Libraries Surge in Tough Times

The Boston Globe reports on increasing library usage during tough times. Go figure. Services like these are often the first cut. What are R.I. & local stats? I really don't know but I'll ask.


The recent closing of libraryies has often been a topic of concern at http://neverdied.blogspot.com/ & http://www.rifuture.com/. The current crisis in Prov. is documented by Projo.


Libraries- the best bang for the buck in your community.


Thanks to reporter Keith O'Brien. Via http://www.buzzflash.com/

No Fines this Month at MPL

Some correction is necessary here. The amount of cans you donate depends on the fine- 1 can for $1.00 or less, 2 cans for $2.00 or less, et al. Jeeesh! How about a can an item? Or even no fines w/suggested food donation for those who would like to do so. The library doesn't get the $ anyway- it goes into the general fund. We have some really low income families living here. While a nickel a day fine doesn't sound like much for most, to some it does. Youu'd be surprised at the old items that would show up.

During the month of June you can escape book fines by donating a canned good for each overdue item. I'll be there today with my goods (me- an overdue book- perish the thought!)!
A generous move on the part of the Middletown Library & the Board. Shelters/kitchens are in need of these items year round. Help feed your fellow islanders by donating even if your books are on time!

Middletown Council Meets Tues., 9/4/07

The scheduled meeting Sept. 17 is replaced by this meeting and the Recycling Meeting on 9/5/2007 - POSTPONED until ? Those neighbors on the Forest Ave. blog waiting for the traffic report will have to wait until Oct. They should request the planned planned presentation date is & request report copies.
What is on the agenda is ---- TRASH!
This is the site of the recent report "Solid Waste & Recycling Program Analysis" for Portsmouth/Middletown prepared for the Aquid. Island Planning Commission. This report recommends the Payt program as a short-term solution. It does have concerns about households being able to store 3 container bins. Hey, they should look inside my kitchen area. Where on earth am I supposed to store my inside daily trash in 3 bins??? And, if you don't, you'd be better off with a private hauler.
I hear more & more complaints about the logistics of the program and the availablity/cost of bags. People want the same system that Newport has. The comments I hear believe that this should be a basic component of paying taxes here. Me, too. This discussion won't show up until the second part of the meeting. This is the time to show & voice your opinion. While much talk has been made of the need for recycling (which brings haulers & the State a LOT of money), one might also make the argument that the State should be doing more at the landfill to use technologies that convert trash into power. Since any $ the State uses for recycling goes into the General Fund, the argument could be made that this is, in effect, another tax (sigh).
The Newport Co. Visitors Bureau is asking for 3 appointments. A lot of attention should be placed to consideration of these individuals. This group has a LOT of our money to spend. There are also appointments to the Library Board. Sadly, only two applied for the two openings. I've blogged before about how serious consideration to taking this board & the library itself out of the town's responsibility & running them independently as non-profits (like Newport & Portsmouth do). The same with the Senior Center who is asking for capital funds outside of their budget. I still pose the question on membership there with verifying data. We spend far more than any other community.

Middletown Library Brouhaha Over!

**UPDATE**Here is the "Daily News" article link. Here is the Projo link. Meaghan Wims at Projo writes, "John W. Grisham, chairman of the board of trustees, said in an e-mail to The Journal this week, 'We are very pleased with the AG’s findings and to be able to move forward from this. In the end, reason, common sense and the rule of law prevailed, for which we are thankful.'”

There was actually only one complaint filed with two issues. Again, I was told that the person spreading the rumor that I was set up to take over the Director's job as a reward for running for State Senate was - the Director.

The question was also put to me how people could buy into this rumor (though actually knowing who originated it & its content, the rumor becomes a LIE). You take a kernel of truth - I was a librarian & didn't have a job (retired) - then add in a person telling you this that you trust. And that's how that story went.

I wish someone had actually just asked me. I'm a straight shooter - what you see is what you get. I think the fact that I burst into laughter the first time I heard it pretty much sums up my thoughts on this. No, I'm not expecting any apologies and I doubt that the Library Trustees (or their former Council rep) are either. Still, it would be nice.

Attorney General throws out all charges

Definition of brouhaha: a confused disturbance far greater than its cause merits.

This brouhaha centered around the Library Trustees insisting on improved job performance with specific guidelines for the library Director. The Director then refused this requirement & ended up with a job buyout & resigning. These events were played up in gossip mode during the past election & with the reports of "Projo" and most esp. the "Daily News." In the burgeoning media circus, the Trustees themselves were handicapped by personnel confidentiality regs in releasing information. The Council then added even more fuel to the fire by calling for the resignation of all the Trustees.

Two complaints were filed against the Trustees by residents. One concerned the wording of postings & the other e-mails sent by Trustees. Both were debunked. Both were dismissed with "no merit." Notice of the second charge being thrown out was rec'd Mon. Wonder if the newspapers will print this?

The Middletown Democratic Town Committee was held responsible for all kinds of skullduggery when in fact the Committee never even discussed the topic. In fact, if you were to ask the former Chair about this episode, I reckon (he is a former Southerner) he'd pretty much give you a blank stare with a question mark above his head. But still, if you repeat an untruth often enough...

"No merit." That's what the Att'ny Gen'l said - TWICE. One might ask who was responsible for spreading all the rumors & WHY. The former Director who seemingly would have the most to lose, hoped to gain exactly what? And this was the only/best way to do it?

Recently a new Director was appointed - with a written contract & job specs. In the end all the verbiage about federal & state laws being flouted were all so much air in a now-deflated balloon.

But a Representative who no longer lives in his district is of little/no concern (ironically, the library is IN his district).

One might continue to ask the who's and why's for all of this. The truth is often buried in quips, repeated charges & phrases, and short sound/print bites. Sound familiar?

Once again, I applaud the Library Trustees & the former Council rep, Councilman Ed "The White Knight" Silveira, who did their job. That's it. They just did their job.

Now maybe we can attempt to solve problems of pollution, funding problems, & affordable housing, etc.

Middletown Library Director Appointed

Last night the Middltown Public Library Board of Trustees appointed a new Director. Thank you to the candidates who applied. I'm sure that it was a difficult choice. Thanks to all the dedicated trustees who persevered & did their job despite the slings & arrows of outrageous fortune aimed at them. They deserved better and I applaud them.



The name of the new director is James Knowlton. He will be starting at the end of July.


News Release

For Release Upon Receipt
July 9, 2007
Contact: John W. Grisham
Tel: (401) 273-8200


The Middletown Public Library Board of Trustees Monday night named James K. Knowlton as its new Library Director. Mr. Knowlton, a current resident of Sturbridge, Massachusetts, will begin his duties on July 23.
Mr. Knowlton is currently serving as Director of Woods Memorial Library and Museum in Barre, Massachusetts, having previously acted as Department Head for Circulation (Adult Services) in the Fall River Public Library System.
Mr. Knowlton succeeds Robert L. Balliot, who resigned last Nov. 30 after a nearly eight-year tenure. Since that time, Assistant Director Barbara Camadeco has served as the Library’s acting director.
“We interviewed several well-qualified applicants for the position,” said John W. Grisham, the chairman of the Library’s Board of Trustees. “Mr. Knowlton’s background and experience are truly impressive, and we anticipate that he will bring the Library to the next level of excellence.”
Mr. Knowlton received his master’s degree in library science from Southern Connecticut State University, and is a graduate of Harvard’s Academic Library Leadership Institute. He is also the holder of master’s degrees in divinity and sacred theology from Yale Divinity School, and in business administration from the University of New Haven.

HALLELUJA! and AMEN!

Sunday Hours Coming for Middletown Library

Good news from the library regarding Sunday hours. I know that the Board of Trustees has been working on this for years. When I was on the Board as Vice Chair (and later Chair) we thought that we had done that with a new labor contract three years ago. The former library director, Robert Balliot, had assured us that we had while also assuring us that we didn't need any professional contract assistance as he had it well-in-hand. Unfortunately, this turned out to be not so. Strike One.

I'm delighted that after settling a new labor contract, the it seems that the Trustees have found a way to finally implement these extra hours of operation. It's still in the planning stages, but they are hopeful that starting the Tuesday after Labor Day and ending the Sunday prior to Memorial Day the library will be open on Sundays! The plan is: Mon thru Thurs 9:30am to 8:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 9:30am to 5:00pm and Sunday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. The library will be closed the Sunday of a holiday weekend, Mother’s Day and any other Sunday that the Director(and I hope to hear of the appointment of one soon) deems appropriate.

Middletown Council Mon. at 7 p.m.

Afraid of losing your home to taxes? You should be. Budget issues are on the agenda. That's what the last Council election was all about (I think). Councilman Silveira, the White Knight, wants to take those MANY extra unreserved funds & use them to LOWER your taxes this yr. (now here's an unusual idea)


Middletown has the highest Moody bond rating of any town in the state. This is a good thing if we want to borrow as we get lower rates. However, this is EXTRA monies, yours, being held for emergency reserve use. Towns usually hold 8 % percent of their budget for these funds. 10 - 12 % is considered excellent. Middletown has substanstilly MORE than this needed percentage, far more than most towns/cities. So what do you want done with them? It's YOUR money after all.


Middletown also has been collecting seperate, extra funds from the Landings (the old Anchorage Housing) which was supposed to be used for the extra police/fire coverage needed. It hasn't been used for that & is quite a substantial ongoing fund. So the question is, do you want these monies returned to you to lower your tax rate or do you want them held in reserve for ?? a new fire station, whatever, for which you will have No SAY (but a bond issue wouldn't be needed). What do you think?


Remember, there are OTHER reserve funds - inc. the schools. The White Knights' resolution also gives money to the Gaudet School for sports, although the Council cannot actually tell the schools HOW to spend their monies. In one budget hearing the School Committee seemed to say that any extra funding would go towards staffings, etc. with sports at the end of the list. Parents were angry. But the second hearing they seemed to say that sports would be #1. So, ya takes yer pick.


The Knight also wants to examine the new town policy wherein anytime anyone asks for public records regarding the Council or ANYTHING ELSE, it gets copied to the Council Prez & he decides what to do with it. Privacy? This is exactly what I heard the Town Admin. say & the Town Solicitor never contradicted this. Is this a good thing or of little importance? What do you think?


Councilman Lou, "Avis" ("He tries harder"), DiPalma wants to discuss why the towns/cities can't yank some control back from the State. Hey, he couldn't even get the Council to back him on more monies from the State raised by the local community being returned from whence it came. Talk about being marginalized!

He wants our State Lege officials to lead on this task of control? Good luck. Has Rep. Long even re-located back to his own district yet? He's been relegated to the fringes of the Rep. Party. Sen. "Sometimes I just can't make up my mind" Gibbs certainly doesn't have much clout either. The most important bill she got passed this term was to make any offense on the Pell Bridge a traffic offense requiring a fine, rather than a Bridge Authority responsibility. Good luck, Lou, forever the optimist.


The State Lege nixed Middletown's request to lower what the acceptable arsenic levels are (read increased Police Station costs) . Frankly, with the some of the Lege representation we have, Middletown doesn't count for much. God bless Rep. Rice (my rep). She stood up to the Lege against her own party & voted to get school funding increased. But no go. Good thing she's on our side. Rep. Jackson also represents our district, but only a small portion. He was the one chairing the arsenic committee on this topic and it's still ongoing. They may yet come up with a helpful solution.

Councilman, "The Inspector," Sylvia has two resolutions for consideration- to spend ?half a mil on renewing storm drains and talk about the dump. I'm interested in hearing more info on the former. Let's finally solve the latter problem and then discuss other topics - say beach pollution, the new police station, controlling health insurance costs, affordable housing, problems with the current methods of property assessment, decreasing pension costs by changing the State's amortization schedule (you should be screaming for this bill to pass resulting in lowered costs $ for the town) etc., etc.

There will be an appointment for the Library Board good only until this Sept. Vergil Blaschke has applied 3-4 ? times for openings. He's a decent, hard-working guy, who keeps an open-mind, and has been Chair of the Friends of the Library for awhile. He's attended most library board meetings for at least 3 years. He's familiar with contracts & that would be good since a new Director will hopefully be hired soon (I'm rooting for Ass't Dir. & Childrens' Librarian Barbara Camedeco if she applied). He's a registered Republican.

I also know the other applicant, Paul Lamond. He helps do all the beautiful gardening around town & the library. Good guy, too. Retired phone co. exec, I think. I served with him years ago on a school bond issue board for which he was Chair. I had some of his beautiful 4 ? daughters in school, too. Good candidate. Also is on the Tree Commission. He's a registered Democrat. I believe he even ran against Sen. June "sometimes I can't make up my mind" Gibbs.


So who will get it? What are these board requirements? This is NOT a partisan board. The White Knight brought up a good point recently. How do you decide? Who would you appoint? Why?

Another appointment is to the Personnel Review Board. This is a partisan board (only a few of these). The Republican Chair DeRuggiero has no name to place in consideration for the appointment (both local party chairs are asked to submit names). The likely fact is that his Party name would not win a vote anyway, but you never know. The Democratic Chair, Indian Ave. resident Don Lavine, "nominates Barbara Sylvia." This is the wife of Councilman "Detective" Sylvia. I also think she is the daughter of former Councilwoman Nunes and former State Rep Larry Nunes (R). Good people.

ANYONE could apply for this opening, though, but no one did. The odd thing is that the local Dem. Chair "nominates" her. Oops, mistake in wording. Only a Councilperson can do this. Local political parties DO NOT control board memberships or agendas! Wasn't this a bone of contention in the last election?

I like Mrs. Sylvia (I think that she forgot to also submit an application, too). Should a close relative of an elected official be appointed to a board? These boards often control personnel, funds, agendas, etc. What do you think? This certainly isn't unusual & I don't wish to imply that it is. Should a person not be allowed to serve because of their birth/marriage?

The letterhead from the Dem. Chair also lists Arlene Kaull as the V. Chair. She is also the Dir. of the Senior Center & her bro. is the Council Chair. Unfortunately this makes it seems as if she is also partly responsible for nominating board/committee members. Again, what do you think? How much do blood/marriage relationships count?


Antone Viveros is also addressing the Council. I like him. We don't always agree, but you have to give the guy credit for trying, speaking up, & never quitting. He's a Republican, but as I've said before, I don't pull the Party lever (or draw the connecting line).

It promises to be a lively session. Too bad the Council never take up a resolution/discussion on Rep. Long who no longer lives here, among other problems.

Be there or be square. Democracy in action. Say hello!

Free Comic Books!! Yeah!!!

It's not exactly in this district (it's the WRONG side of Broadway). The "Annex" has been around for awhile. Yeah, it's cramped, smells kind of funky, & the floors are uneven. Get over it! This Sat. they have free comics to give away! It's "National Comic Book Day!" Don't worry if you miss it, they probably will have extra even after.

As a librarian with little $, I decided to beef up my periodical section & try a few comics. O-O-O-h, some purists didn't like this. "Junk" reading. Not real literature. Au contraire, these proved so popular that there would be actual fights over them. So I expanded the collection & even bought doubles!

If you're a kid & you're reading, it's a good thing! How many adults always read Nobel Prize lit??? Give me a break!

As a kid they cost 5 cents. The annuals were 25 cents (lots of saving of small change went on here). I LOVED: Superman, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Archie, & Batman among others. My brother & I shared them. We shared with our friends. It was fun!! We learned to read & had a darn good time doing so. They also had good ads in the back. Ah, the good old days.

So go already. Take your kids. Or not. They give them to adults, too

What were your favs?

Thanks to "Daily News - Spare Change" & Jim Gillis for the reminder. BTW, Jim, I just heard "I've Got a Brand New Pair of Roller Skates" at the Corner Cafe & I was reminded again of how much I like it. You're all wet!

Middletown More Interested in Dump Than Pier 2?

Once again the Middletown Council will take up the dump discussion ad nauseum. Even though closing it would save the town $ & curbside pickup would be provided, it still drags its feet. In an effort to persuade the Navy for the upteenth time to continue the land lease, they called on Sen. Reed & Rep. Kennedy. One Councilman wants to re-meet with Rep. Kennedy. Still no-go.

I hear from some that the dump is considered by to provide a "meeting place." Hello, get a life! During the campaign Councilwoman Santos voiced concerned for seniors who would have to place their trash curbside. Isn't this easier than a trip to the dump??

Meanwhile "Newport this Week," one of "East Bay Newspapers" periodicals, reports on a meeting with Navy officials"

Rear Adm. Roger Nolan, USN (Ret.), currently the Naval War College Foundation's Executive Director, concurred that the pier's [Pier 2] condition is and should be a public concern. "I think the community should know that the maintenance might not be done," he said.

Nolan added that fixing the pier is both a Navy challenge and a state challenge. "If they don't maintain it, then Newport will lose the ability to be a port for Navy and Coast Guard ships," he said.

Up until Jan. Pier 2 had 8 ships tied up. It now has 2 decomssioned ships - "Forrestal" and "Saratoga." The pier averages 20 ships a year. Closing this pier means no Navy or Coast Guard ships there.

If we have not yet wasted our good will with State/Federal officials, taking up this matter of economic development, might prove more beneficial. While "trash talk" and library threats may make for better press, they provide little substance. Ever hear any more about all the library blah-blah?

It's easy to distract the public for awhile, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. Let's start looking forward instead of bemoaning inevitable change (and small changes at that). Just because we scored safely with the last round of base-closings, doesn't meant we're home-free and set for life. (For those keeping track, Councilmen DiPalma & Silveira were not part of the afore-mentioned brouhahas.)

Thanks to Newport This Week & reporter Andrew Martin

Rhode Island Schools Go to the Dogs!

I've never heard of"Literacy Dogs" but doggone it, there is a school in Cranston that has one. This is part of a nation-wide program called "Reading Education Assitance Dogs." Here is their brochure.

"They really love reading to Henry,' she said [Charlene Lataille, a speech pathologist]. 'A lot of the children like to snuggle up against him. Some have never patted a dog before, and we have heard from some parents that they now practice for Henry at home by reading books to their stuffed animals.'”

"The mission of the R.E.A.D. program is to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of registered Pet Partner® therapy teams as literacy mentors." And good news - cats and even birds have been trained to take part in the program. Farm animals also take part. I know that Simmons Farm sometimes has a summer program stressing literacy skills.

Animals have to be obedience trained, then lessons in being a general-service dog and finally schooling on how to be a literacy companion to be part of this program.

For all the librarians & dog lovers out there here is another article from "School Library Journal."

The Potter League has a similar program, "Reading Fur Fun", but more limited in its scope.

Thanks to Projo for the Article & pic

Rhode Island State Law Trumps Local Law

"The Daily News" tonight speaks of the plan for a new charter review commission. It mentions the one that we had a few years ago & the 2002 vote on some of its suggestions. One of them concerns having a library Board of Trustees. The suggestion is that we can vote NOT to have a trustee board or change its format. Au contraire, that vote was just to formally acknowledge the library laws that the State Legislature had passed a number of years ago. This board is set up by the State. The council appoints members but that's it (it also approves its budget, but the town takes a hit from state funding if it's reduced). The purpose is to keep politics out of the library. And that's what is has done, despite some current opinion. All the rest that you've heard is just conversation (I'm using the nice word for it here).

I keep saying, Barbara Camedeco would make an excellent director. She's a-political and has strong community connections. She'd also be inclined to support improvements in the Childrens' Room which sorely needs it.

Town Clerk Nancy Mello of Tiverton would like some help & wants a Deputy appointed. Evidently everything that needs her official signature just stands still unless she's there. There is no backup. I'd back her anyday after I saw the 4th grade voting program she put on in the Fall. All the clerks there participated - they did their own jobs & took on all this extra work. Keeping 6 classes of 9 year olds happy ain't easy. And they not only did it, they did it well. Give her that clerk!

Spruce Acres in Middletown is up for sale. Only last yr. in conversation with the owner he said that his family would never sell. Too bad. It's a tough business. A number of farmers converted their crops to Xmas trees years ago when there was a shortage & they had no other cash crops which they could survive on. But trees are a labor intensive crop. I remember buying one there 2-3 years ago & finding a deserted bids' nest in it while I was decorating. Too bad. How much longer will we have tree farms or strawberry fields or blueberry bushes? The orchards & fresh cider are gone. And I miss 'em.

More Library Ramblings

Tonight the council will again discuss the departure of the former Director, Robert L. Balliot, and the refusal of the library trustees to resign (ad nauseum). There is even going to be a motion for the Attorney General to consider if it is possible for Council members to remove any board/commission members at their whim.

It's time to allow the former director to get on with his life. After eight years of service, a small town public library no longer made a good fit with his interests and abilities. He chaffed under the basic rules & regulations necessary to insure the integrity of any government branch. His strongest asset was always his technical services expertise, and perhaps this is where his future will lead him.

The problems concerning Open Meetings Laws are fairly common. Having read these regs a number of times, they are often as clear as mud. The library chair is a lawyer himself. It was also the Director's job to assist with these postings.

The Director seemed to see himself as the center of all public information in the town and as the sole arbitor of all aspects in this regard. This is just plain dangerous. This coupled with widely circulated malicious misinformation (lies) resulted in a library that was having difficultes functioning on its most basic level (jeopardized funding). I was even forced to publicly state that I was not in line to be the next director. Absurdities, insults, and innuendoes spread to undermine reality.

Mr. Balliot deserves the opportunity to use his many talents in a setting that conforms more to his personal standards. He resigned of his own accord and his wishes should be respected. To continue to blame his governing board for what was clearly a most dissastified director on all levels, is absurd. It's not the director who should hold the center of importance, it's the library. The library is still there, it still functions, and will go on without him. This is not the first time that a director has left. I sincerely hope that he is able to find more suitable employment.

Ain't Nazis "Cute?"

I've seen a few postings in the newspaper & on other blogs refer to the "cute" and "clever" cartoon drawn by "Middletown First's" Chil Mott (boyfriend of Gail Greenwood). These 1933 photos are what the clever cartoonist based his cartoon on. This is when the "brown shirts" burned books by Jews & others. Books by Freud, Einstein, Thomas Mann, Jack London, H.G. Wells and many others went up in flames as they gave the Nazi salute.

To refer to Middletown Democrats in this way is not only insulting, but immoral. These hate-mongering groups executed and murdered millions. It demonstrates a cartoonist who is far from "clever," but trivializes an historical event to summarily demonize a local political group. Mr. Mott attempts to stir up the basest human emotions while being held accountable to no one.

Equating local Democrats with Nazis smack of a vicious political smear. If these are the kind of friends the former library director kept, his leaving seems no great loss to me. This smear also took the form of setting me up as the next director, should I lose the Senate election. It seems to have originated with the library director & others. I hope not.

But that's how these groups work - there has to be a villain(s) to hate , blame, and distract from the real problems - pollution, and taxes, jobs, war, and healthcare. So you tell me who should be wearing the black (or brown) hat here. Library trustees, take heart! You can't fool all of the people all of the time. Cute, indeed.

Middletown Library Employees Ratify Contract!

Amid all the hoopla over the former director, it has escaped notice that the library workers (not the director) lacked a contract which expired July 1 (BTW, it should be noted that the former director never had an actual physical contract that I was aware of) . For all the hard-knocks the Trustees have taken, it was through their hard work & the union reps that this happened. Having negotiated a contract on behalf of the library trustees myself, I can vouch for the difficulty of doing this task - especially when it involves employees whom you know and respect. You want to do the best you can for them and for the town's taxpayers who foot the bills.

Months of meetings are required. And the trustees get zero for this. They do it out of a sense of civic duty. Of course, if they all feel the need to resign (and I hope that they don't) there won't be anyone to actually sign the contract.

The library employees unanimously ratified a new contract last night. The basic details are these: workers get a retroactive raise of between 1% & 3% to July 1, 2006. All workers will get a 4% raise on January 1 of 2007, 2008, & 2009. All workers getting health insurance will be paying 10% of the premium by the end of the contract (there is less than a handful of these). Most other changes were minor.

It's nice to be posting good news about the library for a change. The library isn't, nor should it be, all about the director. The fact that it's near the coming holidays just make it all the sweeter.

Congratulations & thanks to all who made this possible and will receive little public thanks for it.

Middletown Library Again

Middletown Council met last night & they discussed....the public library & director (Robert L. Balliot, Jr.). Talk about your wedge issue. Divisive politics at its worse. Will this clean our beaches, lower our taxes, improve our schools? No, but it sure is distracting from all those nasty things.
The Director & Board should have issued a joint public statement which could have diffused some of the currect vicious rumors, gossip, & comments (some initiated by the former director). Perhaps the Chair still could. My suggestion to get beyond this is for the board to appoint a special seach commission. Draw on all segments of the town to help in the search for a new director.
Like I've mentioned before, the library board is one of the most powerful in the town, second only to the School Committee (and they're elected). They negotiate contracts, hire personnel, make policy, have their own budget. The town has no power over them except in their appointments to the board. They could always cut their budget, but then the state retaliates by severely eliminating/reducing funding. The library board answers only to state laws & regs. Guess everyone has finally noticed.

But there is good news here. Not too long ago there was stike talk, I believe. I do believe that a settlement for all the library workers who actually make the library work is close. Working out a contract mutually beneficial to both sides isn't easy. This probably won't even make it to the press. And Barbara Camadeco is temp Director. That is good news!

Next Library Director - It Ain't Me, Babe!

In case I haven't been clear in the past:

Dear Editor,

It has recently been brought to my attention that my name is being circulated as a potential future Director of the Middletown library. I have never had any interest in applying for this job in the past, nor do I now. I am extremely busy being a wife and mother, involved in civic affairs, family business interests, and volunteer activities. In other words, "If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve."

Dems Respond To Nazi Type Cartoon in NDN

Here is the response to the "Daily News" by the Chair of the Democratic Town Committee.:

To the Newport Daily New Editor:
Over the last few days, several letters and a cartoon have appeared in the Newport Daily News either inferring or directly attributing to the Middletown Democratic Town Committee a role in orchestrating the resignation of the Middletown Library Director, Mr. Robert Balliot.

To clarify the matter, as a matter of law, policy, and custom, the Committee does not now, nor has it ever attempted to involve itself with the functions of the Library Board.

Because two of the six members of the Library Board and the Council liaison are also members of the Middletown Democratic Town Committee, I imagine that those who wish to find a conspiracy will do so regardless of the truth of the matter. That is unfortunate, and probably says more about a desire to polarize discussion of town problems rather than engage in civil discourse. But to repeat, the Middletown Democratic Town Committee has no role in Library Board functions, and has no opinion on the resignation of Mr. Balliot.

Several letters and Daily News editorials have lamented the absence of civility in public meetings. It is unfortunate that the Daily News chose to add to this lack of civil discourse by printing an offensive cartoon which, by its prominent placement and lack of disclaimer, appeared to be a Daily News editorial statement on the Library Director controversy.

As a retired naval officer and Middletown citizen actively involved in the affairs or our town, I was deeply troubled by the sketch drawn by Chil Mott. I have defended and will continue to defend our constitutional freedoms. I respect Mott’s right to draw and publish cartoons, even if the message is untrue. But to label the Democratic Committee, of which I am proud to be Chair, as engaging in the suppression of our freedoms is insulting, disgusting and downright despicable. If Mott has evidence to support such a claim, I challenge Mott to produce it.

I suppose the sheer nastiness of the cartoon is appealing to Mott, and may in some way fulfill a desire to disparage and belittle those who work to improve our town, state and nation. I feel nothing but pity and sorrow for such a sordid world view.

I cannot guess what prompted Mott to take an absurdly illogical leap from a controversy between the Library Board and the Library Director to suppression of constitutional freedoms by the Middletown Democratic Committee. Perhaps it is a desire to emulate Joseph Goebbels who said “…tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, [and] people will eventually come to believe it.”, or perhaps simple ignorance. I certainly hope it is the latter.

At the very least Mott owes an apology to all Middletown citizens who participate in the political process. We owe them our thanks, not Mott’s sadly misguided, ugly cynicism.

If you are interested in working to improve our town and country, I urge you to repudiate the repellent view expressed by the Mott cartoon and whether Democrat, Republican or unaffiliated, participate in the political process.

The Middletown Democratic Town Committee is proud to have played a small part in creating a sea change in our Congressional leadership and we will continue to work for the election of Democratic candidates at all levels. We do not and will not interfere in the operation of Town committees and boards.

Richard Adams
Chair, Middletown Democratic Town Committee

Middletown Democrats Depicted as Nazis in NDN

It’s the most vicious political cartoon I’ve ever seen the Daily News or any other regional paper carry on a community group. It shows a Gestapo-type uniformed donkey standing on two-legs. His tunic states “Middletown Democratic Town Committee.” A book under his arm is “Public Information” and one labeled “Robert Balliot” is being tossed into a bonfire of books in front of the Middletown Public Library. The books are “Intellectual Freedom,” “Open Meeting Laws,” & “Independent Libraries.” Next to him is a container of accelerant labeled “Censorship.”

It is a “letter” cartoon by Chil Mott (boyfriend of Gail Greenwood, “Middletown First”). He couldn’t actually put this cartoon into words because he’d be sued for libel. The positioning of it makes it appear to be a "Daily News" editorial cartoon which it's not. No, I've told you before that the local newspaper is NOT Republican-leaning & loves Democrats. Fair & balanced.

I’m the Secretary of the Middletown Democratic Town Committee. Never have we discussed the public library or the former Director. There are 2 Democrats on the Library Board & 5 Independents. They accepted the Director’s resignation. The Town Committee played no role.

Nazis??? My uncle was in the Battle of the Bulge. My husband is a veteran as are a number of our members. So is the Chair. What an ignorant, narrow-minded insult comparing us with jack-booted, Jew-hating Nazis, responsible for the deaths of millions. How demeaning and trivalizing for those caught up in the Third Reich. Comparing a municipal political group to Nazis? You'd think that a clever cartoonist would have a wider repetoire, not to mention the capability for fact-checking. You'd also think that a newspaper would have some editorial standards (like when they decided NOT to take the former Mrs. Long up on her offer unlike Ch. 10).

"Middletown First" has repeatedly made connections with the committee, Democrats, and what happened at the library. Say it often enough & it’s true. What exactly was done? When and by whom? I’ve heard nothing but innuendo and rumor. Where’s the proof? In other words, where’s the beef?

Just like the rumor that was spread by the former director & others that I was set up to take over the job. More lies & innuendo designed to make me & the town committee look guilty of something. A fine example of a wedge issue designed to divide a community. The director left because he didn’t get a perfect score in one area of his performance rating? Boo-hoo. When it was time to stand up for what he said that he believed in, he left quietly in the night. No one held a gun to his head. That’s what he thought of the people standing up for him. He used them to negotiate the best deal that he could get & then slunk out leaving others to clean up his mess.

The newspaper & Chil Mott owe an apology. I won’t hold my breath.

(from weekend edition)

Middletown Library Director - Adios!

Firstly, let's get the last 2 paragraphs from the "Daily News" out of the way. "As for rumors that the trustees already have promised the position to a former board member, Grisham said that was not the case." Gee, the only former member that I know of who would qualify with an MLIS (Masters Degree in Library Studies) is ME! And if there is one thing in life that I DO NOT WANT - it's another full time job (been there - done that). And a 5 sec. conversation with me would clear that up - or anyone who knows me. IT AIN'T ME, BABE! So either some person has escaped my memory or (as my mom would say) the rumor mongerers need to have their heads examined! No, I'm quite sure that it didn't have ANYTHING to do with my running for State Senate.
Everything about this move to prevent the director Robert L. Balliot, Jr.) from departing was based on rumor & innuendo. And if my name was mentioned (and I know that it was) - shame on them. It would have to be rumor & innuendo because facts certainly wouldn't work.
I congratulate the Board of Trustees for having the courage and care for the town, the library, & its employees to take this action. I've blogged on this before.
You can also check out the article in Projo.
I do NOT like to see anyone lose their job. I know what this is like (again, been there - done that). The director had been pushing for a confrontation like this for years. For some reason he thought that he was immune to being released. And for a long time he was. If I had done even a few of the actions that he took upon himself, I could have been fired. He chose not to make any changes and pushed for conflict. And he got it. I'm sad that it had to end this way. But the town is better off for it.
So let's find a new Director. Babara Camadeco (Ass't Dir. & Childrens' Librarian) is now taking over. Hey, assistant director. Sounds like a good choice to me for Director. If, indeed, she wants it.

Nice Job if You Can Get It (and keep it)

The current speculation is that the local library director (Robert L. Balliot, Jr.) is about to be put back into circulation, according to the "Middletown Newsletter." I highly recommend this site if you're interested in local government.

Seems as if the director is trying to achieve every man (or woman's) dream - to be gainfully employed AND be the employer (without any of the $ responsibilites, of course) at the same time. At a recent Board meeting (the library is run by this Board who is appointed by the Council - they answer to the State, though - much like the School Committee), they wanted to give him a list of job requirements/expectations. In turn, he has a 20 page list of requirements for them. This is tantamount to my working for the School Dept. (which I did) and handing them my list of my requirements for them ( which I did - yeah, right!).

The basic question has yet to be answered - who is in charge? Too bad there were never specific policies in place which would have avoided this brouhaha. But what do I know? Oh, that's right. I have the same degree as the director (plus a few more).

A pity that all the publicity centers around the librarian rather than the library. And except for the director, everyone is working under an expired contract. There is a meeting scheduled on Tues.