In Farmington and Farmington Hills, people love the library.
So, as the library continues to attract controversy, Farmington officials appointed two women to the board hoping they can help stabilize the distrust between the board and the public.
Megan Stryd and Michele Kelly were both unanimously installed to the board Aug. 17 by members of the Farmington City Council. They're joining a board facing public backlash from a decisions to furlough staff in April in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as controversial rhetoric from the board's Vice President, Bill Largent.
Officials hope a full board, made of four Farmington residents and four Farmington Hills resident, will help the library move forward. Farmington Hills, however, currently has one vacant seat.
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"I think having a full board is really important," Councilman Steve Schneemann said. "You know, we'll continue to monitor the library board and the decisions they make as much as we can as a council. But, I think it's our duty and obligation to make these appointments."
Stryd, a homeschooling parent, was chosen because officials said her homeschooling expertise will help the library as it helps the community navigate Farmington's remote start to the fall semester. She will serve through June 30, 2023.
"I know as being homeschooled myself in my earlier years, this is a perspective which can be very insightful ... especially when so many people are now homeschooling their kids or doing virtual school during the pandemic," Councilwoman Maria Taylor said. "I think she has a lot to bring."
Council members thought Kelly, the dean of liberal arts and sciences at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, would make a good board member because of her administrative experience and service on other boards like those for the Michigan Philharmonic and the Macomb County Art Authority. Kelly will serve through June 30, 2022.
"She's somebody that absolutely understands what the board's role is," Mayor Sara Bowman said. "I think she brings experience from that aspect."
Walking into turbulent public office
Farmington Pro Tem Joe LaRussa said he was hesitant to fill both of Farmington's openings because the library board's meetings of late are often dominated by public comment. At the board's Thursday, Aug. 13 meeting, public comment continued for about two hours.
As more staff, about 80%, have been invited back to work after the April furloughs, some residents still take issue with Largent, a Farmington Hills appointee. Largent has been called out for what critics say is an authoritative view of the board's role and a condescending reaction to library staff and resident concerns.
"This toxic environment is obviously unacceptable," Jessica Bomarito, who recently resigned from the board, said during public comment on Aug. 13. "Like others tonight, I ask the members of this board to speak out against Bill's email and call for his resignation publicly."
Recently, the vice president has come under fire for sending an email of "talking points" to local political figures including Farmington Councilman and Ken Massey, former Farmington Hills Councilman Richard Lerner, Farmington Hills Councilwoman Valerie Knol and former Farmington Councilman Bill Galvin.
"In my 45 years in business and community activity, I have never witnessed a group of more self-centered, self-absorbed, ignorant and offensive (library) workers," part of the email reads.
Largent said he regrets generally referencing "staff" in the email and said he was not speaking about every library employee. He said "a lot of good" goes on "behind the scenes" he wishes people knew more about.
"All people know is the library is not open and they can't get everything they'd like to get as quickly as they can," he said. "We're working to remedy that ... All that's being seen is this controversy about my recall. I have no intention of resigning."
An online petition for Largent's resignation has more than 1,200 signatures, but he would have to be removed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer if he is to leave before his term ends. His current term continues until Feb. 1, 2022.
"There was animosity, there was hostility, and I will note there were especially insulting remarks made about the library staff, which by and large is female," Farmington Hills resident Kelly Goldberg said of Largent's email on Aug. 13. "As a middle-aged female, I was especially offended on behalf of the staff and other patrons."
Though the board's relationship with the community may be daunting, Stryd and Kelly both said they love the library and hope to help it move forward despite the controversy.
“My motivation is how I can be an active participant in moving to a library of the future for Farmington,” Kelly said during her interview. “But, it’s a little scary.”
Contact reporter Shelby Tankersley at stankersle@hometownlife.com or 248-305-0448. Follow her on Twitter @shelby_tankk.
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