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Alpena County library appointments draw more than a dozen speakers, split public comment
Summary
Alpena County commissioners received extended public comment on library board appointments and book challenges; speakers voiced sharply divided views about nominees, allegations of harassment, and past millage votes before the board approved the consent calendar that included the appointments.
Dozens of residents addressed the Alpena County Board of Commissioners during the public-comment period to urge opposing outcomes on two library board appointments and to criticize or defend the library's handling of contested books and recent millage votes.
Speakers on multiple sides framed the issue as either a defense of intellectual freedom and library staff or as a concern over specific library materials and staff conduct. Doris Faiz, representing the League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan, said, “The League supports full service public library systems. Public libraries should support our First Amendment right to intellectual freedom and expression.” Elaine Stenger told commissioners, “Your vote tells us if you…
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