.
