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Public testifies against reappointment of two library trustees over labor concerns
Summary
Speakers at the Howard County Council hearing urged the council to reject or ask for withdrawal of reappointments to the Library Board of Trustees, accusing the board and administration of anti-union actions and poor treatment of library staff.
Several members of the public urged the Howard County Council to oppose the reappointment of Library Board trustees Philip Dodge and Kelly L. Smith (Council Resolution 133-2025 and related reappointments). Speakers said the trustees and library leadership had exhibited anti‑union behavior and had acted in ways that harmed library employees.
Nicole Dvorak testified she was “testifying tonight against … the reappointment of Philip Dodge … and the reappointment of Kelly Smith,” saying the library board and administration had pursued “aggressive anti-union and anti-public employee tactics.” Dvorak described her background working on library union negotiations in another jurisdiction and said Howard County library staff had recently ratified a contract but alleged that management reneged on negotiated raises and gave raises to staff not in the bargaining unit.
Another commenter, Chris Leiba, supported Dvorak’s call for scrutiny and raised a potential conflict, noting that Dodge works for a private partnership that is connected to parties interested in a library project and suggesting recusal on related votes.
Council members asked questions about where collective-bargaining discussions are recorded; Dvorak said such bargaining is generally discussed in closed session and therefore board minutes may not contain those deliberations but encouraged council members to press individual board members for their positions.
No final action was taken; reappointment resolutions remained on the docket for future consideration.
