NDN Library Petition Article 11.29.06

By Matt Sheley/Daily News staff

A petition is circulating around Middletown to save longtime Library Director Robert L. Balliot's job.

With rumors swirling that Balliot will be fired Thursday night by the Middletown Public Library board of trustees, the one-page petition says such a step would be "unnecessarily tragic" for the West Main Road facility and the community itself.

In recent months, the two sides have butted heads over Balliot's claims that free speech has been stifled by some board members and politics are seeping too much into the daily operation of the library.

As word of his possible firing spread, numerous patrons reacted with shock and surprise, saying Balliot has been one of the best things to happen to the library.

"I fail to understand why the board of trustees can't solve its problems," resident Elizabeth Bozyan said, "If it came to it, I think he'd have a pretty good case against the town."

"He spoke at Oxford and helped the town solve its IT (information technology) problem, for Pete's sake," said resident Karen Roarke, a former councilwoman. "We have a library where we're doing it right and they want to get rid of him because of supposed insubordination? Well, if the board is doing things it shouldn't be doing, he should try any way possible to let them know. This whole situation is outrageous."

Daniel K. Kinder, the attorney representing the volunteer board, said Balliot's performance review is on the agenda for Thursday night's meeting, slated to start at 6 at the library, 700 West Main Road. Because it's a personnel matter, it's up to Balliot to decide whether that discussion will be public.

Asked if the board would fire Balliot as has been rumored, Kinder declined comment, citing personnel concerns. On Tuesday afternoon, Kinder said Balliot remained employed by the library, a position he has held since March, 1999.

During a September meeting, the board issued Balliot's review, giving him outstanding marks in 10 out of 11 categories. The one area of concern cited was how he deals with the board and others.

At that meeting and another the following month, Balliot and the board went back and forth - sometimes heatedly - critiquing each other's performance, although the trustees' full review of the library director was cut short after he sought advice from a lawyer.

During the session in October, at Balliot's suggestion, the board unanimously agreed that it needed to brush up on the laws and regulations overseeing the library, including those dealing with open meetings, public records and conflicts of interest.

Asked about the petition Tuesday, Balliot said he had heard about it, but hadn't seen it and wanted to steer clear of any discussion surrounding it.

Judy Tucker, a former chairwoman of the board, said while she would like to learn more about the situation, she found it difficult to believe Balliot might be fired.

"His knowledge on the electronic side and bringing the library up to the 21st century has been remarkable," Tucker said. "Sure, his people skills could use some work and sometimes he comes across the wrong way, but that's not anything that warrants dismissal.

"He did an excellent job in so many areas, and certainly from what I know, I would question this decision. Everyone worked darn hard to get the library to where it is and Robert was a big part of that."

Attempts to reach board chairman John W. Grisham were unsuccessful. Edward J. Silveira Jr., council liaison to the board, said he hadn't heard about the petition. As for Balliot's future with the library, Silveira said that's for the board of trustees to decide.

"It's all up to the board," Silveira said. "I'm there to serve as a go-between for the council and the board and I don't make those decisions."


	Newport Daily News online November 29, 2006

		Petition backs director of Middletown library By Matt Sheley/Daily News staff A petition is circulating around Middletown to save longtime Library Director Robert L. Balliot's job. With rumors swirling that Balliot will be fired Thursday night by the Middletown Public Library board of trustees, the one-page petition says such a step would be "unnecessarily tragic" for the West Main Road facility and the community itself. In recent months, the two sides have butted heads over Balliot's claims that free speech has been stifled by some board members and politics are seeping too much into the daily operation of the library. As word of his possible firing spread, numerous patrons reacted with shock and surprise, saying Balliot has been one of the best things to happen to the library. "I fail to understand why the board of trustees can't solve its problems," resident Elizabeth Bozyan said, "If it came to it, I think he'd have a pretty good case against the town." "He spoke at Oxford and helped the town solve its IT (information technology) problem, for Pete's sake," said resident Karen Roarke, a former councilwoman. "We have a library where we're doing it right and they want to get rid of him because of supposed insubordination? Well, if the board is doing things it shouldn't be doing, he should try any way possible to let them know. This whole situation is outrageous." Daniel K. Kinder, the attorney representing the volunteer board, said Balliot's performance review is on the agenda for Thursday night's meeting, slated to start at 6 at the library, 700 West Main Road. Because it's a personnel matter, it's up to Balliot to decide whether that discussion will be public. Asked if the board would fire Balliot as has been rumored, Kinder declined comment, citing personnel concerns. On Tuesday afternoon, Kinder said Balliot remained employed by the library, a position he has held since March, 1999. During a September meeting, the board issued Balliot's review, giving him outstanding marks in 10 out of 11 categories. The one area of concern cited was how he deals with the board and others. At that meeting and another the following month, Balliot and the board went back and forth - sometimes heatedly - critiquing each other's performance, although the trustees' full review of the library director was cut short after he sought advice from a lawyer. During the session in October, at Balliot's suggestion, the board unanimously agreed that it needed to brush up on the laws and regulations overseeing the library, including those dealing with open meetings, public records and conflicts of interest. Asked about the petition Tuesday, Balliot said he had heard about it, but hadn't seen it and wanted to steer clear of any discussion surrounding it. Judy Tucker, a former chairwoman of the board, said while she would like to learn more about the situation, she found it difficult to believe Balliot might be fired. "His knowledge on the electronic side and bringing the library up to the 21st century has been remarkable," Tucker said. "Sure, his people skills could use some work and sometimes he comes across the wrong way, but that's not anything that warrants dismissal. "He did an excellent job in so many areas, and certainly from what I know, I would question this decision. Everyone worked darn hard to get the library to where it is and Robert was a big part of that." Attempts to reach board chairman John W. Grisham were unsuccessful. Edward J. Silveira Jr., council liaison to the board, said he hadn't heard about the petition. As for Balliot's future with the library, Silveira said that's for the board of trustees to decide. "It's all up to the board," Silveira said. "I'm there to serve as a go-between for the council and the board and I don't make those decisions."