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Citrus County Special Library District appoints five members to Library Advisory Board after wide public comment
Summary
After an extended public comment period in which residents urged both conservative and nonpartisan approaches, the Citrus County Special Library District nominated and unanimously approved five members for the Library Advisory Board and heard a library-services update from the director.
The Citrus County Special Library District voted unanimously to appoint five members to its Library Advisory Board following a lengthy public-comment period in which speakers urged the board to prioritize either conservative nominees or qualified, nonpartisan volunteers.
During open comment, residents offered sharply different recommendations for the advisory board. Rick Matherson of Hernando urged the board to reappoint Elaine Clyde and Lenora Nelson and to retain county oversight of the library advisory board. Multiple speakers, including Ray Brown and Eric Ball, expressed concern about material in library collections and urged appointment of candidates they described as "common sense" conservatives.
Other residents and applicants urged the board to select members with library experience and to avoid turning libraries into political battlegrounds. Robin Orlandi, who attends most advisory-board meetings, asked commissioners to "select candidates that don't come with an agenda" and highlighted the value of volunteers and library users as appointees. Several applicants, including Bob Bramlett and Gordon Meyer, outlined volunteer and professional experience and described plans to increase early-literacy outreach.
On the dais, commissioners debated nominations. After discussion and multiple nominations, Commissioner Bays moved to nominate Robert Bramlett, Lenora Nelson, Edith Ramlo, James Perrotta and Terry Morrison; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Kennard and carried 7-0.
The board did not vote on any policy changes at the meeting. Commissioners emphasized filling five open advisory-board seats and encouraged those not selected to continue volunteering.
The meeting closed after a presentation from the Library Services Director and routine board business; the commission adjourned at about 10:17 a.m.
