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Residents criticize Lapeer District Library board; public reader attributes strategic email to commissioner
Summary
Public commenters at the Lapeer County commission meeting accused the Lapeer District Library Board of repeatedly canceling meetings and failing to hire a director; an attendee read aloud an email they said was from Commissioner Kevin Nisley urging a strategy to influence board nominations.
Public criticism of the Lapeer District Library Board and allegations of behind-the-scenes political strategy were raised during the commission's second public comment period.
Susan Huff of Metamora Township told commissioners the library board had canceled multiple meetings this year, failed for 10 months to hire a director and was harming patrons as a result. "The library board is a disgrace and a failure," Huff said, urging the commission to act.
Margaret Tompkins of Lapeer Township made similar points, saying canceled meetings and a lack of public contact information hinder accountability and asking the commission to check appointment follow-through. Both speakers addressed the commission during the official public-comment period.
Another attendee read aloud an email the reader said came from Commissioner Kevin Nisley dated Oct. 23, 2025. The reader quoted the note as saying local supporters should not allow a perceived left-leaning candidate to prevail and suggesting a conservative candidate be advanced to preserve influence; the reader quoted phrases including 'the lefty nut jobs are already on the move.' The commission did not record a formal denial, correction or attachment of the email in the meeting record.
The commission acknowledged the public comments but did not take immediate action on the library governance claims at the meeting. Chairman Howell and other commissioners encouraged dialog and noted their doors are open for constituents to raise concerns, but no formal agenda item addressing the library board was added that day.
The meeting record shows that several library appointments are managed by the county commission and that commissioners said they will continue to consider candidates and vacancies. The transcript does not show the commission verifying the email’s provenance or whether the office of Commissioner Nisley provided a response during the session.
The commission’s actions at the meeting focused on approvals of motions and appointments elsewhere on the agenda; the library concerns were raised in public comment and remain a matter for further follow-up or formal agenda consideration.
