Missaukee Seeks Michigan
Governor’s Help in Board Issue
The Missaukee (Mich.) County Commissioners voted 6–3 June 12 to ask Gov. John Engler to conduct an inquiry into the controversy surrounding the March 15 firing of Director Kathy Glass by the Missaukee District Library board.
In April, a petition with the signatures of more than 800 residents requesting the resignation or removal of library board members was presented to the commissioners. However, when board members refused to resign, it was revealed that—according to the state’s District Library Establishment Act—the only person with the authority to remove them is the governor, the Cadillac News reported June 13.
The three commissioners who voted against the motion expressed concern about what it might mean in the future if other county-appointed boards took actions that made the public unhappy. Commissioner Rex Harley commented, “It’s a local issue and should be reconciled locally.”
Some commissioners who voted in favor of the motion emphasized that asking the governor to investigate didn’t mean they believed either the board or the director were wrong. “I’m not voting to remove them. I’m not voting to approve them,” said Chairman Gary Birgy.
Posted June 25, 2001.
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