NDN/Middletown Library Director Resigns

Newport Daily News Online 12.01.06

By Matt Sheley/Daily News staff

Robert L. Balliot has resigned as director of the Middletown Public Library.

The library's board of trustees drove Balliot out over politics and pettiness, according to an angry audience of more than 50 people who attended Thursday night's four-hour-plus trustees meeting, most of which was closed to the public. Audience members said they were outraged at how things transpired.

Balliot, from the front seat of his silver Honda Civic and after a 21/2-hour meeting in executive session, said he couldn't talk about his resignation, other than to say "I'm done," "See ya" and "I can't comment on it."

After board of trustees Chairman John W. Grisham announced Balliot's resignation shortly after the closed-door portion of the meeting ended, Edward Wray called for fellow board members to step down along with Balliot. His motion was rejected, with Peter Van Steeden casting the only other vote in favor.

Even before Grisham announced Balliot's resignation, a petition among audience members calling for the resignation of the board of trustees was being circulated. Some in attendance even talked of showing up at Monday night's Town Council meeting to protest the library board and its actions.

Balliot, his attorney, Stephen Fanning, and Grisham declined comment on whether Balliot signed a buyout agreement to end his six-year tenure as head of the library. Assistant Library Director Barbara Camadeco will take over until a new director is hired.

"He left on his own volition," Grisham said. "He worked very hard for the library and it's going to be tough without him. He was a very bright and kind individual."

Grisham announced at the start of Thursday's meeting that the board was heading into executive session to talk about litigation issues, a discussion he said would take about 30 minutes.

Calling the move a stall tactic, audience members became increasingly upset as the board met privately for 21/2 hours, with attorneys for both sides acting as go-betweens.

About two hours into those talks, Balliot was seen walking to his car and loading a bunch of books and papers into his vehicle, before returning to the library.

Other than to say the trustees apologize for the length of the executive session and that the group has fences to mend with the community, Grisham and other board members declined comment on Balliot's decision.

"I can't understand how some people who didn't even have a library card when they were appointed can force him out," said Gail Greenwood, founder of the grassroots organization Middletown First. "Why don't they just have the whole meeting in executive session. It's the ugliest thing I've ever seen."

Balliot and some board members have sparred the past few months over several issues, including a request the board made to take down a link to a Middletown First Web forum. Balliot also had said most of the trustees lack a fundamental understanding of open meetings law, and how to properly record minutes and administer their budget.

While saying Balliot can be argumentative and difficult to work with, the trustees unanimously agreed that they needed to brush up on the rules and laws that govern a library. In fact, board of trustees members gave Balliot outstanding marks in his recent review. They said the lone area that needed work was his relationship with the board.

Jim Teliha, a board member of the Intellectual Freedom Committee, an arm of the American Library Association, said there was much to be concerned about after witnessing Thursday night's actions. Not only did the board seem to be restricting free speech, Teliha said, but it also seemed to lack a basic understanding of open meetings rules.

"I'm still trying to wrap my head around it, but it seems to me that Robert has a really good case should he decide to pursue it," Teliha said.

"That was absolutely horrifying," said Christopher LaRoux, president-elect of the Rhode Island Library Association. "Their use of executive session and how they announce their votes was certainly one of the more interesting examples I've ever seen."

Former Town Council candidate Antone C. Viveiros said he was so disgusted that he planned on filing a complaint with the attorney general's office.

"What they did was sleazy," Viveiros said. "Just gutter politics. It was disgusting."

The three councilwomen in attendance - Barbara A. Barrow, Vice President Shirley R. Mello and M. Theresa Santos - said how the council would respond depended, in large part, on how the community responds.

Wray said after the meeting that he couldn't comment about whether Balliot was forced out or signed an agreement that necessitated his departure. He did, however, have high praise for Balliot's service to the town.

"I'm going to miss him," Wray said. "He was a wonderful guy, and I think tonight sort of speaks for itself."

Grisham said the search for a new director would start immediately.

As for rumors that the trustees already have promised the position to a former board member, Grisham said that was not the case.

"That's the first I've heard of it," Grisham said. "We're going to go through the proper procedure to find the best person for the library."


	Newport Daily News Online 12.01.06 Middletown library director is out By Matt Sheley/Daily News staff Robert L. Balliot has resigned as director of the Middletown Public Library. The library's board of trustees drove Balliot out over politics and pettiness, according to an angry audience of more than 50 people who attended Thursday night's four-hour-plus trustees meeting, most of which was closed to the public. Audience members said they were outraged at how things transpired. Balliot, from the front seat of his silver Honda Civic and after a 21/2-hour meeting in executive session, said he couldn't talk about his resignation, other than to say "I'm done," "See ya" and "I can't comment on it." After board of trustees Chairman John W. Grisham announced Balliot's resignation shortly after the closed-door portion of the meeting ended, Edward Wray called for fellow board members to step down along with Balliot. His motion was rejected, with Peter Van Steeden casting the only other vote in favor. Even before Grisham announced Balliot's resignation, a petition among audience members calling for the resignation of the board of trustees was being circulated. Some in attendance even talked of showing up at Monday night's Town Council meeting to protest the library board and its actions. Balliot, his attorney, Stephen Fanning, and Grisham declined comment on whether Balliot signed a buyout agreement to end his six-year tenure as head of the library. Assistant Library Director Barbara Camadeco will take over until a new director is hired. "He left on his own volition," Grisham said. "He worked very hard for the library and it's going to be tough without him. He was a very bright and kind individual." Grisham announced at the start of Thursday's meeting that the board was heading into executive session to talk about litigation issues, a discussion he said would take about 30 minutes. Calling the move a stall tactic, audience members became increasingly upset as the board met privately for 21/2 hours, with attorneys for both sides acting as go-betweens. About two hours into those talks, Balliot was seen walking to his car and loading a bunch of books and papers into his vehicle, before returning to the library. Other than to say the trustees apologize for the length of the executive session and that the group has fences to mend with the community, Grisham and other board members declined comment on Balliot's decision. "I can't understand how some people who didn't even have a library card when they were appointed can force him out," said Gail Greenwood, founder of the grassroots organization Middletown First. "Why don't they just have the whole meeting in executive session. It's the ugliest thing I've ever seen." Balliot and some board members have sparred the past few months over several issues, including a request the board made to take down a link to a Middletown First Web forum. Balliot also had said most of the trustees lack a fundamental understanding of open meetings law, and how to properly record minutes and administer their budget. While saying Balliot can be argumentative and difficult to work with, the trustees unanimously agreed that they needed to brush up on the rules and laws that govern a library. In fact, board of trustees members gave Balliot outstanding marks in his recent review. They said the lone area that needed work was his relationship with the board. Jim Teliha, a board member of the Intellectual Freedom Committee, an arm of the American Library Association, said there was much to be concerned about after witnessing Thursday night's actions. Not only did the board seem to be restricting free speech, Teliha said, but it also seemed to lack a basic understanding of open meetings rules. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around it, but it seems to me that Robert has a really good case should he decide to pursue it," Teliha said. "That was absolutely horrifying," said Christopher LaRoux, president-elect of the Rhode Island Library Association. "Their use of executive session and how they announce their votes was certainly one of the more interesting examples I've ever seen." Former Town Council candidate Antone C. Viveiros said he was so disgusted that he planned on filing a complaint with the attorney general's office. "What they did was sleazy," Viveiros said. "Just gutter politics. It was disgusting." The three councilwomen in attendance - Barbara A. Barrow, Vice President Shirley R. Mello and M. Theresa Santos - said how the council would respond depended, in large part, on how the community responds. Wray said after the meeting that he couldn't comment about whether Balliot was forced out or signed an agreement that necessitated his departure. He did, however, have high praise for Balliot's service to the town. "I'm going to miss him," Wray said. "He was a wonderful guy, and I think tonight sort of speaks for itself." Grisham said the search for a new director would start immediately. As for rumors that the trustees already have promised the position to a former board member, Grisham said that was not the case. "That's the first I've heard of it," Grisham said. "We're going to go through the proper procedure to find the best person for the library."