Warsaw Library board appointee prevails despite county council criticisms
By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Kosciusko County Council sent a few not-so-subtle messages to the Warsaw Community Public Library after the library board earlier sought $17 million for major renovations.
Warsaw City Council rejected the $17 million bond in May, and on Thursday, County Council had a chance to weigh in as it considered reappointing library board member Jennifer Hicks to a third term.
Library leadership has been scrutinized over the renovation plan, which they say is needed to replace outdated mechanicals, while also renovating the buildings handicap access and the main entrance.
Some of those who spoke againthe plan on May 18 criticized the board for not having a maintenance plan in place for aging mechanicals.
County council’s dissatisfaction with the board became apparent a month ago when it delayed a vote in hopes of attracting other applicants (one person showed interest, but then withdrew).
Such appointments are normally drama-free, but county council on Thursday questioned Hicks on, among other things, whether she had any experience in renovation projects.
Moments later, Council applauded the Milford Library board for relying on reserve funds and being prepared for maintenance issues that were approved approval Thursday.
And at the end of the meeting, Council President Tony Ciriello reminded everyone that candidates seeking to be appointed by council should provide a resume to council ahead of time.
Ultimately, Hicks was reappointed by a 4-3 vote for a four-year term. Those supporting the reappointment were Ciriello, Will Stockdale, Kathy Groninger, and Kimberly Cates.
Councilman Joe Irwin, who opposed the appointment, along with Rachel Rhoades and Dave Wolkins, offered his thoughts to NewsNow Warsaw afterward.
“After everything that’s went on with the library, we felt that — I felt — that there needed to be a change … and if you listen to what Milford did, that’s exactly the type of change that I was looking for,” Irwin said.
As for the resume, Hicks, a schoolteacher who’s been on the library board for eight years, had little to say afterward other she provided a letter of intent to council that included her background.
Library Board Member Tim Keyes invited the public to learn more about library issues by attending its board meetings.
The library board meets next at 4 p.m. Monday.
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