What happens when government holds a meeting and nobody comes?
Pertinent matters were set to be discussed at the July Carnegie Public Library board meeting Tuesday night, but a quorum was not established.
The meetings are on Zoom, but only four of the 10 board members were present. Chairperson Shelia Winters and board members LaFiesta Roland, Joyce Hill and Rita Hanfor were all present.
Winters recognized the lack of quorum after attendance was taken.
“With that being said, we have to postpone this meeting until a later date,” Winters explained.
Board attorney Ted Connell, accountant Dena Upchurch and interim director Mary Caradine were all on the call.
Caradine has been the interim director since Floyd Council resigned in April. Council held the position for three months.
Janet Coursin, an independent consultant who was contracted to be the bookkeeper when Sarah Ruskey was executive director of the library, was also on the call.
Connell said the meeting should be rescheduled as soon as possible while giving board members and the community proper notice.
“Some pressing issues need to be discussed,” Connell said.
Winters expressed regret the meeting could not take place Tuesday night.
“We apologize, but this meeting is adjourned,” Winters said.
The Carnegie Public Library board became the center of attention after Council left.
Allegations of improper board management arose this spring.
Carnegie Public Library board members were formally asked not to direct or question library employees about day-to-day operations unless there is an evident emergency in June.
The vote was aimed at providing distance between board members who might have micro-managed and intimidated library employees in the past.
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