Leaving FLR just doesn’t make sense
Brad Waldrop.
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Citizens and constituents of Sylva, I’d like to offer you an apology. In fact, I owe you two.
All Sylva residents are also Jackson County constituents — Sylva is the county seat, and county-level decisions affect us directly. The Jackson County Public Library is a clear example.
Sylva has one appointment to the Jackson County Public Library Advisory Board, which must be filled by a town commissioner. Recently, the Sylva Town Board unanimously appointed me to this role. Since then, only one official board meeting has taken place, which I attended, but I’ve spent many hours meeting with fellow board members, local citizens, library staff and the director of both the Jackson County and Fontana Regional Library (FRL) systems. I’ve researched relevant legal and ethical issues — especially regarding First Amendment protections and attended or watched county commissioner meetings, as many of you have.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve invested as much time in this issue as I have in my business and family because I believe, as you do, that our library is a true gem. People from across the country and beyond visit and praise it, often calling it “wonderful.” As your representative on the library board, I’d like to provide a clear, transparent summary of what’s happening.
The proposal to leave the Fontana Regional Library system rests on two claims made by county commissioners:
- The presence of “inappropriate” materials and displays.
- The belief that the county could run the library more affordably and efficiently outside the FRL.
I believe the commissioners have a responsibility to answer two fundamental questions:
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- Which books, materials or displays are considered inappropriate, and why?
- What evidence supports the claim that the library can be better or more affordably managed outside the FRL?
I’ve asked a commissioner — who also sits on the advisory board — these questions multiple times. He has refused to answer. In publicly available emails, he suggested I look online for lists being circulated of “inappropriate” books. When I clarified that I wanted specifics directly from him, he stopped responding. Regarding financial feasibility, he admitted he couldn’t provide supporting data because he’s still “gathering” it.
So far, the rationale appears to be:
- There are inappropriate books — but they won’t name them or explain why.
- The library could be cheaper to run independently — but they have no data to support that.
Meanwhile, the county manager has advised Jackson County commissioners that leaving the FRL would cost taxpayers at least $500,000 more per year. Other estimates are even higher and don’t include the large one-time transition costs. Logistics of the transition are often brushed off with vague comments like, “we’ll figure it out.”
Here’s my report to you: Leaving the FRL will not save money — it will cost significantly more. The county is considering spending at least $5 million over the next decade to run a less effective library system, based on unspecified, possibly imaginary materials that can’t be legally censored. And those advocating for this change lack experience in running a library. They plan to “figure it out” later.
As Sylva residents, you are Jackson County taxpayers. This is your money. At the very least, you deserve honest answers. I’ve been trying to get them for you, and I’m sorry I haven’t succeeded yet. I will keep trying.
Now for the second apology.
At our June 12 Sylva Town Board meeting, we were scheduled to discuss and vote on a resolution supporting Jackson County’s continued participation in the FRL. I support such a resolution because I don’t believe taxpayers should spend at least $5 million more for a weaker library system — especially without clear justification. As a town with a direct appointment to the library board, we have a duty to represent your interests.
However, three members of the Sylva Town Board unexpectedly motioned to remove even discussion of the resolution from our agenda. Their justification: since we’re not the final decision-makers, we shouldn’t weigh in. So while your money may be used for an unjustified, costly downgrade, we shouldn’t even discuss taking a stand.
I strongly disagree. I was appointed to represent you on this issue. I wasn’t consulted about the agenda change, despite arguably having the most insight on the topic. The vote to remove the item from our agenda blindsided me. It feels like an attempt to silence our voice — your voice.
This was a failure of leadership. We had a chance to represent your interests and chose not to act. In fact, we chose not to even talk about it. I apologize for that. I will continue working for transparency and accountability on this issue, and I will not remain silent. You deserve better.
