“Smart Enough to Fight”: Library Supporters Rally in Warren County

Supporters of Samuels Public Library and other public services gathered Friday evening, June 13, in the parking lot of the Warren County Government Center for a rally organized by the Save Samuels Political Action Committee (PAC) and the Preserve Warren County PAC. The event, held under hot summer skies and filled with music, pizza, and signs of grassroots spirit, drew an energized crowd advocating for local control, public funding, and greater accountability from elected officials.

Samantha Good, president of the Save Samuels PAC, opened the rally with a nod to recent tensions between citizens and county leadership. “If I was a smart person looking out here, I’d say that more than 30 people care about our library,” she told the crowd—an allusion to a recent quote from an anti-Samuels supervisor, that “only 30 people” in the county supported retaining Samuels as the community’s public library provider.

Samantha Good & Cheryl Cullers opened comments to the crowd in support of Samuels Public Library. Still Photos Roger Bianchini Video Mike McCool

Joining Good on the improvised mobile stage was Warren County Supervisor Cheryl Cullers, speaking in her capacity as chair of the Preserve Warren County PAC. Cullers criticized the Board majority for what she called misplaced priorities. While acknowledging that libraries are not a “core service” under the Virginia code, she reminded the crowd that “we all need, we all love” Samuels and that it deserves protection, not political maneuvering.

Local candidates followed with impassioned remarks. Hugh Henry, running for Fork District Supervisor, condemned what he sees as wasteful attacks on the library. “That money could have gone to fire and rescue,” he said, pointing to the recent strain on local emergency services, particularly in Chester Gap.

Fork District Supervisor candidate Hugh Henry criticized the current board majority for wasting taxpayer dollars on a baseless attack on Samuels Public Library.

Several school board candidates also took the stage, warning that the battle over Samuels is just the beginning. “Once they’re done with the library, they are coming for our schools,” said Sara Jones, candidate for the Happy Creek School Board seat. George Cline, running for the Fork District School Board seat, stressed the importance of civic engagement. “We’ve got to fight; we’ve got to keep showing up like this,” he said. “They’re just not listening.”

As the sun dipped lower, former Supervisor Tony Carter—now a candidate for Happy Creek Supervisor—took the microphone with a mix of humor and pointed criticism. He recalled past capital investments in schools, parks, and public safety facilities as examples of county government working for the people. Then he turned to the current board’s actions with a sharp eye: “Regarding Samuels, I do not believe this is about fiscal responsibility. This is about banning books.”

Next they’ll be after the public schools warned Sara Jones, Happy Creek candidate for the WC School Board. Below, Tony Carter tried to maintain a balance of seriousness and humor in addressing what he made clear he believes is no laughing matter.

Carter’s remarks referenced the broader concern voiced by many speakers, that the library issue has less to do with finances and more to do with political ideology. He poked at claims that the County’s focus should shift to threats from “data centers and missiles,” calling them distractions from real issues.

Rounding out the evening was Shane Boswell, a candidate for Delores Oates current VA-31 House of Delegates seat, who emphasized the importance of representative government and listening to constituents across party lines. “This is what community looks like,” Boswell said, gesturing to the crowd.

The event was part rally, part call to action. Throughout the late afternoon toward evening and forecast rain, speakers urged attendees to vote early ahead of the June 17 primaries and to bring others with them to the polls. The atmosphere remained festive, with food, face painting, balloons, and a visit from Paw Patrol entertaining children while adults gathered in conversation.

Several shots of the crowd of Samuels Supporters out despite the threat of imminent rains, which held off till all the public speakers all had their say. Below, why we’re here; and something for everyone, including the next generation of public library patrons.

Organizers reminded the crowd that showing up and speaking out matters, especially in local politics. “Let them call us whatever they want,” Good had said at the start of the rally — an allusion to a recent county press release that repeatedly suggested “a smart person” would agree with the Board majority’s stance on the ongoing library contract dispute — “We’re not backing down.”