NDN Midd T.C. Urges Library Board to Resign

Newport Daily News online 12/5/06

By Matt Sheley/Daily News staff

Town Council President Paul M. Rodrigues on Monday night called on the board of trustees of the Middletown Public Library to resign.

To the jubilant applause of a standing-room-only crowd at Town Hall, Rodrigues said such a move would be the only way normalcy could be restored at the library on West Main Road. Last Thursday, Library Director Robert L. Balliot resigned from the post he had held since March 1999, amid claims from supporters that he was being forced out by the library board.

Rodrigues called the volunteer board's handling of differences with Balliot "out of control," and the rest of the council agreed - except for Edward J. Silveira Jr., who served as the council's liaison to the library board. He was replaced in that position Monday night.

Because of local and state regulations governing library trustees, Town Solicitor Francis S. Holbrook II said the Town Council does not have the authority to require the board to step down, but certainly could suggest its members do so.

"If we appoint people to do a job and there's no accountability, where's the justice?" said resident Maggie Bulmer, one of more than 10 people who spoke on the matter.

Residents who support Balliot said his resignation was driven by politics. They said they found itcurious that the trustees had given Balliot high marks in his performance review in late October. That document indicated Balliot exceeded expectations in 10 out of 11 areas, but needed work on his interpersonal skills.

During the meeting last week, more than 50 library patrons expressed their outrage, saying the trustees were driving away one of the best things the town had going for it, simply because Balliot was trying to do what he thought was right.

Those patrons said they were especially troubled with some of the board's actions against Balliot, including insisting he take down a link to a grass-root group's Web site that was critical of some town leaders, saying it was a move to restrict free speech.

In response, library board Chairman John W. Grisham said last week that Balliot, whom he called a valuable asset who would be missed, left of his own volition. Assistant Library Director Barbara Camadeco was appointed to take over until a new director is hired.

On Monday night, Silveira addressed critics of the trustees publicly for the first time, reiterating the position that some of the content on the Middletown First Web site was not suited for the library's homepage.

While the site provided some useful information, Silveira said, other aspects commenting on the local political scene meant it should be included in another section of the library's Web site devoted to similar items.

At the same time, Silveira said the entire situation had "run amok, I will admit that."

Silveira said he couldn't comment on what took place when the board of trustees met Thursday for more than two hours behind closed doors, because that would violate the rules governing executive sessions.

In response to a question from an audience member, Silveira said as council liaison, he kept the council informed about the recent goings-on with the library board - a point contested by Rodrigues and others.

"I never received any type of an update," Rodrigues said. "Neither did other Town Council members."

About five minutes later, Councilwoman Barbara A. Barrow was named to replace Silveira as the council liaison to the library board.

None of the library board members were in attendance and no one spoke on the group's behalf. There were plenty of questions and comments about the trustees, however.

"I've been in the town over 65 years and I can't believe the way we were treated Thursday night," resident Manuel J. Mello said.

"It seems like they're spending a lot of our money on attorneys' fees ..." resident Antone C. Viveiros said. "I wish Mr. Grisham was here so we could ask him."

"Who would ever apply for this job in this current structure unless they were desperate?" resident Jean MacCormick asked. "We don't want someone who's desperate."


	Middletown library's trustees are urged to resign Newport Daily News online 12/5/06 By Matt Sheley/Daily News staff Town Council President Paul M. Rodrigues on Monday night called on the board of trustees of the Middletown Public Library to resign. To the jubilant applause of a standing-room-only crowd at Town Hall, Rodrigues said such a move would be the only way normalcy could be restored at the library on West Main Road. Last Thursday, Library Director Robert L. Balliot resigned from the post he had held since March 1999, amid claims from supporters that he was being forced out by the library board. Rodrigues called the volunteer board's handling of differences with Balliot "out of control," and the rest of the council agreed - except for Edward J. Silveira Jr., who served as the council's liaison to the library board. He was replaced in that position Monday night. Because of local and state regulations governing library trustees, Town Solicitor Francis S. Holbrook II said the Town Council does not have the authority to require the board to step down, but certainly could suggest its members do so. "If we appoint people to do a job and there's no accountability, where's the justice?" said resident Maggie Bulmer, one of more than 10 people who spoke on the matter. Residents who support Balliot said his resignation was driven by politics. They said they found itcurious that the trustees had given Balliot high marks in his performance review in late October. That document indicated Balliot exceeded expectations in 10 out of 11 areas, but needed work on his interpersonal skills. During the meeting last week, more than 50 library patrons expressed their outrage, saying the trustees were driving away one of the best things the town had going for it, simply because Balliot was trying to do what he thought was right. Those patrons said they were especially troubled with some of the board's actions against Balliot, including insisting he take down a link to a grass-root group's Web site that was critical of some town leaders, saying it was a move to restrict free speech. In response, library board Chairman John W. Grisham said last week that Balliot, whom he called a valuable asset who would be missed, left of his own volition. Assistant Library Director Barbara Camadeco was appointed to take over until a new director is hired. On Monday night, Silveira addressed critics of the trustees publicly for the first time, reiterating the position that some of the content on the Middletown First Web site was not suited for the library's homepage. While the site provided some useful information, Silveira said, other aspects commenting on the local political scene meant it should be included in another section of the library's Web site devoted to similar items. At the same time, Silveira said the entire situation had "run amok, I will admit that." Silveira said he couldn't comment on what took place when the board of trustees met Thursday for more than two hours behind closed doors, because that would violate the rules governing executive sessions. In response to a question from an audience member, Silveira said as council liaison, he kept the council informed about the recent goings-on with the library board - a point contested by Rodrigues and others. "I never received any type of an update," Rodrigues said. "Neither did other Town Council members." About five minutes later, Councilwoman Barbara A. Barrow was named to replace Silveira as the council liaison to the library board. None of the library board members were in attendance and no one spoke on the group's behalf. There were plenty of questions and comments about the trustees, however. "I've been in the town over 65 years and I can't believe the way we were treated Thursday night," resident Manuel J. Mello said. "It seems like they're spending a lot of our money on attorneys' fees ..." resident Antone C. Viveiros said. "I wish Mr. Grisham was here so we could ask him." "Who would ever apply for this job in this current structure unless they were desperate?" resident Jean MacCormick asked. "We don't want someone who's desperate."