A Smart Supervisor Would Fund Samuels Public Library

The press release from the majority of county supervisors that appeared in the Royal Examiner reads a lot better when you change the words “smart person” to the words “willfully ignorant person” all six or so times it is used in that clumsily written piece. Try it, it will be fun!

Thank goodness the people of Warren County will have continued access to Samuels Public Library’s assets and services because the much-loved Samuels Public Library has no intention of closing. I’m not giving up my Samuels Library card. Are you?

As for the reference to Virginia Code § 2.2-3700, pointing out that it explicitly states that FOIA “shall be liberally construed to promote an increased awareness by all persons of governmental activities” and that “any exemption allowing public records to be withheld must be interpreted narrowly.

First of all, Samuels’ activity is not governmental activity. I would have thought you knew that. They are a nonprofit organization, not a government department.

Second of all, speaking of increased awareness of governmental activities, weren’t 10 of the 14 Warren County Library Board meetings closed? And didn’t it take months for any minutes at all to show up for public review? Me thinks the gang doth protest too much.

Finally, it was laughable to read your bit about assets going to New Jersey (oh no!) or Afghanistan (really?).

I know you’ve been working like demons to get this situation settled in your favor, but it sounds like y’all really need to get some rest. Maybe then you’ll come back with clearer heads and be able to think straight before you do something that “a smart person” would not.

Kelli Hart
Front Royal, VA

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