As Library Supporters Cite New Board Member Ties to Book Removal Effort, Library Trustees File Injunction vs. the County

(Writer’s note: An edit has been made correcting citing Jessica Lynn Johnson, writer of the Open Letter to the Warren County Board of Supervisors, as the original source of information about Warren County Library Board appointee Frank Gresham. Johnson explained to us that she found the information cited about Gresham’s past Facebook posts from another Save Samuels member and was forwarding that information to us as additional background. Additional clarifying corrections regarding Chairman Butler’s comment should have read, “was primarily interested in applicant’s perspectives on current policies and finances related to library operations.”

Posts originated at a members-only “Save Samuels” Public Library supporters website chat room forwarded to this reporter alleged some questionable processes and choices by the Warren County Board of Supervisors regarding appointments to its newly created Warren County Library Board. In a post quoting from a member’s letter to the county’s five elected supervisors that was also sent to Royal Examiner as part of an Opinion page submission it was pointed out that:

“You have stated time and time again that this new board is not about regulating and/or restricting content in the library, that this is all for financial oversight. How are we supposed to believe that, when at a minimum, one of the five appointees was heavily involved in Clean Up Samuels?”

Evolving information gathered by Samuels Library supporters appears to indicate a clear majority of newly appointed County Library Board members have connections to the Samuels Library book banning effort of 2023. Will that majority put Virginia’s 2024 Library of the Year ‘behind bars’ operationally as many supporters fear? Royal Examiner File Photos

The post cited that “minimum of one” as 4-year-appointee Eric Belk, who was identified as with his family submitting 27 book removal requests to Samuels Library during the 2023 “Clean Up Samuels” public effort. Readers will recall that effort as largely aimed at removing LGBTQ-themed material. It is material, as previously reported here, seen by Library supporters as an emotional support effort to children reaching puberty with self-generated sexual identity questions to keep them from accepting bullying from their peers, and/or becoming suicidal as a consequence of such bullying.

“How is this person supposed to remain objective in making decisions about the future of the library?” Jessica Lynn Johnson asked the supervisors of Belk’s appointment, adding, “Your agenda you tried to deny all along is now very clear. You cannot hide it. I am curious to see Mr. Belk’s and others qualifications that deemed them sufficient to be on this board. I know for a fact that multiple citizens applied who were very qualified, and none of them were even contacted for an interview.”

Royal Examiner contacted county officials, including new board Chairman “Jay” Butler about the library board appointment process and numbers. Butler confirmed a total of six interviews conducted in Closed/Executive Session a week earlier (Jan. 16) of what at one point was 21 applicants that eventually rose to 27 or 28. Noting he spoke only for himself, Butler said he could not comment on the interview criteria the other members held applicants to. For his part, Butler said he was primarily interested in applicant’s perspectives on current policies and finances related to library operations.

Now Supervisors Chairman ‘Jay’ Butler confirmed the BOS interviewed only 6 of 27 or 28 applicants for seats on new County Library Board. Were only known allies to the board majority’s perspective on library operations called for interviews, library supporters are now asking.

Regarding the 2023 “Clean Up Samuels” effort to have materials removed from Virginia’s 2024 Library of the Year, Butler added, “When they made the adjustments over there (at the library) I was okay with that.” His reference was to the movement of some material content questioned to older-age youth sections, as opposed to complete removal.

Asked about qualifications as a library board appointee, Butler indicated that Belk’s application indicated he was an attorney. Asked if the appointee was an attorney with ties to the ultra-conservative Catholic community some library critics have self-identified as, the board chairman indicated he did not know, and declined further comment.

Moving past Belk’s appointment, as well as Supervisor Vicky Cook’s 3-year self-appointment, we looked at 1-year term appointee Frank Gresham. In her introductory email submitting her Open Letter to the WC BOS to us for possible publication on our Opinion page, Jessica Lynn Johnson added information she had acquired from others about appointee Frank Gresham:
“I have now come to learn that another appointee, Mr. Frank Gresham, has posted publicly on Facebook multiple extreme right wing leaning posts, to include a claim that pornography is in the local schools libraries.”

Four Facebook posts attributed to a Front Royal-based Frank Gresham, believed newly appointed to a 1-year term to the County Library Board. Uh oh, Devil is spelled how? Well, he doesn’t like Pope Francis either. At least we’re in good company.

And prior to publication we came across another Save Samuels members post that also summarized the new library board appointment situation as perceived by many Samuels Public Library supporters:

“The Warren County Library has been appointed. Unfortunately, Board of Supervisors member Vicky Cook, who attended a gathering that was held to complete book ban requests; Eric Belk, who submitted requests for books to be banned; and Veronica Ranieri, a member of Clean Up Samuels, were appointed to the Board. In addition, it seems as though library supporters, who applied for positions on the Board, were not even contacted.”

Samuels Library, Virginia’s 2024 Library of the Year and the Commonwealth of Virginia’s 2nd oldest certified public library dating to 1799, is not taking the County government’s effort to alter its financial and operational oversight authority lying down. On Friday, Jan. 24th the Library Board of Trustees filed an Injunction seeking court review of the creation process of the supervisor-appointed Library Board, and a hold on its operations pending a court ruling.

Library legal challenge of new County Library Board Code

In a late developing related item Friday, January 24, Royal Examiner was alerted that, that Friday afternoon the Samuels Library Board of Trustees had submitted a “Petition for Injunction & Specific Performance” against the County seeking to halt the installation of the new Library Board as an oversight authority of, not only County financing of aspects of library operations, but potentially of those operations themselves.

Two former elected Town of Front Royal officials, former Mayor Hollis Tharpe and Councilwoman Letasha Thompson, chimed in with brief comments in the Save Samuels chat room: “I’m sure it’s going to be like ban these books or no funding, etc.,” Thompson posted of the newly appointed board’s role of alleged financial oversight.

In reaction to the detailed accounting of new library board appointees backgrounds by one Save Samuels member, Tharpe posted, “Tell it like you see it,” to the member.

Mayor Hollis Tharpe, center, and Letasha Thompson listen to public comments along with Vice-Mayor Bill Sealock at 2019 Town Council meeting. Posted comments the now retired political pair have made indicate they have been tracking developments with the community’s public library and county government. Could town officials past or present become witnesses in court hearings regarding the existing MOA between Samuels Library, the County, and Town? Stay tuned.

Royal Examiner hurried to the Warren County Courthouse Circuit Court Clerk’s Office where with the help of staff this reporter acquired a hard copy of the 8-page Injunction from the Library Board of Trustees” as plaintiff, and “The Warren County Board of Supervisors” and “Warren County, Virginia” as defendants.

The opening page of the Injunction request states: “COMES NOW the Samuels Public Library Board of Trustees … by counsel, and moves this Court to immediately temporarily enjoin and then permanently enjoin the Warren County Board of Supervisors … and Warren County from creating an ordinance adding Chapter Library Board, to the Warren County Code of Ordinances without proper process; enjoin the BOS and Warren County from breaching the Memorandum of Understanding; and order that SPL Trustees not be inhibited from acting in its normal manner. In support of this Petition, Plaintiffs state the following:” which was followed by six pages of reference material to Jurisdiction, the involved Parties, applicable Case Law in the Code of Virginia, and the action path to where we are today between the county government and the long-contracted Samuels Library 501-C3 non-profit LLC entity.

We observed that there appeared to be 77 pages of supporting documentation attached to the 8-page written court filing. An initial hearing on the matter is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, on the morning docket.

As Stevi Hubbard, at podium, confronts the BOS about its majority stance towards Samuels Public Library management, and joint operational and facilities funding with the County, citizens stand in support of Hubbard’s words and the Library’s existing management structure.

It might be noted, particularly in light of the above-referenced Hollis Tharpe and Letasha Thompson comments following the evolving situation online, that the referenced MOU dates to January 2013, and includes, not only Warren County, but also the Town of Front Royal as participating municipal corporations with Samuels Public Library in the MOU on the contracted community public library operational agreement. As they were with the EDA, the Town was removed from funding responsibilities for the library in another effort to prevent town residents from being double-taxed for countywide services, as they are considered both town and county residents who are taxed by both municipalities.

Royal Examiner will publish the full 8-page Samuels Library Petition For Injunction filing when we gain online publishable access to it.

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