Commissioner offers letter condemning 'desired outcomes' language from TRL; board considering response

Commissioner Carr told colleagues June 23 she drafted a letter to fellow county commissioners in the Timberland Regional Library (TRL) system condemning language in a recently circulated list of “desired outcomes” from the TRL Board president, which she described as inappropriate and homophobic.

Carr said she was keeping the draft narrowly focused on the language in the desired‑outcomes document and not on broader TRL budget debates. “It was a very inappropriate and frankly a homophobic list of desired outcomes,” she said, presenting the draft and asking whether the board wished to sign on or provide feedback.

Several commissioners said they had been in contact with other county chairs and trustees, described receiving many emails about TRL issues, and suggested options including a coordinated county statement, additional oversight requests, or an executive session to discuss cross‑county alignment and requests to the TRL board. Commissioners discussed concerns about recruitment and governance, bylaw changes (including adding a labor representative), and timelines for financial auditing and hiring a permanent director.

Commissioner Carr said she planned to issue the letter herself if the board did not want to formally adopt it; board members agreed to consider revisions and discuss the item at an upcoming meeting. Several commissioners emphasized the value of county coordination to influence TRL governance decisions and to ask for clear timelines on auditing and leadership recruitment.

Next steps identified by commissioners included reviewing the draft, receiving feedback at the next meeting, and continuing intercounty coordination about TRL governance and bylaw changes.