How would you like to sit on a local board as an elected official, only to scout out when the top paying jobs become available so you can insert yourself in the position? Fountaindale Library board members are debating doing that same thing, and changing the policies to accommodate their lack of qualifications to do so.
Currently the Interim Director has announced her notice to vacate her position. To qualify for the job, one must hold a Masters in Library Science MLS.
They have to look no further, as Shirley Williams, an approx 15 year employee of Fountaindale has been waiting her turn, has the degree, and is well supported by the residents to take this role in the Library if she is asked. This would eliminate job hunting costs for the next director. However, when you are from a corrupt Political Party like the Will County Republicans, and you don't like Shirleys political stance, you just decide to change the rules...
It is alleged that discussions are underway RIGHT NOW. Just like the Wisconsin Governor who changed the rules to pass his own votes, the Library board wants to eliminate the MLS requirement and place a board member as the Director. Thus favoring a Will County Republican Party candidate instead of someone with tenure and degrees to do the job. Is that what the taxpayers of Bolingbrook want? We think not. We do not want a non-experienced or educated person as the Director of our new $40 Mil dollar library!
It has been alleged that top GOP party member Peg Danhof is leading the initiative and GOP Bob Kalnicki is pushing for this. It is also alleged that one of them will give themselves this high paying position by changing the rule of minimum qualifications to sit on this position. They are going out of their way to remove this long standing precedent, a precedent that resides in most public libraries.
This is mis-appropriation of tax payers dollars and will cause a HUGE outcry in the Village. This will probably get state wide news coverage and the attention of the Will County State's Attorney. With people still burning over the amount to open the Library, this move will cause even the non-voters to come out and vote, just to get Kalnicki out of office and in two years, Danhof.
Sometimes an elected official has to watch their actions or they will be voted out. They also have to watch their actions if there is a Watch Dog on the scene. It is bad enough that board members try to give money to family and friends, but to give it to themselves is drawing a line! The Watch Dogs are on the scene, but in the meantime, we will support Ms. Shirley Williams and hope she will step up and ask for this position. On behalf of the taxpayers, this would be the right thing for her to do.
They paid a search firm to produce candidates. Did they waste money on the search? They should post the job opening and Shirley should protest any change in the requirements. The Board Members said they needed a search firm to assist in the search for a Library Director..now they try to vault one of their own unqualified trustees into the job. Quote from their own ethics policy: "Board members should not use or attempt to use their position with the Fountaindale Public Library to obtain unwarranted privileges or advantages for themselves or others." What hypocrites!
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