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From YouTube: Public Hearing on Citizen’s Petition to Dissolve the Meridian Library District – March 20, 2023
Description
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B
Thank
you
today
is
a
March.
The
20th
welcome
to
Spring
first
day
of
Spring.
Today,
it's
a
wonderful
day
at
the
time.
It's
six
o'clock,
it's
the
times
the
Commissioners
Board
of
Commissioners
has
scheduled
for
this
hearing.
Regarding
the
the
library
district
in
Meridian,
all
three
Commissioners
are
present
and
we
have
a
room
full
of
guests
and
I
would
like
to
welcome
all
of
you
to
our
to
our
hearing
this
evening.
C
B
And
a
dignified
hearing
we're
convening
this
hearing
today
pursuant
to
a
title,
33
chapter
27
of
the
Idaho
code
and
the
notice
of
hearing
published
on
March,
the
sixth
and
on
March,
the
13th
2023..
B
The
purpose
of
this
hearing
is
to
receive
public
comment
on
the
petition
for
disillusion
of
the
meridian
Library
District
Idaho
law
requires
us
to
hold
this
hearing,
since
we
received
a
petition
with
more
than
50
verified
signatures.
The
only
item
that
we
can
consider
is
whether
to
put
the
question
to
dissolve
the
library
district
on
the
ballot.
We
have
no
authority
to
dissolve
the
district.
Only
voters
can
create
a
library
district
and
only
voters
can
dissolve
a
Library
District.
B
B
So,
pursuant
to
Idaho
code,
we'll
hear
testimony
from
residents
within
the
boundaries
of
the
Meridian
library
district,
those
wishing
to
testify
may
speak
regarding
the
form
of
the
petition,
the
genuineness
of
the
signatures,
the
legality
of
the
proceedings
or
any
other
matter
in
regard
to
the
disillusion
of
the
Library
District.
That's
in
Idaho
code,
too.
Both
petitioners
in
the
library
district
May
nominate
one
individual
to
speak
on
their
behalf
and
present
an
opening
statement.
B
The
opening
statement
is
limited
to
15
minutes
and
each
side
may
present
a
closing
argument
at
the
conclusion
of
the
hearing
not
to
exceed
five
minutes.
These
times
may
may
be
extended
by
the
board
if
the
board
should
have
any
questions,
those
giving
an
opening
or
closing
statement,
May
defer
a
portion
of
their
time
to
others
such
as
an
expert
members
of
the
public
who
reside
within
the
library
district
and
we're
going
to
keep
to
that
because
that's
the
law,
members
of
the
public
can
reside
within
the
Library
District
boundaries.
B
May
provide
testimony
not
to
exceed
three
minutes.
All
those
who
wish
to
testify
this
evening
must
complete
the
sign-in
sheet
that
includes
providing
your
residential
address.
Only
those
who
sign
in
tonight
May
testify
in
lieu
of
or
in
addition
to
testifying,
you
may
indicate
whether
you
support
or
oppose
disillusion
of
the
library
district
in
the
sign
in
sheet.
When
is
your
turn
to
testify,
you
may
simply
set
your
name
and
whether
you
are
in
favor
or
against
disillusion.
B
During
testimony,
if
you
wish
to
reference
to
any
document
that
may
have
been
previously
submitted
to
the
board,
we
have
a
whole
book
of
money
on
their
honor
computer.
We
will
have
all
that
all
the
documents
that's
been
submitted
to
us.
Please
refer
to
the
page
number
at
the
bottom
of
the
page.
Each
commissioner
has
access
to
an
unredacted
record
of
our
on
our
computer
screens,
and
we
will
review
the
page
number
you
reference.
B
The
record
is
available
on
our
website
that
you
may
have
access
to
at
any
time.
Any
additional
documents
we
receive
within
the
allotted
time
frame
will
be
included
on
the
record
on
our
website.
The
documents
that
have
been
submitted
are
available
at
our
website.
As
a
reminder,
the
board
will
not
allow
any
posters,
banners,
PowerPoint
or
other
exhibits
to
be
presented
at
this
hearing.
The
board
will
accept
documents
for
48
hours.
Following
the
conclusion
of
this
hearing
that
may
be
relevant
for
rebuttal
purposes.
We
will
hear
an
opening
statement
from
petitioners.
B
First,
then,
an
opening
statement
from
the
library
district.
At
the
conclusion
of
the
opening
statement,
we
will
hear
testimony
from
members
of
the
public
in
no
particular
order.
I
want
to
remind
everyone
to
please
be
respectful
of
this
process
and
be
courteous
to
those
testifying
by
refraining
from
speaking
or
commenting
or
applauding
or
hissing
or
commenting
unless
it
is
your
turn
to
testify.
B
B
So
the
light
will
turn
yellow
when
there's
30
seconds
remaining.
The
board
will
consider
all
evidence
and
testimony
received
and
within
10
days
of
the
hearing
will
issue
an
order
regarding
an
election
or
not.
Should
the
board
decide
to
place
the
question
on
the
ballot
the
law
says
it
will
be
on
the
next
general
election
and
will
be
in
in
November
or
may.
If
it's
early
enough,
as
we
are
keeping
record
open
for
additional
48
hours,
we
will
not
deliberate
today.
B
I
must
remind
you
in
everyone
that,
if
you
wish
to
testify,
you
need
to
there's
there's
places
you
can
sign
up
in
the
rear
in
the
back
of
the
room,
and
you
need
to
have
that
that
sign-in
sheet
now
we
also
there's
there's
a
there's,
an
overflow
crowd
here
tonight
and
all
those
that
were
not
able
to
get
into
the
room.
We
put
them
up
up
in
our
jury
room
and
they
can
watch
this
live
stream.
B
So
everybody
that's
here,
will
have
a
chance
to
watch
the
proceedings
and
they
can
testify
and
at
the
appropriate
time,
if
we're
through
with
our
testimony
by
the
time
we
conclude
the
hearing
tonight,
which
we
have
anticipated
to
be
around
10
o'clock,
then
we
will
hold
the
commit.
The
the
hearing
over
till
Wednesday
evening
to
conclude
the
rest
of
the
hearing,
so
everyone
that
that
has
a
desire
to
speak
should
be
able
to
speak
at
this
hearing
this
evening.
E
Mr
chairman
I
I
would
just
like
to
thank
all
of
you
for
being
here,
and
you
appreciate
the
fact
that
you're
involved
in
your
government,
because
this
is
the
system
of
government
that
our
Founders
gave
us
for
you
to
be
involved
and
it's
essential
that
you
be
involved
in
your
government
for
it
to
function
properly.
That's
not
a
luxury,
but
a
requirement
of
our
system
to
function
properly.
So
I
I
just
want
to
congratulate
you
all
of
all
of
you
for
being
here.
E
First
of
all,
and
then
I
can
tell
by
you
the
numbers
that
are
here
that
you're
sincerely
interested
in
making
sure
your
government
functions
well
and
properly
and
I
want
to
assure
you
that
we
are
taking
our
role
seriously
as
well.
We
are
here
to
listen
to
you,
that's
what
we
will
do
and
we
will
take
all
the
information
that
you
have
to
give
us
as
many
of
us
of
you
as
want
to
talk
to
us,
and
we
take
seriously
what
you
say,
and
we
will
consider
that
as
we
make
our
decision.
B
F
Say
anything
well
just
Echo,
commissioner
Daley's
comments.
I
think
this
is
the
biggest
route
I've
seen
since
I
got
elected
two
years
ago,
so
it's
very
impressive
to
see
a
crowd
of
this
side
of
size,
of
engaged
citizens
and,
of
course,
remember
to
silence
your
cell
phones.
I,
don't
know
if
we've
got
that
reminder
out
there.
Yet,
but
again,
if
you
want
to
look
at
the
exhibits,
there
is
a
a
website,
a
page
on
our
site
that
you
can
follow
along
with
the
exhibits.
F
There's
information
in
the
back
about
the
website
address
where
we
have
a
QR
code,
I
think
so
thanks
everyone
for
coming
and
I
hope
we
can
get
through
this
this
evening.
But
if
not
as
commissioner
Beck
said,
we'll
continue,
because
we
want
to
make
sure
that
everybody
who
wants
to
talk
has
an
opportunity
to
do
so.
B
Okay,
thank
you
one
more
thing:
there
is
a
microphone
up
there
and
it's
kind
of
sensitive.
So
if
you
can
just
not
mess
with
it
just
unless
you
need
to
bring
it
down
a
little
closer
to
yourself,
but
don't
it
it
we'll
have
to
get
our
it
guy
up
here
to
fix
it.
If,
if
we
have
difficulty
with
the
microphone,
okay,
all
right,
first,
we
will
hear
from
the
sponsors
of
the
the
district.
Is
there
a
representative
from
the
sponsors
of
the
district?
G
My
name
is
Michael
Hahn
and
I
live
in
Meridian,
Idaho
and
I'm
at
2134,
East,
Summer,
Ridge,
Drive
83646
that
sound
good
can
I
is
that?
Okay,
that's
fine!
Okay,
all
right
good
evening,
Ada
County
Commissioners,
my
name
is
Michael
Hahn
and
I
live
in
Meridian,
Idaho
and
I
have
been
asked
to
speak
tonight
for
the
concerned.
G
Many
of
these
attendees
tonight
have
been
duped
into
thinking
that
you,
the
Commissioners,
were
getting
rid
of
the
library
they
have
all
been
lied
to.
All
we
ask
is
that
you
put
this
decision
in
the
hands
of
the
voters.
The
Meridian
library
district
is
a
critical
part
of
our
community.
We
love
it,
we
need
it.
We
don't
want
to
get
rid
of
it.
The
real
problem
lies
with
the
trustee
board
and
the
library
director
them.
G
We
have
a
stand-alone
taxing
district
with
a
trustee
board
them
that
has
no
accountability
to
city,
county
or
state.
They
are
only
accountable
to
We
the
People.
For
that
reason,
we
the
people
are
taking
action
and
they
don't
like
it.
They
are
in
charge
of
a
huge
budget
and
they
Bank
on
We
the
People
not
paying
attention
that
is
over.
The
Commissioners
have
exhibits
that
I
sent
on
315
exhibits,
946
to
974
and
I
like
to
start
by
dispelling
some
myths
and
misrepresentations
perpetrated
by
the
library
director
and
trustees.
G
Myth
number
one:
there
is
no
obscene
or
sexually
explicit
material
at
the
Meridian
library
that
is
false,
exhibit
974
shows
just
a
small
sample
of
books
available
at
or
through
the
library
directly
accessible
by
minors
without
parental
consent.
Any
parent
would
recognize
that
this
material
is
sexually
explicit
and
harmful
to
minors
as
further
evidence
of
this
sexual
material
to
minors.
G
At
the
library
chairman,
Megan
Larson
in
a
February
2023
meeting
trustee
meeting,
referring
to
a
house
bill
139,
said
I
would
agree
that
if
this
bill
should
pass
and
become
law,
the
policy
requirements
would
require
some
significant
changes
as
to
how
we
operate
this
Library.
We
could
expect
the
library
operations
to
look
very
different,
some
significant
restrictions
on
some
of
our
services.
That
gentleman
is
a
clear
admission
that
they
have
this
material
at
the
library
and
they
have
a
problem
with
it.
G
G
These
statements
are
legal
alphabet
soup,
created
to
obfuscate
the
truth
and
to
attempt
to
confuse
we,
the
people
and
the
Commissioners.
Were
these
statements
manufactured
by
attorneys?
Were
these
attorneys
paid
for
by
our
tax
dollars?
Weaponizing
our
money
against
us.
These
are
all
very
good
questions.
Myth
number
two:
we
are
infringing
on
First
Amendment
rights,
false.
There
are
two
court
cases
in
an
example,
a
that
clearly
state
that
disseminating
sexually
explicit
material
to
minors
is
not
covered
by
the
First
Amendment
myth
number
three:
it's
the
parents
responsibility!
G
Well,
we
as
parents
are
taking
the
responsibility
to
fix
this
issue.
That's
why
we're
here
today
for
years,
the
library
has
been
promoting
themselves
as
a
safe
space
for
children
to
explore.
So
now,
if
a
parent
has
to
follow
their
child
around
like
a
hawk
to
see
what
they're
picking
up
well,
it's
no
longer
a
safe
space.
Is
it
myth
number
four?
We
want
to
ban
and
censor
books
false.
We
have
never
asked
for
that
period.
G
Myth
number
five!
We
want
to
get
rid
of
the
library
district
again
false.
We
want
to
re-establish
this
Library
through
a
democratic
process
with
a
trustee
board
that
is
in
line
with
Community
standards.
If
our
petition
initiative
is
successful,
we
will
immediately
submit
our
next
petition
to
re-establish
the
library
district.
Isn't
that
worth
protecting
our
children.
We
value
our
children
over
institutions,
we
value
creating
safe
institutions
for
all
people
of
all
ages.
G
Now
that
you
understand
why
we
are
what
we
are
not
trying
to
do,
I
want
to
address
why
we
have
chosen
to
take
this
path.
We
are
taking
this
path
because
these
elected
trustees,
who
gladly
take
our
taxpayer
money,
have
consistently
over
the
last
18
months,
disregarded
all
of
our
all
of
our
efforts
to
protect
the
children
when
they
are
in
the
wrong
they
resort
to
name-calling.
The
library
director
has
labeled
us
as
Christian
nationalists.
G
They
pass
out
flyers
in
front
of
the
library
which
is
breaking
their
own
rule,
calling
us
extremists
just
for
wanting
to
protect
our
children
and,
unlike
the
West
ADA
School
District,
the
Meridian
library's
book
collection
and
reconsideration
policies
do
not
involve
the
public
taxpayer.
The
law,
the
director
and
trustees,
make
final
decisions.
All
of
our
book,
reconsiderations
were
denied.
That
is
one
of
their
tactics.
G
We
we
met
with
the
director
and
trustees
as
a
group
and
individually
to
discuss
ways.
We
can
alert
parents
to
the
contents
of
this
material.
The
answer
was
always
no,
they
know
better
they're
Librarians,
some
of
our
members
submitted
applications
for
vacant
board
seats
in
July
of
22.
Trustees
have
six-year
terms.
They
can
they
conveniently
picked
a
trustee
that
donated
to
the
library
and
another
trustee.
That
is
an
employee
of
the
board
chairman
at
a
different
organization,
so
you
either
have
to
pay
for
a
seat
or
you
have
to
be
in
the
Chairman's
Inner
Circle.
G
We
have
submitted
public
records
requests
which
they
want
us
to
pay
for
or
just
ignore
us
or
they
label
US
Paper
terrorists.
If
we
don't
agree
with
them,
they
disregard
you
or
publicly
call
you
a
name
in
order
to
shut
us
down
for
an
August
22
trustee
meeting,
Meridian
city
council
member
Liz
Strader
went
on
social
media
and
whipped
up
her
online
mob,
most
of
whom
didn't
even
live
in
Meridian
to
fill
up
the
speakers
list
hours
before
the
trustee
meeting.
G
So
our
supporters
did
not
have
the
opportunity
to
speak
typical,
mob
tactics
out
of
Rules
for
Radicals
and
then
in
November
of
2022,
tired
of
hearing
our
comments.
They
completely
shut
down
public
discourse
for
the
foreseeable
future.
That
was
the
last
straw.
As
you
can
see,
they
gladly
take
our
tax
dollars,
but
have
a
disregard
and
a
disdain
for
our
input,
taxation
without
representation.
That's
why
we
are
here.
G
Our
state
legislature
has
failed
to
protect
our
children,
the
Meridian
mayor
and
city
council
only
Shrugged
their
shoulders
and
say
that's
not
our
problem,
so
we,
the
people,
must
turn
to
you,
our
County
Commissioners.
With
the
only
option
we
have
left
re-establishment
of
the
Meridian
library
district
through
a
democratic
process.
G
We
have
already
started
Gathering
signatures
for
this
petition
to
re-establish
District.
Once
the
new
district
is
re-established
with
a
new
board
appointed
by
our
commissioners,
we
will
start
working
on
making
changes
to
the
bylaws,
to
involve
the
public
taxpayer
in
their
collection
policies
and
their
reconsideration
policies
and,
most
importantly,
to
re-establish
public
discourse.
Protecting
our
children
takes
work.
We
are
prepared
to
do
that.
Honestly.
We
don't
really
even
need
to
be
here.
They
could
have
worked
with
us,
they
could
have,
but
they
chose
to
say
no.
They
can
stop
this
process.
G
They
can
all
resign
today
and
allow
you
the
Commissioners
to
appoint
a
new
trustee
board
in
line
with
Community
standards,
but
they
won't
because
they
have
an
agenda
to
fulfill
an
agenda
that
is
anti-children,
anti-family,
anti-free
speech
and
anti-community.
All
we
ask
is
that
you,
our
County
Commissioners,
have
the
moral
and
political
courage
to
allow
we
the
people
to
decide.
Aren't
we
still
in
a
government
by
the
people
and
for
the
people.
We
ask
you
to
let
us
pursue
the
Democratic
process.
G
B
H
You
for
having
me
today,
my
name
is
Pastor
Sheridan
and
I'm.
A
representative
of
an
organization
called
gaze
against
groomers
gays
against
groomers
is
a
coalition
of
gay
people
who
oppose
the
recent
trend
of
sexualizing
children
under
the
guise
of
lgbtq
inclusion.
I
am
here
today
to
help
the
very
brave
parents
and
concerned
citizens
of
Meridian
Idaho
in
their
efforts
to
bring
about
the
re-establishment
of
the
library
district,
with
a
new
board
of
directors
and
to
stop
direct
access
by
minors
to
sexually
explicit
materials.
H
This
is
why
there
is
pornography
without
limitations
in
the
library.
This
is
why
those
in
charge,
the
library,
refuse
the
very
simple
request
to
require
only
adults
or
children,
with
parental
consent
to
rent
out
illicit
materials
from
the
library
it
is
there
specifically.
So
all
children
can
access
it.
H
The
people
that
demand
these
books
remain
in
the
library
for
children
to
access
do
so
because
they
want
every
aspect
of
a
gay
person's
life
to
be
centered
around
our
sexuality.
These
people,
unknowingly,
are
the
very
mirror
image
of
the
bigots
we
had
to
fight
for
the
right
to
merely
just
exist.
To
think
that
a
gay
person's,
let
alone
a
gay
child
sexuality,
is
so
Paramount
to
who
they
are,
that
they
need
literature
about
various
kinds
of
explicit
sex
acts
just
to
exist
is
well
bigotry.
H
It
is
no
different
than
a
racist
looking
in
the
face
of
a
racial
minority
and
telling
him
that
he
needs
to
act
a
certain
way
because
of
the
color
of
his
skin.
Please
help
the
concerned
citizens
of
Meridian
to
reclaim
their
Library
literally.
All
they
want
is
some
transparency
and
for
tax
paying
parents
to
be
able
to
protect
their
children
from
illicit
materials.
These
are
the
most
reasonable
people
I've
ever
met.
H
There
are
some
who
have
labeled
this
Brave
group
of
souls
as
bigots
or
Christian
nationalists.
They
are
neither
of
these
things.
I'm,
bisexual
and
they
have
open
welcomed
me
with
open
arms
and
treated
me
like
family.
The
people
who
Levy
such
false
accusations
against
good
people
trying
to
do
the
right
thing
protect
children
are
the
same
ones
who
have
labeled
our
organization
gazed
against
groomers
as
a
far-right
anti-lgbtq
hate
group
keep
in
mind
we're
a
group
full
of
gay
people,
the
lesbian,
gay,
bisexual
and
trans
or
lgbnt
people
that
I
consider
to
be
my
allies.
H
H
And
the
same
goes
for
the
kind
folks
that
make
up
the
concerned
citizens
of
Meridian.
These
people
believe
in
the
beauty
of
child
and
innocence.
That's
why
they
don't
want
minors
to
have
direct
access
to
these
books.
Another
reason
they
don't
want
these
materials
distributed
freely
to
all
children
by
people
using
lgbtq
inclusion
as
a
shield
is
because
they
see
how
negatively
it
affects
us.
They
see
the
torment
we
are
put
through
when
we
think
about
young
innocent
Minds
introduced
to
such
adult
Concepts
as
a
supposed
way
to
bring
about
more
gay
acceptance.
H
H
2023,
the
concerted
citizens
of
Meridian
do
not
want
my
people
to
be
forever
defined
by
her
sexuality
and
they
do
not
want
hateful
bigots
to
harm
any
innocent
member
of
the
lgbs
and
T's,
and
that
is
exactly
what
will
happen
if
children
are
given
unfettered
access
to
these
kinds
of
books.
The
people
that
insist
on
these
books
being
in
circulation
are
the
ones
putting
gay
people
in
the
gravest
of
danger.
The
concerned
citizens
of
Meridian
are
our
allies.
H
They
care
about
us
and
we
need
you
good
folks
to
be
our
allies
as
well
help
these
people
reclaim
their
Library.
They
don't
want
the
library
to
go
anywhere.
They
love
the
library.
They
only
have
a
few
very
simple.
Reasonable
requests
help
gay
people
in
our
battle
to
avoid
being
defined
by
what
was
for
so
long
used
to
oppress
us.
Are
we
gay?
Yes,
but
we
are
so
much
more
than
that.
We
are
fathers,
mothers,
brothers,
sisters,
aunts
and
uncles.
We
are
truck
drivers,
accountants,
business,
Executives,
writers,
poets,
philosophers
and
Patriots.
H
Please
do
not
let
the
people
that
insist
on
forcing
pornography
on
children
to
appease
a
radical
sect
of
the
lgbtq
community
strip
away
our
Humanity.
We
are
tired
of
fighting
for
our
right
to
live.
We
just
want
to
live
our
lives.
We
don't
want
to
push
or
recruit
children
into
being
like
us.
We
just
want
to
be,
and
you
know
we
often
see
people
debating
what
it
means
to
be
gay,
but
for
us
to
be
gay
is
to
just
be
human
help
us
and
help
the
concerned
citizens
of
Meridian.
Thank
you.
Thank.
B
You
Mr
Han
I
have
a
couple
of
questions
for
you.
If
you
could
for
me,
yeah
for
you
and,
and
maybe
some
of
the
Commissioners
may
have
a
question
as
well.
Thank
you.
Okay,.
B
Yes,
sir,
thank
you
for
your
your
presentation.
You
indicated.
In
fact,
you
started
off
the
the
discussion
that
you
love
the
library
and
that
you
need
the
library,
yes,
okay
and
then,
during
the
course
of
your
of
your
presentation,
you
suggested
that
the
only
way
to
fix
the
library
is
for
the
entire
board
to
resign
and
I'm
wondering.
B
Is
there
another
way
I
mean
if
if,
if,
if
the
board
would
would
do
something
with
the
material
that
you
find
offensive,
would
that
work
for
you
well.
G
Okay,
if
there
was
a
way
that
they
could
make,
this
make
this
information
available
to
parents
that
these
books,
like
like
a
book
jacket
or
something
online,
where
a
child
pulls
up
a
book,
and
it
says
this
may
contain
sexually
explicit
material.
G
G
Right
so
so
again,
if
it's,
it
can
be
as
simple
as
putting
a
book
jacket
on
these
on
this
material,
but
also
what
they
really
need
to
do.
Just
like
West
data
does
is
have
a
parent
Committee
involved
in
bringing
these
books
in
which
they
won't
do
right
and
also
there
needs
to
be
a
parent
Committee
involved
in
reconsideration.
Not
it's
not
just
this
library,
but
I
haven't
heard
of
any
Library
across
the
state
where
parents
have
tried
to
reconsider
books
where
they've
actually
taken
them
out.
F
Chair
yeah
go
ahead,
so
I
have
a
two-part
question.
Have
you
looked
at
the
other
libraries
of
the
Treasure
Valley
to
see
what
their
policies
are
regarding
the
situation
and
also
have
you
looked
Nationwide?
Is
there
some
kind
of
a
model
Library
policy
that
might
be
used
elsewhere
in
the
country
that
you're
looking
to
adopt.
G
Well,
I
haven't
looked
Nationwide
but,
as
you
may
or
may
not
know,
all
the
libraries
in
the
Treasure
Valley
from
Twin
Falls
all
the
way
to
Caldwell
are
all
interlinked.
So
it
doesn't
matter.
If
a
book
is
whether
it's
in
their
collection
or
in
the
Twin
Falls
collection,
they
will
deliver
these
books
to
your
door
so
and
as
far
as
the
policy
goes,
I
I
I
would
imagine
that
since
they're
all
interlinked-
and
you
can
get
these
books
from
anywhere,
their
policies
are
the
same
as
the
Meridian
library
policies.
F
Okay,
go
ahead,
Mr
chair!
Thank
you!
So
what
what
age
range
of
kids?
Are
you
generally
trying
to
focus
your
attention
on?
Is
it
every
everyone
under
18
everyone
on
under
13
younger?
Would
your
ideal
what
age
range
would
your
ideal
policy
apply
to?
Well.
G
G
Ten
and
above
that,
all
have
this
material
I
mean
they
make
they
may
it
may
be
drawn
out
in
a
nice
nice
cute
way
to
to
appeal
to
those
kids,
but
you
know:
there's
a
there's
that
age
range
below
10
to
10,
to
below,
from
4
to
13,
that
they're
targeting
and
then
there's
material
for
13
and
above
that
is
some
of
it's
pretty
vile,
so
they're
they're
targeting
the
whole
the
whole
Spectrum.
G
So
I
think
parents
should
know
that
this
material
exists
and
somehow
that
you
know
if
they
bring
a
book
home,
they
may
not
want
to
show
it
to
their
children.
Now
if
a
parent
wants
to
go,
take
it
out
and
show
it
to
their
kid,
be
my
guest
I,
don't
care
like
I
said
we're
not
Banning
books,
we're
not
taking
books
out
of
the
library
we
just.
We
just
want
parents
to
know
what's
in
these
books
and
they
don't
okay.
F
Mr,
chair
yeah
go
ahead,
so
are
you
basically
advocating
that
the
books
in
the
library
would
would
have
sort
of
like
with
movies
rating
on
them,
if
they're
controversial
and
that
somehow,
if
they
get
to
the
counter,
if
a
minor
brings
it
to
the
counter,
the
librarian
would
say
you're
underage,
you
can't
check
this
out.
Yeah.
G
Exactly
if
you
go
into
a
video
store,
if
they're
well
now
dates
that
predates
me
right.
That
dates
me.
But
if
you
go,
if
you,
if
you
go
by
a
violent
video
game
right,
it
says
for
mature
audiences.
If
you
go
to
a
movie,
it
says
R
right
for
for
mature
audiences.
Why
not
for
books
right
and
it's
just
really
as
simple
as
a
book
jacket
on
it.
That
says
this
contains
sexually
explicit
material
and
let
the
parent
decide
whether
they
want
to
take
that
home
or
not.
F
G
It's
behind
the
counter
or
a
red.
A
red
flashing
light
comes
up
when
the
child
goes
to
take
it
out,
I
mean
we
we've
heard
of
it.
We've
heard
of
a
child
coming
in
and
taking
out
50
Shades
of
Gray
took
it
to
the
counter.
They
checked
it
out.
No
questions
asked
so
there
needs
to
be
some
control
put
in
place
for
that
right,
because
if
we
have
controls
and
all
these
other
aspects
of
Our
Lives,
why
not?
The
library.
G
F
E
Commissioner,
I
just
stood
up,
tell
us
what
the
other
two
Commissioners
just
said.
You
you
indicated
again,
like
the
chairman
said
we
are
today
not
what's
happening
in
the
past.
So
what
are
some
of
the
other
ideas?
We
got
that
you
might
have
explored
that
might
still
be
options
or
potentially
options
at
this
point
again
today
forward
today,.
G
Forward,
like
I,
said
parents
to
be
parents
and
taxpayers
to
be
involved
in
the
collection
policy,
just
like
at
West
data
parents
and
taxpayers
to
be
involved
in
the
reconsideration
policy,
all
right
systems
in
place
that,
whether
it's
a
book,
jacket
or
online
that
indicate
that
this
book
may
have
sexually
explicit
material
in
it.
You
may
want
to
look
through
it
before
you,
bring
it
home
and
take
it
to
your
give
it
to
your
kid,
having
a
minor,
not
being
able
to
take
this
material
out
when
they
go
check
things
out.
G
Will
that's
one
of
the
issues
that
we
had?
Is
we
had
parents
who
had
these
things
delivered
to
their
door
and
because
it
was
delivered
in
a
library
truck,
it
was
all
legal
until
it
left
the
truck.
If
any
of
us
would
take
these
books
and
take
it
to
our
neighbor
and
try
to
give
it
to
their
10
year
old,
that
parent
could
potentially
have
us
arrested.
B
You,
okay,
who's,
going
to
represent
the
library,
okay,.
J
Chair
Commissioners,
thank
you
for
this
opportunity
to
share
the
value
that
Meridian
library
districts
brings
to
its
Community.
I
am
Megan.
Larson
I
am
chair
of
the
meridian
Library
District
Board
of
Trustees.
Last
month,
the
petition
filed
to
dissolve
the
Meridian
library
district
had
several
requests.
One
was
to
ask
the
Ada
County
Commissioners
to
appoint
an
interim
Board
of
Trustees
to
reorganize
the
library
entity
upon
dissolution.
J
This
process
is
not
contemplated
in
the
law,
and
you
outlined
the
true
and
accurate
steps
in
the
dissolution
process
as
a
news
release
with
the
last
step
being
quote.
If
dissolution
is
approved,
the
Board
of
Commissioners
must
then
dispose
of
the
district's
property
for
the
benefit
of
those
in
the
audience.
I
want
to
make
sure
it's
very
clear
that
the
purpose
here
tonight
is
determine
whether
to
place
the
dissolution
question
on
the
ballot.
J
If
you
determine
this
item
should
move
forward
and
if
the
voters
were
to
approve
dissolution,
the
library
will
not
be
reorganized
in
a
fashion
more
to
the
personal
liking
of
the
petitioners.
It
will
cease
to
exist
entirely
with
every
building,
every
computer
and
every
book
disposed
of,
and
the
remaining
funds
deposited
to
the
general
fund
of
Ada
County.
J
J
There
are
legal
steps
in
place
to
address
concerns
with
trustees,
namely
to
persuade
voters
to
vote
for
trustees
that
share
the
vision
and
values
the
petitioners
have
for
public
libraries,
from
the
outpouring
of
support
the
Meridian
library
has
received
over
the
past
several
weeks.
It
does
not
appear
that
the
majority
of
our
voters
in
our
community
share
the
petitioner's
vision
for
public
libraries.
J
Regular
elections
of
Trustees
are
the
way
voters
decide
if
the
library
is
being
governed
properly
in
much
the
same
way
that
the
petitioners
seek
to
negate
the
choices
of
Meridian
residents
that
the
the
choices
Meridian
residents
made
for
their
elected
representatives.
They
also
seek
to
control
the
choices
Library
parents
patrons
may
make
about
what
they
read.
J
J
There
are
a
handful
of
items
in
the
collection
that
the
petitioners
object
to.
They
seek
to
impose
their
personal
viewpoints
about
those
materials
on
all
the
people
of
Meridian
and
would
rather
shut
the
library
down
completely
than
allow
individuals
and
parents
to
continue
to
make
their
own
choices
about
what
to
read
and
what
is
right
for
their
own
families,
which
meridian's
families
have
done
successfully
for
decades.
J
Meridian
library
district
strongly
supports
the
rights
and
responsibilities
of
individuals
and
parents
to
make
their
own
choices
about
what
to
read.
No
one
ever
has
to
read
a
book
that
they
don't
want
to
read,
and
no
one,
not
trustees
and
not
special
interest
groups,
get
to
dictate
choices
to
Citizens
about
what
to
read
at
Meridian
library
district.
We
provide
access
to
materials
with
a
broad
variety
of
viewpoints,
information
and
stories
that
our
community
is
interested
in
and
we
leave
the
choices
about
which
of
those
materials
to
read
entirely
up
to
them.
J
The
Idaho
code
states
that
the
process
for
dissolving
a
library
district
is
the
same
as
the
process
for
forming
one,
namely
to
place
the
question
on
the
ballot
to
place
the
question
on
the
ballot.
You
must
make
the
determination
that
dissolving
the
library
district
isn't
keeping
with
the
public
with
the
policy
purpose
for
public
libraries
established
by
the
legislature
in
Idaho
code,
section
33-2701
for
the
benefit
of
folks
in
attendance,
I'm,
going
to
read
that
code.
J
By
so
declaring
the
state
acknowledges
that
the
ability
of
its
citizens
to
access
information
has
a
critical
impact
on
the
state's
educational
success,
Economic
Development
provision
for
an
informed
electorate
and
overall
quality
of
life.
It
is
the
purpose
of
this
chapter
to
integrate,
extend
and
add
to
existing
Library
services
and
resources,
so
that
Public
Library
service
may
be
available
to
all
residents
of
the
state,
from
infancy
through
adulthood,
beginning
in
the
formative
years
and
continuing
for
lifelong
learning.
J
My
remaining
comments
will
focus
on
how
Meridian
library
district
continues
to
fill
this
policy
purpose
in
an
exemplary
way.
The
accident
Club
founded
them,
your
general
Meridian
library,
in
1924.
As
a
volunteer-run
organization,
as
the
community
grew,
it
became
clear
to
Residents
that
the
need
for
Library
services
in
Meridian
could
no
longer
be
supported
just
by
volunteers
and
the
voters
established
the
Meridian
Free
Library
District
on
August
27
1974.
J
These
include
the
technology
and
business
focused
Unbound
location
in
downtown
Meridian,
opened
in
2021,
The,
Orchard,
Park
location
set
to
open
this
may
in
North
Meridian
and
the
Planned
Branch
for
South
Meridian,
which
currently
is
in
the
design
process
throughout
our
history.
As
we
have
grown
together
with
our
community,
we
have
provided
Meridian
residents
the
ability
to
access
information
in
fiscal
year
2022
there
were
more
than
297
thousand
visits
to
our
locations
and
one
million
two
hundred
and
seventy
eight
thousand
print
and
digital
items
were
checked
out.
J
J
J
Meridian
library
supports
educational
success.
We
have
a
variety
of
story
times
for
kids
and
parents
such
as
baby
time,
pajama,
Story,
Time
and
silly
song
and
dance
to
promote
literacy
and
reading
for
kids
in
a
fun
and
engaging
way.
Our
story
times
are
popular.
In
fact,
we
had
so
many
attendees
at
Silverstone,
our
smaller
branch
in
South
Meridian
that
we
had
to
repeat
program
offerings
in
order
to
meet
demand
to
promote
kindergarten
Readiness.
J
We
have
resources
and
programs
for
extensive
homeschooling
Community,
such
as
our
homeschool
Library
program,
which
focus
on
on
science,
technology,
engineering
and
math
content
for
homeschool
families.
We
have
Spanish
English,
Story,
Hour
and
American
Sign
Language
conversation
club
for
folks
learning
new
languages
in
FY
22.
J
Also,
during
the
summer
of
2022,
we
presented
140
programs
at
our
location
that
serve
7809
Youth
and
served
an
additional
1262
kids
at
11
Community
partner
facilities,
Meridian
library
promotes
economic
development.
We
partner
with
the
Department
of
Labor
and
the
small
business
administration
that
hosts
office
hours
at
our
locations.
The
Department
of
Labor
reported
that
the
job
fair
they
recently
held
at
the
library
was
the
most
well
attended
they've
had
since
they
resumed
in-person
fares
with
over
100
attendees.
J
J
We
have
research,
databases
and
access
to
online
learning
to
help
job
Seekers
and
entrepreneurs
conduct
their
research
and
build
their
skills.
Meridian
library
helps
to
provide
for
an
informed
electorate.
We
provide
free
access
to
patrons
to
a
variety
of
news,
media
sources
that
would
otherwise
be
behind
a
paywall.
We
have
provided
free
space
for
political
format,
forums
such
as
coffee
with
the
legislatures
legislators
and
a
debate
among
primary
candidates
for
office.
J
In
the
last
election
cycle,
we
have
provided
classes
on
digital
information,
literacy
to
help
citizens
be
informed
and
Safe
Community
consumers
of
Internet
content,
Meridian
library
enhances
the
overall
quality
of
life.
The
library
is
a
vibrant
place
for
Community
Connection.
We
provide
a
welcoming
space
for
everyone
to
make
social
connections.
Just
a
few
examples
of
our
many
offerings
are
the
needles,
Hooks
and
books
club
that
comes
together
to
work
on
crafts
and
talk
our
memory
Cafe.
J
That
gives
folks
with
Dimension
opportunity
to
socialize
and
learn
in
a
safe
environment,
a
club
for
chess
enthusiasts
meet
and
play
social
Saturdays
that
give
folks
that
are
feeling
isolated,
a
place
to
meet.
Others
play
board
games
and
socialize
brick
club
for
kids
that
like
to
build
with
Legos
and,
of
course,
our
extreme
book
nerd
group
for
our
voracious
readers
that
challenge
themselves
to
Read
50
books.
In
a
year
in
fiscal
year,
22
there
were
500
registrants
and
260
finishers.
J
We
provide
volunteer
opportunities
for
our
computer
community
members
that
want
them,
and
we
currently
have
91
active
volunteers.
We
offer
classes
of
interests
to
our
communities,
such
as
art
class
workshops
for
writers
and
gardening
class.
In
fact,
I
was
at
the
library
most
of
the
day
last
Saturday,
and
it
was
jam-packed
with
more
than
75
attendees
at
a
gardening
class.
In
addition
to
those
there
to
browse
the
stacks,
pick
up
their
whole
use
the
computer
and
visit
the
friends
of
the
library
book
sale.
J
There
was
not
an
available
space
to
be
found
in
our
parking
lot.
Consistent
with
the
policy
directed
from
the
state
of
Idaho.
We
provide
Library
service
for
all
residents,
from
infancy
to
adulthood,
for
lifelong
learning.
Libraries
are
for
everyone,
so
we
have
a
wide
variety
of
materials,
resources
and
programs,
and
not
every
one
of
those
things
is
going
to
be
of
interest
to
every
resident.
J
So
we
have
many
resources
for
young
readers.
We
are
not
a
place
exclusively
for
children.
Libraries
are
for
everyone
from
infancy
all
the
way
through
adulthood,
and
not
every
item
is
going
to
be
appropriate
for
every
reader,
but
I
guarantee
that
we
do
have
something
for
everyone,
which
is
exactly
what
the
purpose
of
a
public
library
is.
J
J
In
2019,
Meridian
library
was
awarded
the
national
medal
for
Museum
and
Library
service
I.
Remember
the
Great
Joy
I
felt
that
day
at
the
award
ceremony
hearing
from
leadership
in
our
communities,
such
as
mayor,
Simpson,
Senator,
risch
and
representative
Fulcher
about
how
the
Meridian
library
district
is
a
genuine
point
of
pride.
I
am
honored
and
humbled
to
be
a
part
of
it.
I
know
that
our
residents
greatly
value
what
Meridian
library
provides
to
the
community,
and
we
respectfully
request
that
you
deny
this
position.
J
B
You
would
you
stand
for
a
few
questions.
I
would
have
a
couple
questions
for
you
it.
It
appears
to
me
just
based
on
the
first,
a
little
little
testimony
that
we've
received
that
there's
not
a
broad
difference
between
I
mean
the
the
people
that
brought
this
petition
said
they
love
it
and
they
need
it.
That's
pretty
much
what
you've
just
said.
You
love
it
and
you
need
it
correct,
correct
and
the
petitioner
said:
there's
only
a
few
books
that
they
believe
the
children
shouldn't
have
access
to.
B
J
Mr,
chair
Commissioners
a
couple
of
things.
Of
course,
a
parent
must
consent
to
to
get
their
child
a
library
card
to
begin
with,
and
we
have
lots
of
tools
available
to
parents
to
monitor
what
their
kids
are
checking
out.
They
can
receive
an
email
every
time
a
book
is
checked
out
by
their
child.
They
can
log
into
their
child's
account
and
see
what
what
materials
that
child
has
checked
out.
Every
item
in
our
collection
is
on
our
catalog,
so
they
can
look
up
a
book
and
see
what
it's
about.
J
For
my
own
personal
self,
when
my
children
were
young,
I
had
the
library
card,
so
all
the
like,
when
we
visited
the
library
on
the
weekends
and
checked
out
books,
they
were
checked
out
on
my
card.
I
knew
everything
that
my
children
were
checking
out
Simply
and
easily.
We
have
lots
of
tools
that
we
can
share
with
parents
so
that
they
can
use
the
library
in
a
way
that's
consistent
with
the
values
that
they
have
for
their
own
families.
J
What
we
know
is
those
values
are
different
for
every
family
that
comes
into
our
library
and
what
we
believed
strongly
is
that
individuals
do
not
get
to
dictate.
What
are
the
correct
choices
for
other
families
they
get
to
Monitor
and
choose
books
for
their
own
family,
but,
what's
being
asked
for
here
is
to
limit
the
choices
of
other
families,
and
we
don't
believe
that
that's
appropriate
for.
B
Okay,
any
other
questions.
Mr
chair,
yeah,
good.
F
Well,
thank
you
for
your
testimony.
So
I
mean
I.
Think
it's
pretty
well
established
in
this
country
that
it's
either
illegal
or
generally
disfavored
to
allow
children
to
have
access
to
certain
adult
materials,
whether
that's
in
a
movie
theater
or
a
bookstore.
Even
even
comic
books
have
warnings
on
them
these
days,
it's
either
criminalized
to
some
degree
or
or
generally
not
allowed
at
you
know,
commercial
establishments
and
they've
managed
to
generally
come
up
with
policies
and
procedures
to
not
make
such
materials
available
to
children.
F
How
come
the
library
can't
come
up
with
some
similar
program
simply
to
keep
adult
materials
out
of
the
hands
of
children?
Obviously,
children
are
you
know,
attracted
to
adult
things.
There's
always
that
Temptation
for
kids.
They
want
to
go
see
what
what
the
adults
are
reading
and
there's
some
obviously
books
that
no
I
don't
think
any
parent
would
want
their
child
to
check
out.
So
how
come
the
library
seems
to
be
the
one
institution
that
can't
figure
out
a
way
to
keep
those
from
children
checking
them
out?
Not
the
parents,
but
just
the
kids.
J
That's
on
this
topic
and
I'll.
Try
to
be
pithy,
I
think
it's
important
to
start
off
with
just
taking
a
step
back
and
think
about
what
actually
happens
at
the
library
most
parents
accompany
their
young
children
to
the
library
and
are
engaged
with
the
selections
that
their
children
are
making
teams
that
may
be
in
the
library
with
our
out.
J
Their
parents
are
generally
trusted
by
their
parents
to
make
choices
that
comport
with
their
family
values
and
the
rules
that
that
their
family
has
and
the
teams
that
that
violate
those
rules
will
face
the
normal
consequences
of
breaking
family
Rules,
just
like
they
would
for
any
other
role.
That
would
happen.
The
vast
majority
of
our
community
parents
are
comfortable
and
confident
with
their
parental
responsibilities
and
are
no
way
asking
the
library
to
take
on
that
role.
For
them,
you
made
a
comparison
with
movies.
J
J
Parents
can
take
their
children
to
whatever
movie
they
choose
and
we
all
know
that
they
often
do
what
movies
kids
view
are
ultimately
subject
to
parental
choices
in
much
the
same
way
that
book
the
books,
kids
reads
are
subject
to
parental
choices.
Movie
theaters
are
private
businesses
and,
as
such,
they
have
their
own
First
Amendment
freedoms.
They
can
generally
operate
their
businesses
as
they
see
fit
and
they
can
run
unrated
movies
if
they
wish
to.
J
As
you
all
know,
the
oath
of
office
for
an
elected
official
in
Idaho
requires
us,
first
and
foremost,
to
swear
that
we
will
uphold
the
Constitution.
We
trustees
take
our
constitutional
duties
very
seriously
and
stand
together
in
opposition
to
censorship,
but
in
support
of
every
family
being
having
the
opportunity
to
make
their
own
choices
for
materials.
E
Yes,
I
guess
a
dovetail
like
I
did
on
the
last
one.
I
I
with
the
questions
were
already
asked.
As
you
quoted
37
33
701,
it
is
the
public
policy
that
Idaho
to
have
libraries
available
to
the
public.
Several
suggestions
were
made
by
Mr,
Han
and
other
others
regarding
a
variety
of
options.
To
do
some
of
the
things
that
would
protect
in
their
mind,
and
we
have
those
protections.
As
commissioner
Davidson
said
on,
we
don't
allow
tobacco
products
for
a
certain
age.
We
don't
allow
alcohol
to
a
certain
age.
E
So
is
there
anything
that
was
suggested
that
again,
like
the
chairman,
said
going
forward?
That
could
be
a
way
to
address
some
of
the
issues
that
the
library
would
consider
addressing.
Some
of
the
issues
regarding
that
they've
raised
I
mean
he.
He
mentioned
a
variety
of
different
things
in
commissioner
Davidson
said
did
as
well
as
commissioner
back.
Are
there
any
other
options
that
you
might
think
would
be
available
in
Reliance
of
what
he
acts?
What
he
asked.
J
So
Mr
chair,
commissioner
Daley,
the
challenge
for
for
the
trustees
is,
is
the
fiduciary
responsibility
that
we
face
and
the
type
of
restrictions
that
that
the
petitioners
seek
present
a
legal
and
Financial
Risk
to
the
library.
There
have
been
numer
numerous
court
cases
on
the
exactly
the
type
of
restrictions
that
they're
talking
about
in
Kramer
versus
Bureau
of
police
in
1992,
the
court
described
public
libraries
as
the
quintessential
locus
of
the
receipt
of
information
in
the
Board
of
Education
versus
Pico
in
1982.
J
The
court
further
stated
the
government
officials
may
not
remove
books
from
shelves
simply
because
they
dislike
the
ideas
contained
in
those
books
and
seek
by
their
removal
to
prescribe
what
shall
be
orthodox,
most
applicable
in
the
Sun
versus
Wichita
Falls
case
in
its
ruling
overturning
exactly
the
type
of
restrictions
the
petitioners
seek
to
oppose.
The
Court
ruled
that
the
government's
ability,
not
a
private
business,
but
the
government's
ability
to
restrict
patrons
First
Amendment
rights
is
extremely
narrow.
J
B
Thank
you,
okay.
Thank
you.
Well
Megan.
Thank
you.
Thank
you,
commissioner.
I
appreciate
you
clarifying
the
record
and
agreeing
with
me
on
on
the
purpose
of
this
hearing
that
we
don't
have
the
power
to
appoint
a
board,
as
was
suggested,
but
all
we
can
do
tonight
or
not
tonight,
but
when
we
make
this
decision
is
decide
whether
this
goes
on
the
ballot
or
not,
and
that's
the
only
thing
that
we're
that
that's
before
us
so.
B
Right,
thank
you
all
right.
Both
the
the
opponents
and
and
proponents
of
this
a
petition
have
had
the
opportunity
to
present
themselves,
and
now
we
will
hear
from
public
testimony
and
we
have
a
list.
I
want
to
show
you
the
sign
up
sheet.
So
the
last
sign
up
here
now,
there's
not
a
requirement.
If
you
don't
feel
like
you
need
to
say
a
lot,
you
can
just
say
I
opposed
to
this
or
I'm
opposed
or
I
support
it.
One
of
the
two
without.
F
K
B
So
we'll
start
out,
the
First
on
our
list
is
Robert
Simpson.
L
Thank
you,
commission,
for
allowing
me
to
be
here
this
evening:
Robert
Simpson,
33,
East,
Broadway,
Meridian
Idaho,
as
I'm
here
representing
the
city
of
Meridian
and
the
other
City
Council
Members.
This
evening
you
have
a
letter
against
this
solution
at
the
Meridian
library
district
from
the
city.
Regarding
this
issue
of
this
hearing
this
evening,
I,
don't
think
that
we're
here
today
to
really
get
to
the
content
issues
I
I.
That
may
be
where
a
lot
of
the
conversation
goes,
but
it
does
go
back
to
what
you
could
just
talked
with.
L
Commission
commissioner
trustee
sorry
trustee
Larson
on
this,
but
we're
here
today
because
of
Idaho
that,
frankly,
should
be
updated
to
mirror
other
thresholds
for
seeking
public
vote
versus
the
current
law,
allowing
50
people
to
file
a
petition.
If
you
look
at
Idaho
laws,
it
pertains
to
referendums.
L
Recalls
the
threshold
is
fairly
high
in
this
card,
but
I
think
this
is
a
part
of
Idaho
law
that
really
has
not
been
looked
at
and
addressed
at
this
point
in
time.
But
this
petitioned
on
what
we're
here
to
talk
about
dissolution
does
not
get
to
have
a
productive
outcome
on
the
issues
that
we're
talking
about
in
terms
of
content.
L
I
think
if
we
have
that
expectation
as
parents
at
the
Meridian
library
districts,
has
appropriate
selection
and
access
policies
so
that
parents
can
monitor
their
children
and
access
their
information.
We
could
probably
put
this
issue
behind
us
to
move
on
with
other
more
important
things
in
this
world.
L
But
if
this
issue
was
placed
on
a
dissolution
was
placed
on
a
ballot,
I
do
believe
it
would
fill
as
people
like
myself
can't
imagine
living
in
a
community
like
Meridian
that
doesn't
include
a
library
as
our
partner
in
providing
essential
services
to
our
community,
as
evidenced
by
the
comments
received
for
the
record.
We
ask
that
the
Commissioners
deny
the
permission,
petition,
requests,
look
forward
and
encourage
everyone
to
vote
on
May
16
for
the
Board
of
Trustees
as
a
way
to
address
this
issue
this
year
and
every
two
years.
B
Thank
you,
I
think
you
have
a
I
have
your
letter
here
by
the
way
that
you
sent
to
us,
plus
we
have
every
other
person
that
submitted
an
email
or
here
as
well.
We
do
have
everybody.
B
We've
been
asking
a
lot
of
plot,
so
I
I
appreciate
that.
But
please
please
don't.
M
N
B
Because
if
we
want
to
have
this
to
be
a
dignified,
but
anyway
Mr
Mayor
I,
you,
you
said
a
sentence
in
here-
that
I
think
is
good
having
reasonable
selection
and
access
practices
and
policies
set
by
the
district
for
age.
Relevant
material
is
important
so
that
the
district
collection
reflects
Community
standards
and
respects
individual
choice
of
parents
and
families
and
I
I
I
agree
with
that.
Do
you
think
there
is
a
process
that
could
be
in
place?
It
would
that
maybe
they
don't
already
have-
or
maybe
they
could
buttress
it?
L
You
know
my
wife
handles
the
going
to
the
Library
part
for
our
family,
so
I
I
won't
speak
to
their
process.
Really
it
comes
down
to
you
know
the
conversation
I've
I've
had
individual
conversations
with
the
former
Library
director,
the
current
Library
director,
the
trustees
I've
also
spoken
with
some
of
the
concerned.
Citizens
I've,
given
them
all
my
viewpoints,
my
personal
viewpoints,
but
being
here
on
behalf
of
the
city
as
well.
As
you
know,
this
is
not
our
area
where
we
get
into
these
elements.
L
I
don't
want
to
recommend
them,
but
I
think
that
it's
we
we
understand
that
they're
important
and
I
encouraged
a
dialogue
to
exist
between
the
two
parties
and
the
rest
of
the
community,
because
it's
not
just
about
what
one
small
group
of
people
wants
us,
but
what
we
all
want.
So
what
we
all
desire
in
in
regards
to
that
well.
B
F
Chair,
yes,
thanks
for
coming
Mr
Mayor,
so
some
cities
have
their
own
libraries.
The
city
runs
the
library
other
areas
have
a
library
district.
Has
the
city
of
Meridian
had
any
discussions
about
if
the
library
were
to
be
dissolved?
If
the
district
were
to
be
solved,
the
city
could
take
over
the
libraries.
L
The
only
in
this
context,
with
with
people,
not
necessarily
amongst
the
city,
but
unless
there's
a
way
to
transfer
the
levy
that's
received
for
those
services
from
a
budgetary
standpoint
we
taking
on
the
Library
without
additional
funding,
to
provide
all
the
staff
and
resources,
it's
really
not
applicable
way,
especially
with
the
way
that
the
current
state
law
is.
You
know
we're
limited
to
how
we
can
grow
our
budgets.
I,
don't
think
we
could
grow
our
budget
fast
enough
to
cover
the
increased
costs
of
expenses.
That
would
exists
so
from
that
perspective.
L
No,
but
you
you
could
go
and
change
the
state
law
and
see
if
they
wanted.
If
someone
just
you
know,
dissolved
the
district
and
really
that's
a
bigger
issue.
I
love
this
stuff
when
it
comes
to
the
policy
and
you
look
at
taxing
districts
and
how
they
overlap
and
what
would
it
take
same
thing
with
the
Cemetery
District
Cemetery
districts
within
Meridian?
If
it
were
to
dissolve,
we
would
need
that
taxing
Levy
in
order
to
help
provide
the
service
in
that
regards
so
I
think
that's
an
essential
part
of
this
absent
that
you
know.
B
O
B
Not
an
insignificant
number
for
a
city
like
yourself
and
I,
understand
with
the
budget
constraints
that
that
has
been
placed
on
every
local
government
that
might
be
difficult
to
do.
Is
there
any
other
questions
Mr
chair?
Yes,.
F
Mr
Mayor,
so
the
Idaho
legislature
is,
is
on
the
verge
of
passing
a
bill
that
would
affect
libraries
in
this.
You
know
exact
situation
regarding
certain
materials
to
minors.
The
fact
that
the
library
has
been
debating
these
bills
just
shows
the
escalation
that
that
that
this
issue
has
had
where
you
know
they
may
the
state
may
take
it
out
of
our
hands
altogether.
F
I'm,
certainly
not
happy
that
the
Meridian
library
district
couldn't
help
resolve
this
issue
before
it.
It
got
to
the
county.
Is
there
any
way
that
you,
as
the
leader
of
the
city
of
Meridian,
can
help
somehow
bring
the
two
sides
together
and
have
you
tried
to
be
an
Arbiter
at
all
between
the
two
sides
and
and
tried
to
use
your
own
expertise
and
diplomacy
to
have
a
a
resolution
of
this
issue?.
L
If
you
don't
have
people
that
can
get
along
with
the
community
or
you
don't
have
community
members
are
in
alignment
with
that.
That's
really
what
the
elect
election
process
is
for
to
set
those
standards
I'm
a
firm
believer
that,
if
I
don't
if
I,
don't
reflect
the
standards
and
values
of
the
city
of
Meridian,
I
shouldn't
be
mayor
of
that
Community.
If
the
library
board
and
districts
are
not
there
as
well,
then
no
am
I
willing
to.
L
If
both
groups
came
to
me
and
said,
help
us
solve
this,
will
you
I'd
absolutely
do
that,
but
I've
not
seen
that?
That's
where
the
issue
resolves
and
perhaps
the
legislature,
you
know
their
wisdom
some
days
and
all
their
not
wisdom.
Others
we'll
we'll
provide
a
Way
Forward
on
this,
so
many
bills
have
been
introduced.
I
think
the
last
couple
days,
I
don't
even
know
what
version
of
the
conversation
they're
on
at
this
point
in
time.
Unless
you
happen
to
know,
okay.
B
You,
yes,
okay.
We
next
have
Sarah
ebeling
Sarah
ebeling
here.
B
B
Q
M
B
F
And
if
if
people
want
to,
if
people
have
submitted
exhibits
or
emails
that
they
want
us
to
look
at
while
they're
testifying
just
let
us
know
you're
if
you've
submitted
something
if
you
have
an
exhibit
number
just
again,
your
name
it'd
be
attached
to
your
name
on
our
computer
screen
here.
Thank.
S
You
I'm
Stephanie
wheeler.
Do
you
need
my
address?
Yes,
874
East
Blue,
Heron,
Street,
Meridian,
Idaho
83646.
Thank
you.
I
wish
to
express
my
support
for
the
Meridian
library,
district
and
opposition
to
the
petition
to
dissolve
the
library
district
I've
lived
in
Meridian
for
29
years.
One
of
the
first
things
my
husband
and
I
did
after
we
bought
a
house
in
Meridian
was
go,
get
a
library
card.
The
library
is
one
of
the
things
that
made
us
feel
connected
to
the
community.
S
It's
always
been
one
of
my
favorite
things
about
living
in
Meridian
as
an
Avid
Reader.
Of
course,
I
rely
on
the
library
for
books,
audio
books
and
ebooks,
but
the
library
provides
so
much
more
than
that.
The
Meridian
library
district
truly
serves
the
community
and
the
programs
for
people.
They
have
programs
for
people
of
all
ages,
life
stages,
interests
and
abilities.
S
My
daughters
grew
up,
participating
in
story
times
after
school
programs
and
summer
reading
activities
and
I've
always
been
incredibly
impressed
with
the
library
staff
and
the
quality
of
resources
and
programs
I'm.
Also,
a
teacher
I've
taught
High
School
in
Meridian
for
almost
18
years,
I've
had
countless
students
over
the
years
that
have
relied
on
the
library
for
access
to
educational
materials,
computers
and
reliable
internet
access
outside
of
school
hours.
S
I
appreciate
that
the
library
contains
materials
that
support
a
wide
variety
of
perspectives,
because
that's
the
responsibility
of
a
library
to
include
materials
that
meet
the
needs
of
all
different
people
in
the
community.
Obviously
not
all
Library
materials
are
appropriate
for
children.
That's
why
the
library
is
organized
by
age
groups
into
sections
and
not
every
book
is
housed
in
the
children's
section.
S
It
was
always
my
responsibility
as
a
parent
to
monitor
what
my
children
read
and
the
library
does
offer
tools
for
student
or
for
parents
to
do
just
that
concerned.
Citizens
of
Meridian
do
not
speak
for
me.
They
do
not
have
the
right
to
decide
what
information
or
ideas
or
points
of
view
me
or
my
children
are
allowed
to
read.
S
B
Thank
you,
okay,
I'm,
going
to
to
speed
this
up,
I'm
going
to
read
a
list
of
names
and
if
you
could
sort
of
come
over
here
and
it'll,
be
a
little
easier
to
get
up
to
the
podium.
Okay,
Mr.
F
B
That
that's
always
an
option:
absolutely
okay,
the
next
I'm
gonna
I'm
gonna
read
these
off
three
at
a
time:
Katie
Marshall,
Megan,
Parker
and
Lindsay
van
oh.
Q
Your
address
my
address
is
2584
West
Tango,
Creek
Drive
in
Meridian
Idaho
do
not
support
the
dissolution
of
the
library.
My
name
is
Katie
I'm,
a
20-year
patron
of
the
library
I'm.
An
educator
and
I
am
a
Meridian
Library
District
certified
extreme
book.
Nerd
personally,
I
think
that
access
to
books
got
me
through
the
pandemic
in
some
of
the
hardest
years
that
I've
ever
experienced
and
professionally.
Q
The
library
got
me
through
my
first
Year's
teaching
and
it
allowed
me
to
give
quality
literacy
instruction
to
kids,
something
I
could
not
have
done
without
access
to
free
books.
A
few
things
that
this
this
group
that
wants
to
dissolve
the
library
has
said
they.
They
think
that
the
library
board
is
an
issue
in
reality,
that's
an
elected
position
and
they
have
the
opportunity
to
vote
for
who
they
want
in
those
positions,
they've
argued
that
the
library
doesn't
have
Financial
transparency
in
actuality.
Their
reports
are
listed
on
the
website
and
are
very
easy
to
access.
Q
They
have
also
argued
that
there's
obscene
material
available
for
children-
fortunately,
obscenity-
does
actually
have
a
definition.
Obscenity
is
defined
as
content
with
no
literary
intellectual
or
artistic
Merit.
The
library
does
not
have
those
obscene
materials.
Unfortunately,
for
this
group,
obscenity
is
not
just
things
that
they
disagree
with,
which
is
what
they
are
currently
objecting
to.
They've
also
said
that
they
will
re-establish
the
library
and
to
trust
them
to
do
that.
Q
As
Megan
stated,
their
petition
would
dissolve
the
library
it
would
not
re-establish
the
library
what
they're
proposing
is
censorship,
no
matter
how
eloquently
they
would
like
to
frame
it
in
defense
of
the
library.
I
would
like
to
make
it
known
that
I
agree
with
everything
that
Megan
said.
I
agree
with
everything.
That's
been
said
about
all
of
the
options
that
parents
have
in
order
to
monitor
what
their
children
are
doing.
Q
They
can
get
an
email
when
their
children
check
something
out
from
the
library
they
can
go
with
their
children
to
the
library
the
Meridian
library
district
has
worked
constantly
to
me
patrons
and
to
meet
parents
where
they're
at
they
give
them
whatever
they
need.
They
have
books,
but
they
also
run
programs
for
kids
to
get
them
interested
in
reading
and
help
them.
Q
Socialize
I
can't
tell
you
how
many
of
my
students
could
participate
in
library
programs,
but
I
would
say
that
it's
probably
the
majority
of
them
in
all
ages,
that
I've
taught
they
have
programs
for
adults
to
give
us
a
sense
of
community
and
they
have
programs
for
seniors
looking
for
activities
throughout
the
day.
During
covet,
they
started
delivering
books
to
homes
which
the
concerned
parents
have
listed
as
a
travesty,
but
for
many
was
a
lifesaver
because
they
could
not
get
out
of
their
homes
and
go
to
places
where
they
would
be.
Q
T
These
are
her
words.
I.
Am
writing
you
in
support
of
our
local
Meridian
library,
in
the
safe
space
it
represents
for
my
family
and
our
community.
A
little
background
on
me,
I
was
raised
here
in
the
Treasure
Valley
graduating
from
Meridian
High
class
of
1994.
in
my
20s
I
moved
to
Seattle
looking
for
adventure.
After
a
brief
Whirlwind
relationship,
I
found
myself
pregnant
during
my
pregnancy
I
began
to
realize
not
what
all
not
all
was,
as
it
appeared
with
my
husband.
By
the
time
my
daughter
was
three
I
knew
I
needed
to
get
out.
T
I
came
home
to
Meridian
looking
for
safety.
My
ex-husband
followed
us
here
and
the
abuse
continued,
although
he
could
not
physically
get
to
me.
He
used
the
courts
this
time
during
those
court-ordered
visits
with
her
father,
my
daughter
was
a
victim
of
domestic
abuse.
On
multiple
occasions,
when
my
daughter
was
11,
she
began
counseling
at
The,
Women
and
Children's
Alliance
through
the
next
year
and
a
half
with
the
WCA.
My
daughter
was
able
to
get
the
help
that
she
needed.
She
began
to
realize
what
abuse
was
and
what
mental
health
and
disease
was.
T
They
gave
her
strength
and
taught
her
to
listen
to
her
inner
self
she's
learned
how
to
set
and
enforce
boundaries.
For
the
last
three
and
a
half
years,
my
daughter
has
not
been
alone
with
her
father.
She
would
not
go
to
his
house.
She
will
not
get
in
his
car.
She
will
not
be
in
his
presence
alone.
She
must
always
be
in
a
public
space
when
seeing
him
originally
that
started
with
them
taking
walks
in
my
neighborhood.
However,
once
winter
hit
that
became
increasingly
more
difficult.
T
She
did
not
like
to
be
in
the
cold
in
the
dark
with
him.
After
much
thought,
she
decided
she
would
like
to
be
able
to
meet
with
him
inside
somewhere.
She
chose
the
Meridian
library
that
is
her
safe
spot
from
a
toddler
going
to
story
time
to
a
teenager,
researching
topics
of
interest
for
her.
The
library
has
always
been
her
safe
spot.
T
She
has
consistently
used
the
Meridian
library
as
a
safe
place
to
meet
with
her
father
once
a
week
for
the
last
few
years,
this
safe
space
has
enabled
her
to
have
a
relationship
with
her
father
I
believe
if
the
Meridian
library
were
to
shut
down.
This
would
be
the
end
of
that
relationship
between
my
daughter
and
her
father.
I
cannot
thank
the
staff
of
the
Meridian
library
enough
for
all
they
have
done
for
her.
Libraries
are
about
so
much
more
than
the
books
on
the
Shelf.
B
Let
me
give
the
next
three
names.
We
have
syrup
to
MacLeod
Nicole,
Osborne
and
Chris
Ferguson
go
ahead.
U
U
U
If
they
can't
control
the
library,
then
they
don't
want
any
of
us
to
have
access
to
it.
Libraries
are
integral
and
foundational
and
a
foundational
part
of
our
community.
Our
community
is
diverse
and
the
library
reflects
and
celebrates
that
diversity.
People
of
all
Races
religions,
gender
identities
and
sexual
orientations
should
have
access
to
books
that
speak
to
their
interests
and
experiences.
U
Our
Librarians
are
educated
and
trained
how
to
curate,
age-appropriate
and
enriching
collections,
but
at
the
end
of
the
day,
I
am
my
child's
parent,
and
so
it
is
my
responsibility
to
be
aware
of
what
they're
checking
out
and
what
they
are
reading.
My
family
benefits
from
the
Library
weekly.
My
children
are
involved
in
clubs
within
the
library
just
a
couple
weeks
ago,
my
son
brought
home
a
book
because
I've
curated
relationships
with
them,
where
they
talk
to
me
about
the
books
that
they
are
checking
out.
U
My
son
checked
out
a
book
and
I
did
not
feel
like
it
was
age-appropriate,
so
I
told
him.
Now
is
not
the
time.
It
wasn't
a
bad
book,
but
it
wasn't
the
time
for
him
to
read
that
book
and
we
took
it
back
to
the
library.
That
is
what
parents
do
just
because
it's
not
appropriate
for
my
child
right
now
doesn't
mean
that
it
shouldn't
be
in
the
library
and
that
other
people
shouldn't
have
access
to
it.
U
If
you
don't
like
books
with
rainbow
Flags
or
books
about
puberty,
then
you
shouldn't
check
them
out
the
concerned.
Citizens
of
Meridian
were
asking
about
a
system
or
something
to
to
manage
kind
of
the
books
that
that
we
have
that
they
don't
want
their
children
checking
out.
There
is
a
system,
if
you
don't
like
them,
don't
check
them
out
if
you're,
a
parent
of
a
small
child.
You
monitor
your
children
within
the
library
if
they
want
to
check
out
books
that
you
don't
agree
with.
U
U
I
would
just
like
to
say
that
the
libraries,
the
Meridian
library
district,
has
been
very
Valiant
Guardians
of
the
First
Amendment
and
we
have
to
decide
as
a
community.
Do
we
value
the
First
Amendment
or
not.
That
is
really
what's
on
the
table
here
and
I
I
urge
you
to
vote
against.
B
W
Hi
I'm
sharepta,
McLeod
I
live
at
1908
North
Lawndale
Drive
in
Meridian,
83646
I
grew
up
in
Nampa
and
then
I
returned
to
the
area
in
2006..
I
live
within
walking
distance
of
the
Cherry
Lane
library
and
I
have
card
holder
I
want
you
to
donate.
My
grandchild,
attended
the
gay
and
straight
Alliance
meetings
at
the
library
on
Cherry
Lane.
W
He
felt
acceptance
there
and
he
found
friendship
and
he
found
a
place
to
feel
safe.
I.
Take
today,
I
take
my
six-year-old
grandson,
his
brother
and
we
check
out
library
books
regularly
when
I
heard
about
the
petition.
I
posted
a
comment
on
Nextdoor,
because
that
would
be
talking
to
people
that
live
within
Meridian
and
I
posted
a
comment
on
the
next
door.
Expressing
my
displeasure
and
support
for
the
library.
My
displeasure
of
the
petition,
it
received
123
comments
in
three
weeks
and
the
discussion
still
continues.
W
Many
comments
were
supporting
of
the
library
but
the
as
they
some
discussed
that
the
result
of
petition
would
have,
and
some
were
truly
unbelievable.
It
seemed
people
did
not
realize
the
passage
of
this
petition
would
close
all
libraries
cause
all
the
assets
to
be
sold.
They
pointed
out
that
the
petition
said
just
dissolve
the
current
word
and
replace
the
members
from
my
understanding
of
the
rules
dissolving
the
board
dissolves
the
district
and
all
assets
transfer
to
another
entity
or
are
sold
as
to
the
comments
supporting
the
petition.
W
They
said
that
the
children's
section
had
books
providing
information
on.
Forgive
me.
If
this
offends
anyone,
young
people
can
get
engaged
in
sexual
activities,
how
two
men
have
sexual
relations,
teaching
about
masturbation
and
gay
sex
and
and
how
it
is
perfectly
normal.
With
illustrations.
Many
comments
took
exception
to
the
normalcy
of
the
lgbtq
plus
community.
W
They
presented
three
objectionable
books.
One
was
the
gay
BCS.
It
was
that
that
is
a
book
detailing
lgbtq
vocabulary,
Sparkle
Boy
about
a
boy
who
likes
trucks
but
also
wants
to
wear
sparkly
things
like
his
older
sister
and
I.
Think
we've
all
seen
young
kids
who
want
to
emulate
their
older,
siblings
and
then
anti-racist
babies
for
parents
to
learn
how
to
teach
children.
How
not
to
be
racist,
I,
don't
find
any
of
these
books
objectionable
and
further
the
library.
W
They
said,
the
library
about
allowed
disgusting
organizations
to
hold
meetings
after
hours
and
Men
interested
in
sex
with
boys
to
conduct
their
meetings
at
the
library
facilities
after
hours.
And
finally,
libraries
are
indoctrination.
Centers
for
the
woke
re-education
agenda
did
some
research.
The
books
I
have
found
in
the
children's
sections.
X
W
Y
My
address
is
2153
West
Mary,
Kay,
Drive
hi
I'm
Nicole
Osborne
I
disapprove
of
this
petition.
This
petition
has
a
list
of
different
concepts
from
the
financial
transparency,
the
straight
queer
Alliance
a
board
member
and
censoring
content
for
minors.
I
will
be
addressing
how
minors
unquestionably
possess
First
Amendment
rights,
including
the
right
to
receive
information
through
the
library.
Y
Libraries
should
not
limit
the
selection
and
development
of
Library
resources
simply
because
miners
will
have
access
to
them
a
library's
failing
to
acquire
materials
on
the
grounds
that
miners
May
access,
those
materials,
diminishes,
The,
credibility
of
the
library
and
the
community.
It
restricts
asses
access
for
all
Library
users.
Here
are
some
court
cases,
examples
that
demonstrate
how
it's
unconstitutional
to
censor
or
restrict
miners
from
accessing
information
case
v,
Unified
District
number
223
1995.,
when
all
the
Kansas
School
Board
voted
to
remove
the
book
Annie.
Y
As
a
result
of
the
vote,
students
in
Cedarville
and
the
school
district
were
required
to
obtain
a
signed
permission
slip
from
parents
or
Guardians
before
they
would
be
allowed
to
borrow
the
book.
The
Court
District
overturned
this
decision,
stating
that
students
first
amend
first
amend
a
right
to
read
the
book
and
receive
all
information
in
unrestricted
and,
finally,
the
right
to
read.
Defense
committee
for
school
committee
of
city
of
can
of
Seattle.
Y
The
school
committee
decided
to
bar
from
female
under
18
because
of
inclusive
of
an
offensive
and
damaging
poem.
The
city
of
a
young
girl
who
wrote
about
a
15
year
old
girl,
challenged
by
School
District
Joseph
altal,
ruled
the
library
is
a
mighty
resource
in
the
marketplace
of
ideas.
There's
a
student
that
can
literally
explore
the
unknown
and
discover
areas
of
interest
and
thought
not
covered
by
prescribed
curriculum.
The
student
who
discovers
the
magic
of
the
libraries
on
their
way
for
a
lifelong
experience
about
self-education
enrichment.
Y
The
student
learns
at
a
library
is
a
place
to
test
and
expand
upon
ideas
presented
presented
to
them
in
in
or
outside
the
classroom.
The
most
effective
antidote
to
the
poison
of
mindless
Orthodoxy
is
already
access
to
a
broad
sweep
of
ideas
and
philosophies.
There
is
no
such
Danger
from
exposure.
Only
the
danger
of
mind
control,
as
stated
by
the
concerning
citizen
Meridian.
In
the
beginning
of
the
meeting,
they
wanted
to
censor
what
miners
could
consume
as
a
form
of
protection.
Y
B
Z
You
yeah
Chris
Ferguson
3046
West,
two
buck
Drive
Meridian
83646
as
a
parent
I
agree
with
pretty
much
everything's
been
said
here
today.
I
think
that
you
know
it's
not
only
inappropriate
for
other
parents
to
decide
what
our
children
should
see.
We
should
actually
be
insulted
by
it,
but
that's
not
really
what
this
is
about.
This
is
about
whether
this
is
on
the
ballot
or
not
much.
As
the
mayor
said,
there's
over
125
000
people
in
Meridian
96
signatures.
Z
The
overwhelming
support
that
we
have
here
opposing
the
ballot
should
tell
you
all.
You
need
to
know
about
what
a
waste
of
time
and
money
it
would
be
to
put
this
on
the
ballot
and
I
mean
given
the
fact
that
we
get
support
from
somebody
from
Illinois
who
is
really
rude
to
everybody
on
the
way
out,
probably
tells
you
all.
You
need
to
know
about
their
position,
so
I
opposed
a
ballot
and
I
definitely
think
it
should
be
dismissed.
Thank.
B
AA
AB
You
first,
let
me
say,
you're
one
of
the
few
people
that
have
managed
to
pronounce
my
last
name
correctly
on
the
first
try.
So
thank
you.
Thank
you.
My
name
is
Sean
for
vanilla,
I
live
at
282,
East
James,
Court,
Drive,
Apartment,
204,
Meridian,
83646
I
have
been
a
resident
of
the
city
of
Meridian
since
2007,
and
it
has
quickly
become
my
home.
AB
I
am
a
lifelong
Idaho
resident
resident
born
and
raised
and
I'm
an
Avid
Reader
libraries
have
always
been
my
sanctuary
and
my
second
home
the
Meridian
Library
District
is
important
to
me
and
my
family
I
should
preface
this
I
forgot
to
add.
I
am
against
the
petition
to
put
this
on
the
ballot
to
dissolve
the
Library
District.
AB
For
me,
the
library
has
always
been
a
sanctuary
after
my
divorce
and
I
needed
resources
to
help
myself
and
my
child.
Through
that
we
made
Library
day
a
regular
event.
We
went
to
the
library
once
a
week.
My
child
was
allowed
to
check
out
books,
movies,
CDs
they
had
take
and
make
kits.
These
were
a
lifesaver
for
me
as
a
divorced
mom,
trying
to
find
ways
to
keep
my
child
entertained
and
learning
and
reading,
because
I
couldn't
buy
things
for
him
at
that
point.
AB
In
time,
sorry
I
lost
my
train
of
thought
for
a
month
there.
So
this
this
quickly
became
a
safe
place
for
us
and
it's
important
to
us
to
keep
the
library
open.
It
is
so
much
more
than
just
books
that
are
on
the
shelves,
I
always
monitored
what
my
child
would
pick
out
to
read.
We
would
pick
things
out
together
and
then
I
would
let
him
go
roam
the
kids
section
to
pick
out
what
he
wanted,
but
we
always
went
to
the
counter
together
to
check
those
items
out.
AB
Usually
it
was
DVDs
of
Pokemon
that
he
wanted
to
watch
with
me
because
we
couldn't
watch
it
any
other
way.
I
have
also
used
the
library
and
utilized
the
resources
there
for
when
I
needed
help
to
learn
new
things.
How
to
fix
my
garbage
disposal,
because
I
couldn't
afford
a
repairman
how
to
do
basic
repairs
on
my
vehicles,
because
I
couldn't
afford
to
take
it
to
a
mechanical
shop.
AB
These
are
the
types
of
resources
that
our
library
have
given
me
over
the
years,
not
just
the
pleasure
of
reading
books
and
escaping
from
life,
because
that's
I
mean
I'm
an
Avid
Reader
like
I
said.
So.
That's,
please,
don't
put
this
on
the
ballot
to
dissolve
the
library,
it's
just
too
valuable
of
a
resource
and
that's
not
needed
and.
B
AC
AC
I'm
a
lifelong
idahoan
I've
lived
in
Meridian
for
well
in
the
Treasure
Valley
for
20
years,
so
I've
been
here
a
long
time,
it's
home
for
me,
I'm
a
parent,
and
when
my
children
were
small,
we
would
go
to
the
library
and
we
would
spend
quite
a
bit
of
time
there
and
it
was
a
really
fun
way
to
start
our
weekend
and
I
completely
support
the
library
and
the
services
and
things
that
it
provides.
Like
that's
not
in
question.
We
love
the
library.
AC
However,
what
I
found
as
a
parent
was
that
it's
supposed
to
be
a
safe
place
and
if
it's
not
safe
for
every
parent,
with
every
parenting
style
and
standard,
how
can
they
say
it
safe?
So
if,
if
we
can't
find
a
solution
where
it's
safe
for
all
of
our
kids,
how
how
can
they
claim
it
safe?
AC
So
an
easy
solution,
like
has
been
suggested,
was
maybe
just
put
these
books
in
a
section
like
some
of
them
are
in
the
children's
section.
My
experience
with
it
was
that
my
preschool
child
found
a
book
on
sex,
not
nearly
as
explicit
as
the
ones
we're
talking
about
this
was
10
years
ago,
but
it
was
not
a
time
or
a
place
where
I
was
comfortable.
Introducing
that
to
my
four-year-old
there
was
no
warning.
There
was
no
like
hey
this
there.
AC
There
might
be
content
here
that
you
might
want
to
discuss
with
your
child,
so
you
just
picked
it
up
off
the
shelf,
four-year-old
it's
available
at
their
level
and
it
it's
not.
It
wasn't
safe
for
my
family,
and
why
is
this
even
a
question
like
why?
AC
Why
can't
we
find
a
simple
solution
like
it's
so
easy,
so
I
don't
understand
why
it
has
to
come
to
this,
but
but
I'm
here
to
say
that
I
think
we
need
a
fix
and
it
doesn't
need
to
be
that
the
library
goes
away.
It
just
means
like:
let's
provide
some
protection
for
parents
who
do
want
these
books
to
be
obvious.
That
you're,
you
might
have
some
issues
here
with
your
child.
AC
I
I
was
at
numerous
board
meetings
at
the
library
and
and
the
concerns
were
met
with
disdain.
There
was
no
compromise,
there
was
no
like
wanting
to
find
a
solution
and
we
don't
want
the
Books
banned
like
just
move
them
so
they're
safe
for
everybody.
AC
You
know
they
do.
They
do
a
really
good
job
keeping
kids
from
accessing
porn
on
the
internet,
and
these
are
sexually
explicit
books.
Why
can't
we
do
the
same
thing
with
the
books,
as
I
mean
Megan
herself
pointed
out
that
sorry
I
didn't
see
the
yellow
light.
AC
Was
with
her
and
fortunately
I
saw
it
and
we're
like
we're,
not
going
to
read
that.
But
it
was
in
the
kids
section
and
very
easy
for
her
to
access.
Okay,.
E
AC
B
Thank
you,
Laurel
Morgan
I'll
read
the
next
three
names:
Chelsea
major
Chase,
major
and
Dean
Hagerman
Laurel.
Welcome
to
the
welcome
to
being
Laurel.
O
Thank
you
Mr
kitchen,
commissioner.
My
name
is
Laurel
Morgan.
My
address
is
2192
East
Meadow
Creek
in
Meridian
837-83646
excuse
me:
I'm,
an
Idaho
native
and
living
in
Ada
County
for
the
past
45
years,
I'm,
a
member
of
the
Meridian
library,
district,
I'm,
a
mother
I'm,
a
grandmother
and
I'm
very
involved
in
my
community.
It
saddens
me
that
we
are
here
today
and
that
you're
being
asked
to
intervene,
because
another
deliberative
body
has
failed
to
listen
and
work
with
the
citizens
with
whom
they
were
elected
to
serve.
O
It
is
important
to
understand
that
we're
not
asking
you
to
determine
whether
there
is
sexually
explicit
material
at
the
Meridian
library
being
offered
to
minors
or
providing
asking
you
to
provide
a
determination
about
what
is
sexually
explicit
material.
Instead.
Tonight's
hearing
is
to
review
a
petition
asking
for
the
citizens
of
the
Meridian
library
district
to
vote
on
reorganizing
their
Library
District
to
include
a
new
Board
of
Trustees
with
shorter
terms
of
service
bylaws.
That
will
allow
for
open
two-way
discourse
between
the
Board
of
Trustees
and
the
citizens.
O
It's
to
serve
and
segregation
of
sexually
explicit
material
from
minors,
the
Meridian
library
taxing
district
was
developed
back
in
the
1970s.
You
guys
allowing
for
six-year
terms
for
these
trustees.
To
give
this
perspective,
Eagle
Road
and
Fairview
Avenue
were
two
lane
roads
with
a
dairy
farm
on
the
corner
that,
when
this
taxing
district
was
designed
to
to
give
that
give
reference,
that's
where
the
Village
shopping
center
now
exists
and
is
now
the
busiest
intersection
or
in
the
state
of
Idaho
times
have
changed.
Meridian
has
changed
and
it
is
changing.
O
Too
often,
it's
said
that
the
solution
is
in
the
polls.
We
need
term
lengths
that
allow
citizens
to
elect
officials
that
represent
the
current
environment
of
our
community
I
mean
even
our
state
legislators
only
serve
at
the
will
of
the
people
for
a
two-year
term.
This
petition
is
not
about
removing
Banning
or
burning
books,
and
it's
not
about
closing
the
library.
O
These
are
the
lies
that
the
current
Board
of
Trustees
for
the
Meridian
library,
district
and
select
members
of
our
city
government
have
masterfully
used
the
liberal
media
to
push
a
false
narrative
designed
to
scare
and
to
mislead
the
citizens.
Meridian
make
no
doubt
about
it:
Meridian
loves
its
Library,
Meridian
needs
its
Library,
Meridian
supports
its
library
and,
most
importantly,
Meridian
loves
its
children.
The
petition
is
about
putting
the
Meridian
library
taxing
district
back
into
the
hands
and
the
control
of
the
community
and
to
protecting
our
children,
who
are
the
future
of
Meridian.
O
The
truth
is
tonight's
hearing
was
totally
avoidable
and
had
the
current
Board
of
Trustees
in
good
faith,
listen
to
the
concerns
of
its
constituents
and
attempted
to
work
with
them
for
solutions
that
Matt
everybody's
concerns.
Instead,
this
board
of
trustee
has
taken
to
a
closed-door
stance,
including
shutting
down
public
discourse
at
their
public
meetings.
O
You
in,
in
conclusion
this
this
discussion
is
really
about
citizens
making
their
vote
I
push
you
I,
ask
you
to
push
past
the
narrative
attempting
to
confuse
our
community
and
to
put
this
petition
before
us
on
a
ballot
so
that
we,
as
a
citizens
of
Meridian,
have
a
right
to
vote.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
AE
Hello
good
evening
hi,
my
name
is
Tulsi
major.
As
you
know,
I'm
a
small
business
owner
I,
actually
am
a
book
seller
and
my
husband,
Chase
and
I
live
in
Meridian
and
work
in
the
downtown
area
as
well.
In
Meridian
I
also
serve
as
one
of
the
coordinators
of
the
Meridian
library
Alliance.
We
are
a
local
Grassroots
organization
formed
by
other
concerned.
Meridian
citizens,
the
Meridian
library
Alliance,
is
an
independent,
Grassroots
Alliance
and
is
not
affiliated
with
the
library
district
or
the
library
Foundation.
AE
We
saw
a
need
to
show
our
support
for
our
local
library
district.
Our
district
serves
our
Meridian
Community
with
four
existing
library
branches,
one
of
which
is
up
or
another
one
that
is
upcoming,
The
Orchard,
Park
location
later
this
year,
which
we
did
vote
on
and
Fund
in
2019.,
we
have
over
500
individuals
and
continuing
to
grow.
We
started
this
belt
two
weeks
ago
who
have
signed
our
pledge
to
oppose
this
petition.
AE
The
Meridian
library,
Alliance,
believes
and
I'll
just
State
some
of
our
values,
and
this
is
a
nonpartisan
group.
Again
community-fended
Meridian
library
district
is
vitally
important
to
our
community
residents
of
all
ages.
Use
it
for
entertainment,
education
and
connection
efforts
by
a
small
group
of
anti-library
pro-censorship
people
should
not
be
allowed
to
disrupt
or
disrupt
or
destroy
this
vital
community
resource.
We
Believe
public
libraries
are
essential
to
our
community's
access
our
success,
providing
not
only
books
but
valuable
services
and
programming.
AE
With
this
in
mind,
we
must
ensure
the
Integrity
of
our
current
space,
our
current
Library
operations,
and
this
is
what
we
do
by
voting
on
trustees.
That
vote
is
coming
up
again.
So,
as
we
know
with
citizens
and
our
right
we'll
continue
to
vote,
we
oppose
dissolution
of
the
library.
We
support
a
parent's
right
to
decide
what's
appropriate
for
our
families.
We
take
pride
in
our
local
libraries
and
we
believe
they
help
create
a
vibrant
and
prosperous
community.
AE
F
Go
ahead,
how
many
members
does
your
organization
represent
yeah.
F
F
B
AF
Chase
major
I
oppose
the
dissolution
of
the
Meridian
library
district,
1029,
Northeast
3rd
Street,
Marine
Idaho
83642
I'll
make
this
short
and
sweet.
I
am
simply
disgusted
disgusted.
This
small
group
of
individuals
believe
they
can
leverage
an
old
Antiquated
rule
to
Simply,
dissolve
something
that
they
do
not
support
aligns
to
their
ideals.
This
is
something
that
I
do
not
support,
and
I
am
here
to
stand
against
this.
AF
If
this
does
come
to
vote,
I
will
vote
to
support
my
ideals
simply
as
they
will
do
theirs
and
I
trust
you,
as
Commissioners,
will
stand
in
favor
of
these
citizens
as
a
whole.
Not
you
yourselves
and
what
you
align
your
values
may
be,
so
please
stand
with
the
citizens
sand
with
those
who
speak
their
truth
and
not
to
those
that
want
to
believe
what
they
believe
is
true.
Thank
you.
C
Dean
good
evening,
thank
you,
commissioners.
Before
I
start
I'd
like
to
ask
a
question:
I
donate
to
the
Meridian
library.
Am
I
allowed
to
speak
on
behalf
of
that
or
am
I
compromised
by
that.
C
I
recently
obtained
my
master's
degree
in
public
history,
so
I'm
going
to
use
a
little
history
here.
Nearly
90
years
ago,
over
40
000
students
and
government
officials
gathered
in
oberplots
in
Berlin
to
listen
to
a
speech
by
Joseph
Goebbels.
The
event
culminated
in
the
burning
of
thousands
of
books
that
didn't
fit
with
the
Nazi
World
View.
Hundreds
of
book
burnings
were
staged
all
over
the
country,
and
this
was
seen
as
evidence
of
the
public
will,
but
instead
it
was
actually
excuse.
Me,
I
lost
my
way
here.
C
Using
this
may
seem
like
an
unfair
comparison
with
dissolving
the
Meridian
School
District,
but
here
I
see.
The
only
difference
is
that
there
are
no
visuals
of
bonfires
of
burning
books,
but
the
goal
is
the
same.
The
removal
of
books
do
not
fit
with
the
narrow
beliefs
of
a
small
group
of
people
and
Germany
Nazi
propaganda
played
up
the
spontaneous
nature
of
this
as
I
referred
to.
But,
unlike
then,
today
the
whole
thing
is
orchestrated:
I
mean
like
then.
Today
the
whole
thing
is
being
orchestrated
by
national
organizations.
C
It's
not
the
Nazis
leading
this
Crusade,
but
groups
like
moms
for
Liberty
parents
defending
education
or
concerned
citizens
of
Meridian.
These
and
other
groups
are
not
trying
to
dissolve
our
library
district,
not
just
that
they're
also
trying
to
push
through
restrictive
laws
in
our
legislature,
as
previously
mentioned
they're
doing
this
by
making
Librarians
to
be
out
out
to
be
evil
and
I
can
see
I'm
going
to
run
out
of
time
here.
So
I'll
jump
down
towards
the
end.
C
They're,
trying
to
silence
not
just
the
obscene
material
is
just
a
smoke
screen
they're
trying
to
silence
a
lot
of
voices
in
the
LBT
Community
Voices
of
women,
black
indigenous
or
other
authors
of
color
I
spent
nearly
40
years
of
my
life,
serving
in
the
military
to
protect
the
right
of
people
opposing
of
opposing
views
to
be
heard
this
right
to
speak.
Thank
you
should
not
be
used
to
threaten
create
fear
or
denigrate.
Those
who
disagree,
Banning
books
is
a
predictable
exercise
in
history
does
not
look
fondly
on
those
who
do
it.
Thank
you.
C
AA
My
name
is
John
Reddy
and
I
live
at
1722
East
meadowgrass,
meridians,
a3646
I've
lived
in
Idaho
now
for
43
years,
I
moved
here
after
military
service
and
graduation
from
college
in
Utah,
and
in
that
43-year
time
most
of
it
has
been
living
in
Meridian
where
I
am
now
I.
Am
a
member
of
the
member
of
the
library
and
I
support
it
with
donations
for
some
of
their
Outreach
programs,
the
board
and
the
staff
at
the
Meridian
library
district
do
an
outstanding
job
and
provide
a
valuable
service
to
the
community
at
Large.
AA
This
effort
to
dissolve
the
district
is
foolhardy
and,
in
my
opinion,
un-American
I
do
not
believe
for
one
second,
that
the
members
of
the
so-called
concerned
citizens
of
Meridian
represent
the
opinions
of
the
majority
of
residents.
Here
they
are
hiding
behind
a
false
narrative
to
protect
children.
This
has
nothing
to
do
with
protecting
children,
but
everything
to
do
with
denying
First
Amendment
rights.
AA
B
You
John
Jason
Mick.
AG
Jason
Mick
366,
West,
Harris,
Street,
Meridian,
Idaho,
83642
I
oppose
this
position
or
this
petition
ultimately
the
board.
It
is
an
elected
position.
The
concerned
citizens
of
Meridian
disagree
with
what
their
fellow
citizens
have
elected
and
they
want
to
undermine
that
by
dissolving
the
entire
library,
with
the
promise
that
they
will
bring
it
back.
This
is
a
huge
waste
of
money
and
we
don't
know
that
it
will
actually
happen.
AG
If
this
goes
on
the
ballot,
it
will
be
on
the
ballot
with
two
open
seats
for
this
board,
I
believe
so
it.
It
just
seems
kind
of
strange
there.
The
deeper
conversation
that
we're
really
having
is
about
censorship.
We
can
talk
about
whether
they
want
to
put
these
books
somewhere
else
on
a
shelf
where
people
can't
access
them.
The
library's
already
doing
that.
That's
what
the
Dewey
Decimal
System
is.
These
books
are
categorized.
Parents
should
be
aware
of
where
they're
located
But.
AG
A
family
can
go
into
a
bookstore
and
any
child
with
cash
or
access
to
their
their
parents,
credit
card,
any
sort
of
anything
they
can
buy
a
book.
It's
not
restricted
the
same
way
that
movies
are
it's
not
restricted.
The
same
way
that
video
games
are
any
child
can
go
to
Barnes
Noble
and
get
the
books
in
question
I,
don't
know
why
these
parents
are
not
monitoring
what
their
children
are
reading,
but
I
believe
it's
up
to
the
family
to
do
so.
Thank
you
for
your
time.
Thank
you.
B
Sir
Carl
Oregon.
B
AH
Linda
Buckley
31951,
Silver,
Terrace,
Meridian
Idaho
83642
welcome
I
have
been
a
patron
of
the
Meridian
library
district.
My
entire
life
and
I
do
not
support
the
petition
to
dissolve
the
Meridian
library
district
and
to
be
very
clear.
That
is
what
we
are
discussing
is
the
Meridian
library
district
will
go
away.
We
aren't
discussing
about
re-establishing
the
Meridian
library
district.
That
is
a
lie
that
has
been
perpetuated
by
spreading
misinformation
from
the
concerned,
citizens
of
Meridian.
AH
Perhaps
if
the
concerned,
citizens
of
Meridian
spent
less
time
scheming,
unoriginal
ideas
that
are
happening
all
across
the
country
and
they
spent
more
time
actually
in
the
library
researching
basic
things
like
the
US
Constitution
or
the
First
Amendment
rights
that
we
have
or
the
Idaho
code
or
I,
don't
know
the
basic
legislative
functions
of
the
legislative,
the
basic
functions
of
the
legislative
branch
that
there
are.
AH
They
might
understand
that
what
they're
asking
is
illegal
because,
as
discussed
previously,
censorship
is
illegal,
and
commissioner
David
senu
said
the
comment
that
you
are
unhappy
that
we've
got
to
this
point
where
we
have
all
now
had
to
commit
a
lot
of
research
time
and
time
here
to
come
and
fight
this
petition
because
they
are
making.
It
seem
as
though
the
whole
Community
is
behind
them
when,
in
reality,
I
believe
it
was
94.
People
who
signed
the
petition.
AH
They
do
not
speak
for
us.
We
have
spoken
and
we
have
done
that
by
participating
in
the
Democratic
process.
We
use
that
same
process
to
elect
you
all
of
you
Commissioners,
and
we
use
that
process
to
elect
the
Meridian
Library
District
Board
of
Trustees
I
have
full
confidence
that
they
are
representing
us
and,
interestingly
enough,
I
believe
that
they're,
actually
taxpayers
and
a
lot
of
them
are
parents
too,
so
they
are
covering
all
the
bases
there.
AH
We
have
a
system
set
in
place
that
protects
children
from
checking
out
these
books
and
it
falls
on
the
parents
responsibility
to
help
enforce
that.
I.
Don't
think
that
any
of
you
good
Commissioners,
stand
for
increased
governmental
control
or
increasing
regulations
or
shrinking
or
stripping
away
personal
responsibility.
I,
don't
believe,
that's
any
of
your
platforms.
AH
However,
that's
what
this
group
is
ultimately
asking
for
I
would
urge
you
not
to
put
this
on
the
ballot,
because
it
will
be
a
waste
of
time
and
we
don't
need
to
have
this
discussion
go
on
anymore,
because
we
have
already
elected
the
Board
of
Trustees
and
we've
done
that
through
exercising
our
right
to
vote.
Thank
you
very
much.
Thank.
AI
My
name
is
Elizabeth
City
I
live
at
368,
South,
pennant,
Place,
Meridian,
Idaho
and
I
am
in
support
of
the
library.
I
am
an
Avid
Reader,
a
grandmother
and
a
mother
I'm,
a
retired
Juvenile,
Justice
employee
I'm,
a
voter
and
I'm
a
moment
of
faith.
I'm,
a
member
of
the
library
in
the
city
of
Meridian,
the
Meridian
library,
is
a
positive
place
which
serves
the
Meridian
Community.
AI
It
has
empathy,
it
has
pro-knowledge,
it
is
extraordinary
and
it
has
a
relationship
to
focus,
that's
their
mission
statement
and
they
live
up
to
it.
If
you
go
to
the
library
and
see
it
it's
right
there
and
they
fulfill
it
every
day,
I've
visited
that
library
at
least
once
a
week,
I'm
also
a
nerd
I
have
participated
in
the
nerd
program.
For
the
last
four
years.
AI
AI
The
Meridian
library
is
important
to
me
because
I
use
its
services
an
average
of
once
a
week.
The
staff
are
welcoming
friendly
helpful
when
I
read
hired
here.
One
of
the
first
things
I
did
was
get
a
library
card
and
check
out
what
books
I
could
get
I'm
a
long
time
advocate
for
learning
and
the
library
has
been
Keystone
in
that
belief,
I've
always
used
libraries
for
anything.
I
wanted
to
look
up
or
learn
about
I
urge
you,
the
Commissioners,
to
visit
our
library
to
make
a
firm
opinion.
You
need
to
see
the
place
you're.
AI
Judging
so
I
urge
you
to
go.
Look
at
the
library,
see
the
staff
see
where
the
books
are.
That
would
help
you
then
I
respectfully
request.
You
find
no
merit
to
this
libelous
false
notification
of
facts
submitted
by
the
concerned
citizens
petition
and
dismisses
who
without
Merit-
and
they
are
not
the
we
that
they
were
talking
about.
Thank.
AJ
AJ
Love
and
support.
I
have
never
been
quote
unquote.
Indoctrinated
by
my
Librarians
or
my
teachers,
as
some
of
these
people
are
saying,
I
was
never
given
a
book
that
I
did
not
deem
appropriate
or
that
my
own
mother
did
not
deem
appropriate
if
I
want
to
read
a
book
or
I
want
to
buy
a
book
or
check
one
out,
I
go
to
my
mother
and
I
say
mom.
AJ
Do
you
think
this
is
a
book
that
is
appropriate
for
me
to
read
and
if
she
says
no
I
respect
that
decision,
because
she
is
my
mother
and
she
knows
what
is
best
for
me,
but
that's
her
decision,
not
these
other
people's
decision
on
what
my
mom
lets
me
read
and
I.
Don't
think
it
should
be
their
decision
to
let
my
mom
to
tell
my
mom
how
she
should
or
should
not
parent.
AJ
I
fully
support
the
library,
because
if
you
get
rid
of
libraries,
you
get
rid
of
people's
Lifeline
like
it's
so
utterly
ridiculous
that
you
would
want
to
get
rid
of
a
place
that
has
helped
so
many
people
and
has
saved
so
many
people,
as
I
stated,
if
I
didn't
have
the
library
to
go
to
a
safe
place
like
that.
For
me,
I
would
not
be
here
today
and
that's
it.
Thank
you.
I.
B
Think,
thank
you.
Okay,
Molly
whisp.
AK
Thank
you,
Commissioners
appreciate
your
time.
My
name
is
Molly.
My
address
is
5579
South
atcheron
Avenue
in
Boise
Idaho,
though
I
am
a
member
of
the
Meridian
library
district
right
next
to
Meridian,
so
I
have
been
a
member,
and
my
family
have
been
members
of
the
Meridian
library
for
over
10
years,
I'm.
Also
a
librarian
though
I
don't
work
for
the
Meridian
library.
AK
District
I
do
live
in
Meridian
or
in
Boise
I've
spent
20
years
working
in
just
about
every
kind
of
library,
from
public
libraries
to
school,
libraries,
academic,
libraries,
medical
schools
and
even
a
hospital
Library
I
list.
My
experience
to
say
that
I
know
that
the
Meridian
is
well
run,
filled
with
staff
who
are
dedicated
and
caring
and
that
it's
a
true
asset
to
the
community
I,
also
out
myself
as
a
librarian,
because
I
need
you
to
know
how
much
I
don't
want
to
be
here.
I'm
an
introvert
I
hate
conflict.
AK
This
is
not
my
idea
of
a
good
time
so,
but
I
have
to
speak
up
on
behalf
of
the
Meridian
library
and
all
libraries
to
show
my
support
and
to
defend
against
baseless
accusations
and
fear-mongering.
All
libraries
are
going
to
have
something
that's
offensive
to
everyone,
that's
kind
of
the
nature
of
free
ideas
and
free
speech,
but
that's
no
reason
to
shut
an
entire
Library
down
I,
fully
support
a
parent's
right
to
manage
what
their
children
are
reading
to
be
involved
in
that
it's
actually
their
responsibility,
not
a
librarian's
responsibility.
AK
The
major
issue
here
is
it's
not
going
to
stop
at
a
handful
of
books.
It's
not
going
to
stop
at
these
books,
there's
always
going
to
be
more
books
that
people
are
going
to
want
to
keep
out
of
the
hands
of
children
or
anyone
what's
offensive
to
one
person
is
going
to
be
perfectly
fine
to
another
person.
So
who
makes
the
final
call?
AK
Where
does
it
stop?
Allowing
this
petition
to
move
forward
would
be
a
mistake.
It
would
show
that
a
minority
of
people
with
extreme
views
can
push
an
agenda
not
in
line
with
the
rest
of
the
community.
It
would
be
a
waste
of
time,
it'd
be
a
waste
of
money
and
resources
and
it'd
be
a
real
embarrassment
to
of
Idaho
for
the
rest
of
the
country.
So
please
dismiss
this
petition.
It's
without
Merit
and
based
on
lies
and
fear.
AK
B
AL
I'm
Josiah
Butterworth
I
love
it
478,
East,
Lake,
Creek
Street
in
Meridian,
Idaho
I've
heard
a
lot
of
people
saying:
oh,
it's
the
parents
responsibility
if,
if
they're,
if
they're,
not
basically
decrying
their
ability
to
take
care
of
their
kids
based
on
this
and
I'm
coming
here,
not
as
a
parent
I,
don't
have
any
kids,
but
I
was
a
kid
who
was
exposed
to
pornography
in
a
public
library.
A
school
library
and
I
can
tell
you
that
it.
It
is
detrimental
heavily
to
a
child's
life.
AL
My
parents
were
not
callous
or
negligent,
but
an
area
that
they
were
told
was
safe,
had
material
that
they
were
not
informed
of,
and
that's
really
all
these
parents
are
asking
for
is
that
there
is
information
available,
so
they
know
what
their
children
are
getting.
AL
AL
B
Carl
Carla
Morton,
Luke,
kavner
and
Isabelle
McDaniel
go
ahead.
AM
I'm
DL
ratto
I
live
821,
West,
7th
Street
in
Meridian,
83642
I
am
a
mother
and
a
Meridian
Citizen
and
I
also
am
a
library
card
holder.
AM
I
just
want
to
point
out
that
this
meeting
is
about
dissolving
the
library
district
and
whether
or
not
that
will
happen
is
what's
going
to
be
going
on
the
ballot.
The
thing
that's
going
on
the
ballot
is
not
pro
or
anti-censorship,
it's
not
pro
or
anti-pearance
rights.
It's
simply
the
matter
of
dissolving
the
library
district
or
not,
and
I
do
not
think
that
there
is
Merit
in
dissolving
the
library
district,
because
there's
not
really
a
significant
enough
issue
going
on
to
dissolve
the
library
district
for
one
I.
AM
Think
that
the
issue
that's
going
on
with
the
concerned.
Parents
with
the
censorship
needs
to
be
addressed
in
a
different
way,
maybe
by
voting
for
a
different
representatives
for
the
library
district,
would
be
be
a
more
appropriate
way
to
fulfill
those
needs
or
requests.
But
I
also
want
to
point
out
the
economic
impact
that
will
be
made.
If
this
Library
District
is
dissolved,
it
will
not
be
just
as
easy
as
dissolving
the
library
district
and
then
creating
a
new
one.
AM
There
will
be
an
absence
of
the
library
and
materials
for
a
significant
amount
of
time
while
they
have
to
get
the
new
Revenue
to
create
a
new
Library
District.
So
it's
not
going
to
be
just
as
easy
as
dissolve
it
and
then
immediately
reinstate
a
new
one.
That's
going
to
be
a
huge
process
and
I
think
that
the
the
issue
at
hand
with
the
parents,
rights
and
and
the
books
that
are
being
objected
to
can
be
addressed
in
a
different
way
other
than
dissolving
the
library
district.
AM
AN
Carla,
thank
you.
I
appreciate
this
opportunity
to
speak
with
you.
Thank
you.
I
am
not
in
favor
of
you
sending
this
petition
on
to
your
clerk
to
hold
an
election.
This
is
directly
from
your
website
and
from
what
I
am
listening
to
from
the
people
who
are
in
support
of
this
petition
and
who
either
signed
it
or
are
now
in
support
of
it.
AN
They
do
not
seem
to
understand
that
this
does
mean
dissolution,
and
you
say
specifically
here
on
your
website
that,
if
dissolution
is
approved,
the
board
must
then
dispose
of
the
district's
property,
meaning
dis.
If
it
occurs,
all
property
and
assets
of
the
library
district
shall
be
disposed
of
by
the
Ada
County
Board
of
Commissioners.
Any
indebted
indebtedness
must
first
be
retired.
Any
remainder
will
be
placed
in
the
County
General
expense
fund,
fun
fund.
So
some
people
who
seem
to
not
understand
what
is
going
on
by
the
way
I
forgot
to
tell
you.
M
Evening,
chairman
Commissioners
Luke
kavaner
836
East
Forest
Ridge
Court
in
Meridian,
I'm,
incredibly
proud,
as
you
know,
to
to
represent
the
comedian
Meridian
as
a
member
of
the
city
council,
but
I'm
here
tonight,
just
as
a
dad
and
as
a
patron
as
the
1992
Meridian
library
disc
summer.
Reading
challenge
Champion
I'm
quite
proud
of
that
shout
out
to
to
you,
know
our
Meridian,
our
neighbors
and
residents
that
have
been
here
tonight,
testifying
I
think
the
discussion
has
been
very
civil,
very
honest,
very
transparent
on
either
side
of
the
issue.
M
It's
been
suggested
that
the
city
council
kind
of
shrugged
their
shoulders
about
this
and
I
was
kind
of
surprised
by
that
I
actually
wasn't
going
to
testify,
but
now
I
got
to
respond
because
that's
not
the
way
our
community
functions
we're
about
getting
involved,
we're
about
representing
our
community
in
many
ways,
shape
or
form
so
I'm
happy
to
be
here
tonight.
M
After
hearing
the
testimony,
I
had
some
comments,
maybe
that
I
was
going
to
share,
but
I
want
to
skip
to
them,
because
tonight's
really
not
about
the
significant
support
that
our
community
has
for
the
library
which
there's
much
if
you've
heard
tonight.
It's
also
not
about
the
individuals
in
our
community
who
find
an
exception
to
the
materials
that
are
available
in
the
library
and,
frankly,
I
am
also
one
of
those
people.
M
I
have
some
issues
with
some
some
of
the
subjects
that
are
in
our
library
and
I'll
talk
about
that
here
in
a
moment,
but
really
tonight,
though,
is
I.
Think
about
that.
It's
very
small
contingent
who
are
wanting
to
destroy
the
thing
because
they
haven't
gotten
their
way
and
I.
Think
that
says
something
that's
not
in
line
with
the
values
of
our
community.
M
Jeremy,
Davis
I,
think
you,
you
commented
a
you
didn't
say
this,
but
I
took
it.
I,
guess
tonight's,
a
big
waste
of
time.
We've
got
so
many
members
of
our
community,
your
time
staff,
time,
taxpayers
time
that
are
here
all
because
a
very
small
number
of
people
have
not
gotten
their
way
and
they
have
chosen
to
destroy
the
thing
because
they
haven't
been
given
the
answers
that
they
want
to
hear.
M
What
we're
trying
to
apply
is
a
very
subjective
response
about
what
is
and
what
isn't
appropriate
for
for
materials
in
a
library
to
an
objective
organization
like
our
libraries
and
so
I'm,
going
to
ask
you
tonight
to
do
what
I
ask
when
you're
done
with
the
deliberations
to
do
what
you
think
is
best
don't
put
on
the
ballot
put
it
on
the
ballot.
The
end
result
is
going
to
be
the
same.
M
Our
community
is
going
to
stand
up
for
libraries,
they're,
going
to
stand
up
for
parents
and
they're
going
to
continue
to
push
back
on
small-minded
individuals
who
look
to
destroy
the
thing
that
they
cannot
control.
So
thank
you
for
your
time
tonight
for
going
through
this
process
for
vetting
the
the
petition
and
giving
everybody
in
this
room
the
opportunity
to
share
their
feedback.
Even
me,
who's
a
little
long-winded
a
little
bit
of
a
blowhard
of
myself,
I
appreciate
the
time
and
attention
and
look
forward
to
seeing
what
decision
you
make
on
behalf
of
our
community.
F
F
So
as
a
councilman,
you
deal
with
policy
just
like
we
do,
and
so
I
think
you're,
probably
a
little
more
tuned
in
to
the
to
the
nuances
of
of
this
argument
that
the
other
side
is
making-
and
you
know
they
haven't-
testified
that
they
want
to
get
rid
of
libraries,
even
though
this
is
a
petition
for
dissolution.
You
also
said
you,
as
a
parent,
do
have
some
concerns
about.
You
know
your
children
having
access
to
you
know
materials
I
mean
as
a
parent
who
has
concerns.
F
M
M
That
I
was
not
comfortable
with
that
and
I
called
The
Library
District
to
voice
a
complaint,
and
the
director
called
me
back
and
she
sat
down
with
me
and
she
said:
let's
talk
about
this
and
I
said
as
a
taxpayer
and
as
a
parent
I
don't
want
my
son
having
access
to
those
materials
and
she's
like
great,
we
don't
either.
We
want
you
as
the
parent
to
be
in
charge
of
the
materials
that
are
in
your
house.
M
M
The
the
library
director
didn't
do
what
I
asked
really
glad
she
didn't,
because,
ultimately,
at
the
end
of
the
day,
I'm
in
charge
of
the
materials
that
are
in
my
home,
I'm,
not
in
charge
of
materials
that
are
in
their
home
or
in
your
home
or
in
your
home
in
your
home
I,
as
the
father
of
my
household,
have
an
ongoing
conversation
with
my
kids
about
the
materials
that
they
want
to
consume.
But
here's
the
thing:
it's
not
my
job
to
get
in
the
way
of.
M
If
there's
somebody
in
our
community
that
needs
access
to
these
types
of
materials,
good,
bad
or
different,
I,
remember
in
in
in
seventh
grade
we
were
doing
a
reading
thing
through
the
the
Meridian
School
District
and
I
brought
a
bible
to
read:
guess
what
there
are
people
in
that
school
that
were
offended
that
I
brought
a
bible
to
read
next
day
my
friend
brought
a
book
of
Mormon
to
read.
Even
more
people
were
offended
that
someone
was
bringing
the
Book
of
Mormon
to
read
Because.
M
What
we're
trying
to
do
is
to
provide
a
subjective
response
to
an
objective
organization
like
schools,
like
our
libraries,
so
from
a
policy
position.
Sure
it's
easy
for
me
to
say
this
is
what
Luke
Kavanaugh
thinks.
So
this
is
what
council
member
cabinet
thinks,
but
that's
going
to
be
different
than
what
some
of
these
individuals
that
are
here
are
thinking
and
that's
and
that's
what
allows
for
this
process
to
play
out
again.
I
think
the
mayor
touched
on
this
earlier
mayor
Simpson.
M
We
probably
need
to
take
a
look
at
some
of
our
state
laws
that
that
drive.
This
I
have
looked
a
number
of
years
ago
to
dissolve
the
Western
Ada
Recreation
District.
Most
people
in
this
room
have
no
idea
what
the
Western
Aida
Recreation
district
is,
but
many
of
them
are
taxpayers.
It
provides
Recreation
amenities
in
Western,
Ada
County.
It
was
going
to
take
25
000
signatures
to
bring
that
forth
on
the
ballot,
whereas
dissolving
a
a
credible
Community
institution
like
the
Meridian
library
district
required
less
than
100..
M
There's
some
issues
there
that
need
to
be
be
addressed,
but
those
are
conversations
for
another
day.
So
answer
your
question,
commissioner,
from
a
policy
perspective
to
try
and
provide
a
subjective
response,
I
think
ultimately,
you're
going
to
have
somebody
say
well
what
about
this
book?
And
what
about
this
book?
What's
great
is-
and
it's
me
and
even
our
community
have
touched
on
this-
we
do
have
a
pretty
unique
mechanism
which
is
elect
the
trustees
that
are
going
to
represent
the
district
file
complaint.
M
If
you
have
that
have
those
ongoing
conversations
with
the
with
the
representatives
of
the
library,
district
or
the
district
director,
but
if
you
don't
get
the
answer,
you
like
the
answer
is
not
to
burn
it
down
and
that's
not
what
our
country's
built
upon
and
I
think
that,
honestly,
if
we
all
talk
to
each
other
objectively,
we
would
all
agree
that
dissolving
the
library
district
is
not
the
right
response.
B
It
thank
you.
Okay,
Isabel
McDaniel,.
AO
My
name
is
Isabel
McDaniel
I
live
at
2092,
North,
Bing,
Avenue
and
I
believe
that
the
Meridian
library
should
not
censor
knowledge,
close
clubs
nor
shut
down
completely
I
as
a
minor
who
lives
close
by
the
library
and
oftentimes
I'm,
accompanied
by
many
friends
of
mine,
who
are
also
miners
who
like
to
come
with
me
to
the
library
I'm.
Most
of
the
other
people
here
are
offended
that,
like
a
mere
like
50,
signatures
can
take
away
our
first
amendment
and
mine
and
others
right
to
learn.
AO
I
have
three
Library
Keys,
one
that
I
keep
in
my
wallet.
One
I
keep
on
my
lanyard
on
the
same
lanyard
I
keep
my
house
key
on
and
I
also
keep
one
at
each
house
I,
don't
think
that
all
right
to
learn
should
be
taken
away
so
easily
and
as
a
minor.
Well
there's
so
many
of
us
here
I
do
believe
that
we
have
this
handy
thing
called
free
will
to
go
into
a
library
and
pick
out
a
book
that
we
choose.
AO
I
think
that
I
don't
need
to
be
told
what
and
what
not
to
read
by
anyone
with
an
echo
chamber
worldview
as
well
as
a
small
minded
mindset,
should
tell
me
what
to
read
and
what
not
to
read
people
who
refuse
to
acknowledge
the
right
to
bear
Witness
and
as
well
as
like
snuffle
minorities.
Experiences
such
as
the
lgbtqia
community
shouldn't
tell
us
what
to
read.
AO
People
in
those
communities
write
to
help
others
not
harm
them.
Some
may
say
that
grooming
others,
by
exposing
minors
to
mature
content,
could
be
harming
the
future
community,
but
I
believe
that
to
everyone
in
this
room
testifying
against
the
opposers.
AO
If
you
are
not
reading
the
content
that
you
preach
about
that,
you
preach
hate
about,
then
you
have
no
right
to
take
it
away
from
others
that
will
willingly
read
it.
People
such
as
myself
and
many
others
in
this
room
who
have
testified,
will
continue
to
learn,
read,
learn
and
read
things
whether
you
like
it
or
not.
If
you
can't
trust
your
child
with
a
book,
how
can
you
expect
a
child
to
trust
you?
Thank
you.
B
Thank
you,
Isabel
I
forgot
to
or
I
neglected
Noah.
The
next
three
is
Noah
damerel
Carrie
powers
and
Deanna
Humphries.
AP
Sorry,
I
gotta
take
this
up
all
right,
chairman
and
commissioners
of
the
board.
My
name
is
Noah
damarel
I
live
at
1732,
West
Clare,
Drive,
Meridian
Idaho,
our
David
longx
once
said
bad
libraries,
build
collections,
good
libraries,
build
services
and
great
libraries
build
communities.
The
Meridian
Public
Library
District
should
not
be
eliminated
because
many
people
use
the
library
for
educational
purposes
as
a
safe
space
or
a
place
to
go
to
after
school
and
to
connect
with
people
with
each
other
and
build
a
community.
AP
First
of
all,
it's
used
for
many
school
purposes
such
as
history
projects
and
pretty
much
anything
I
go
to
the
library
frequently
to
get
books
and
to
learn
about
the
things
I
like,
and
so
does
my
little
cousin
we'd
have
to
buy
our
own
books
without
the
library
which
is
easier
to
get
for
free.
Many
people
use
the
library
for
clubs
and
classes
and
as
a
place
to
meet
many
people.
The
Meridian
library
is
not
just
a
library
but
a
part
of
our
community.
AP
The
staff
is
accommodating
in
kind,
and
there
are
many
people
to
meet
at
clubs
and
classes.
For
example,
I
go
to
a
club
that
plays
Dungeons
and
Dragons
I've
met
lots
of
my
friends
there
and
the
club
is
a
part
of
my
life.
One
of
my
friends
from
the
from
the
library
says,
I've
met
so
many
amazing
people.
Just
by
going
to
the
Meridian
library,
it
has
really
helped
me
Branch
out
and
be
more
social.
Many
clubs
consist
of
ASL
story
times
for
children,
chess
and
many
others.
AP
Many
people
may
say
that
the
library
isn't
a
good
place
for
children,
because
some
books
just
discuss
different
topics
such
as
people
who
are
queer.
They
often
they
also
often
mistake
that
everything
that
is
queer
is
sexual.
However,
many
sexual
gay
books
have
warnings
on
them
and
can
only
be
found
in
the
teens
and
adult
spaces
if
your
child
checks
out
a
sexual
book.
That
is
your
fault.
AP
Not
the
libraries
in
the
name
of
the
residence
of
Meridian
do
not
take
away
our
library,
because
it's
a
strongly
recommended
educational
resource,
a
safe
space
for
children
and
part
of
our
community.
If
you
do,
how
can
the
Treasure
Valley
have
citizens
that
meet
the
needs
of
the
state
government
if
they
don't
have
the
opportunity
to
educate
themselves?
Thank
you.
Thank.
AQ
AQ
Considering
the
kinds
of
shenanigans
that
teens
can
get
into
hanging
out
at
the
library
is
downright
wholesome
and
it's
better
than
what
I
was
doing
as
a
teenager.
I
believe
that
reading
and
learning
about
other
humans,
through
the
safety
of
characters
in
books,
serves
a
critical
role
in
increasing
our
empathy
and
understanding
making
us
better
citizens
in
our
local
communities
and
the
World
At
Large.
The
Board
of
Trustees
are
elected
officials
chosen
by
the
majority
of
Voters
in
Meridian.
AQ
Anyone
can
choose
to
run
for
a
seat
on
the
board
if
they'd
like
to
weigh
in
on
what
books
are
available
for
the
library.
I've
heard
no
plan
from
the
petitioners
of
how
to
reopen
a
new
Library,
District
and
I
can't
imagine
how
they
would
replace
the
years
of
education
and
experience
of
our
current
Library
staff
and
trustees.
The
dissolution
of
our
libraries
would
be
an
enormous
disservice
to
our
community
I.
Ask
that
the
commission
care
about
keeping
our
libraries
open
to
provide
books,
magazines,
internet
access
and
other
activities
for
community
members
of
all
ages.
B
AR
Hi,
my
name
is
Dina
Humphrey
and
I
live
at
2362
West
rainwater
Court.
Thank
you.
I
wasn't
I
came
here
tonight.
I
did
not
plan
on
testifying
I
stand
in
support
of
dissolving
the
library
board
only
only
because
one
day
I
go
to
the
library,
because
I'm
hearing
all
of
these
rumors
out
there.
This
book's
here
this
book's
here
this
book's
here,
instead
of
taking
the
word
of
people
I,
go
and
research
the
library,
the
particular
day
that
I
go
to
the
library
I
take
my
six-year-old
granddaughter
with
me
because
we
love
the
library
too.
AR
She
is
with
me.
We
adore
the
library
that
Librarians
do
a
great
job.
The
programs
are
awesome.
Okay,
I
go
to
the
library
with
my
eyes,
open
and
I'm
hearing
about
certain
names
of
the
books.
Okay,
you
guys
have
the
information
I'm
sure
people
have
sent
them
to
you,
so
I
go
to
library
with
with
my
granddaughter,
sits
and
we're
in
the
children's
section
of
the
library,
and
my
granddaughter
goes
Gaga
look
because
she
sees
the
library
library
and
put
a
book
on
the
Shelf
in
the
kids
section.
AR
Okay
and
I
see
the
book
I'm
and
she
goes
look
like
it's
a
book
about
the
first
day
of
school
because
it
was
in
August
we're
going
to
start
school.
Sorry
I'm
losing
my
voice
anyway.
AR
I
look
at
the
book.
It's
a
book
on
the
cover
that
has
backpacks
on
it:
kids
holding
books,
okay,
it's
called
It's,
Perfectly,
Normal,
all
right,
I,
look
at
the
book
and
I'm
like
oh
no
grab
that
book
away
from
her
flip
fluid
through
it
and
I
was
I
was
appalled
six-year-old
girl,
I
watch
my
granddaughter
I
watch,
my
kids
I
sent
them
I
have
a
son.
That's
a
high
school
educator
as
well.
Okay,
my
kids
I
watch
like
a
hawk
I,
was
a
young
mom.
I
watch
like
a
hawk
I
was
so
upset.
AR
I
grabbed
that
book
I
went
to
library,
I
checked
it
out,
went
to
library
board
meeting
that
night
talked
to
them.
They
didn't
want
to
listen
to
me.
I
talked
to
him
at
a
board.
Meeting
last
week
said
pick
these
books
up
just
pick
the
books
up
and
put
them
up.
So
these
little
kids.
Oh,
we
can't
do
that.
First,
constitutional:
we
don't
want
to.
We
don't
want
to
ban
your
your
right,
oh
I'm,
seeing
it
had
to
get
to
this
point.
AR
B
AR
We
could
get
our
attention
I'm
wrapping
it.
Thank
you,
you
know,
and
the
thing
is
it
had
to
get
to
this
point,
because
you
guys
didn't
listen
to
us.
I
love
the
library
I,
even
adore
every
one
of
the
Librarians
there
in
your
programs,
I'm
here
only
listen
to
us
and
pick
up
the
books.
It's
not
hard.
Thank.
AS
Good
evening,
gentlemen,
my
name
is
John
nice
for
I
live
at
2875,
East
Autumn
Way.
Much
of
my
statements
already
been
covered.
I'm
gonna
hit
a
couple
highlights,
and
thank
you
for
being
here.
This
material
is
infused
in
every
shelf
and
every
session.
You
have
two
choices,
deal
with
it
and
take
your
chances
or
don't
use
the
library.
If
parents
do
not
want
their
kids
to
come
into
contact
with
a
sexually
graphic
or
obscene
material
shouldn't,
they
have
the
right
to
choose.
AS
Shouldn't
children
have
the
right
to
look
for
a
book
in
person
without
accidentally
coming
into
contact
with
blow
jobs
and
masturbation
technique.
My
daughter
tried
to
power
through
a
book
she
got
out
of
the
Teen
session.
Her
statement
really
bothered
me
dad
is
stuck
in
my
head
and
I
can't
get
it
to
stop.
That
was
after
she
read
a
graphic
portion
of
a
book
that
isn't
right.
A
child
shouldn't
have
to
deal
with
that.
AS
The
library
is
awesome.
We
love
the
library
we're
there
all
the
time.
My
daughter
has
a
goal
of
reading
100
books
this
year
and
she's
well
on
track
she'll
check
out
20
25
books
at
a
time.
She
she
does
her
research.
She
goes
on
the
internet.
She
has.
She
has
three
different
websites,
she
uses,
she
says
Dad,
they
don't
give
accurate
descriptions.
I,
I,
read:
I,
look
I,
try
to
do
my
research
and
I'll
get
the
book,
and
next
I
know.
There's
a
sex
scene
or
whatever
she's
like
and
so
she'll.
AS
Stick
it
by
the
door
and
that's
our
our
signal
for
in
the
family.
I
need
to
go
to
the
library.
We
love
the
library.
I
couldn't
imagine
our
city
without
it,
but
how
come?
We
can't
have
a
choice.
How
come
we
have
to
stumble
into
these
books?
How
can
we
have
to
just?
Oh?
This
book
looks
great
get
through
the
first
chapter
and,
oh,
my
goodness,
what
did
I
just
check
out?
What
is
my
daughter
reading
I
can't
read
25
books
every
week
to
make
sure
that
my
daughter
is
not
stumbling
into
something
accidentally.
AS
We're
not
just
talking
about
pictures.
We're
talking
about
story
lines,
we're
talking
about
literature,
Miss
Larson
mentioned
a
bunch
of
awesome
things
about
the
library,
district
and
I
agree
with
her.
There's
some
amazing
things
going
on
there.
They
do
a
phenomenal
job.
The
Librarians
I've
gone
in
there
after
school
and
at
about
three
o'clock
and
I've,
seen
all
the
teens
in
there
and
they're
interacting
with
the
staff,
and
it's
great
they
can
do
all
that.
AS
AS
I
would
I
would
love
to
see
you
guys
intervene
or
the
the
mayor
and
help
us
figure
out
a
solution
between
us.
It
doesn't
have
to
go
this
far
but,
like
my
predecessor
just
said,
we
don't
have
any
other
choices.
I'm
tired
of
my
daughter,
saying
dad
another
book
I
can't
please
help
Dad,
please
help
gentlemen
I'm
asking
the
same
thing
please
help.
AS
AT
AT
I'll
forgo
most
of
my
little
deal,
because
almost
everything
has
been
covered.
I
do
want
to
say
that
I
absolutely
support
the
library
and
I
have
personally
never
ever
experienced
instances
that
the
concerned
citizens
of
Meridian
talk
about
in
the
Meridian
library.
So
I
don't
know
they
have
a
completely
different
experience
than
I
have
had.
AT
The
trustees
do
an
excellent
job
and
they
follow
all
existing
procedures.
There
are
existing
rules,
regulations
and
procedures
to
cover
everything,
that's
been
discussed
tonight
and
I
hope
that
you
will
not
support
any
sort
of
dissolution
of
the
library.
Thank
you
thank.
B
You
Kirk
Van
Allen
next
up
would
be
Thomas,
bearwald,
Carol,
gabrielson
and
Diane
Powell.
AD
B
AD
I
posed
the
petition
and
I
want
to
keep
the
library
open.
Here
we
are
in
the
year
2023,
faced
with
the
Grim
reality
that
the
Meridian
library
district
is
to
be
entirely
dissolved.
Mike
Han,
the
author
of
this
position,
says
they
will
not
dissolve
the
library.
In
his
opening
statement.
This
Is,
A
Lie
from
the
Ada
County
website
it
says,
should
a
dissolution
occur
all
property
and
assets
of
the
library
district
shall
be
disposed
of.
We've
heard
this
multiple
times
and
after
unsuccessfully
petitioning
to
have
particular
books
removed.
AD
AD
I'm
especially
concerned
as
a
registered
nurse
here
in
the
Treasure
Valley
and
I
can
confidently
say
as
a
nurse
that
I'm
much
more
of
an
expert
on
the
subject
than
Mr
Sheridan
from
Illinois.
We
can
all
agree
that
our
children
should
be
protected.
They
are
the
most
vulnerable
important
part
of
this
community,
but
upon
closer
examination,
you
will
find
these
petitioners
arguments
absurd.
The
books
that
they
that
seem
most
irritating
to
these
antagonists
involved,
lgbtq
relationships,
puberty
puberty
and
sex
education.
AD
My
own
family
has
checked
out
many
of
these
would-be
banned
books,
the
most
laughable
offender
being
the
Captain
Underpants
votes,
a
cap
and
underwear
clad
comic
book,
Superhero,
fighting
the
evil,
doctor
diaper.
Of
course.
Of
course,
most
of
the
supposedly
concerning
books
are
tailored
for
teenagers
and
involve
teenage
topics
like
puberty
and
navigating
Teenage
life.
You
and
I,
as
parents
will
have
different
thoughts
and
about
Captain,
Underpants
potty
humor,
and
when
and
where
to
have
these
conversations
about
puberty
in
relationships.
AD
But
the
social
and
medical
research
is
clear:
kids
are
less
likely
to
have
teen
pregnancy
STIs
and
be
sexually
exploited
if
they
receive
appropriate
and
early
sex
education.
Reading
inclusive
stories
reduces
loneliness
and
depression,
especially
in
children
who
relate
to
these
characters
and
taking
the
taboo
out
of
sex
and
human
bodies
helps
Shield
children
from
predators
and
shame.
In
fact,
many
of
these
offensive
books
will
warn
the
reader
about
signs
of
abuse,
additionally
identifying
body
parts
by
their
proper
name
and
understanding
how
the
work
they
work
is
essential
to
a
healthy
life
for
everyone.
AD
As
a
nurse
I
know
that
90
percent
of
groomers
and
abusers
are
people,
children,
trust,
parents,
Partners,
family
and
neighbors,
not
strangers,
not
Librarians.
A
abuse
decreases
with
more
information.
This
protection
and
education
is
what
the
library,
the
library,
curates
age-appropriate
education
and
relatable
stories
about
puberty
and
relationships,
and
then
I'd
like
to
say
you
and
I
both
know
the
library
is
the
Bedrock
of
a
free,
open
Society.
Where
ideas,
however
different
from
our
own,
can
be
shared
and,
let's
see
running
out
of
time,
so
truly
to
favor.
AD
AU
Good
evening
my
name
is
Tom:
bearwald
I
live
at
6110,
North
Troy
way
in
North,
Meridian
and
I
speak
in
support
of
the
Meridian
library
and
against
the
petition.
I've
used
them
already
in
the
library.
Far
more
than
I,
only
I've
used
any
of
the
public
libraries
in
other
communities
where
I've
resided.
When
my
wife
and
I
moved
here
four
years
ago,
the
Meridian
library
provided
our
only
Wi-Fi
access
for
six
weeks.
AU
While
we
waited
for
an
internet
provider
to
connect
our
home
for
some
in
our
community,
the
library
is
still
their
only
place
to
connect
what
I
am
pursuing
my
post-retirement
interest
in
creative
writing.
The
library's
workstations
are
conducive
places
to
work.
Giving
me
immediate
access
to
many
materials.
I
need
to
reference.
AU
The
library's
mystery
book
club
helped
me
develop
new
friendships,
unlike
other
reading
groups
that
force
all
members
to
read
the
same
book
each
month.
The
Meridian
library,
Club,
selects
monthly
themes
and
invites
members
to
read
any
book
related
to
that
theme.
In
doing
so,
our
perspectives
are
broadened,
and
while
we
sometimes
have
Lively
arguments,
we
are
better
informed
and
we
become
more
respectful
of
our
diverse
perspectives.
AU
The
way
our
book
club
functions
is
a
metaphor
for
what
the
Meridian
library
does
in
our
community
is
a
source
of
information.
It
provides
access
to
valuable
resources
with
different
patrons
receiving
a
diverse
range
of
benefits.
The
library's
resources
have
many
different
perspectives,
and
individual
patrons
can
employ
these
resources
in
ways
that
best
suit
them.
AU
When
issues
outline,
this
petition
were
discussed
at
a
library
Board
of
Trustees
meeting
last
August,
more
than
80
percent
of
the
speakers
talk
positively
about
the
library
and
what
it
meant
to
them.
What
was
especially
memorable
to
me
was
testimony
of
some
women
who
had
endured
sexual
assault,
incest
and
abuse
when
they
were
young
and
who
found
the
library
a
shelter
where
they
could
find
information
in
books
that
help
them
deal
with
their
trauma.
We've
heard
comparable
testimony
tonight.
AU
The
Meridian
library
is
one
of
the
foremost
institutions
in
our
community.
It
serves
tens
of
thousands
of
residents,
and
its
connections
with
other
libraries
in
the
region
enhance
its
value.
The
library
has
a
formal
procedure
for
assessing
materials
that
some
people
may
consider
objectionable
and
the
library
board's
composition
can
be
altered
through
elections.
The
next
election
of
the
board
members
will
be
in
two
months:
I
urge
you,
as
Ada
County
Commissioners,
to
reject
the
petition's
request
to
conduct
an
election
that
could
destroy
an
institution
that
serves
meridian
so
well.
AU
AV
Good
evening
my
name
is
Carol.
Gabrielson
I
live
at
4231
East
EasyJet
Drive
in
Meridian
83642
I
come
here
tonight
in
support
of
our
Meridian
libraries.
I
was
also
in
attendance
at
the
library
board
meeting
last
year
on
August
18th,
when
the
library
board
opened
the
meeting
to
public
comment
close
to
100.
People
offered
comments
at
that
meeting,
the
majority
of
which
were
in
support
of
the
library,
a
small
group
of
concerned,
citizens
of
Meridian
Lodge
complaints
against
books.
They
labeled
as
offensive
sexually
explicit
pornographic
and
dealing
with
lgbtq
topics.
AV
These
people
gave
the
impression
that
these
books
were
easily
accessible
to
young
children
while
in
reality
most
of
the
books
were
not
available.
In
the
children's
section.
Some
of
the
concerned
citizens
accused
the
Librarians
of
grooming
children
to
be
more
receptive
to
being
molested
by
adults
for
the
majority
of
those
in
attendance.
There
was
a
common
sense
solution.
AV
AV
Parents
have
the
right
to
monitor
what
their
children
are
reading,
but
they
don't
have
the
right
to
tell
others
what
they
can
or
cannot
read.
Libraries
provide
many
vital
services
to
our
community.
They
are
essential
for
low-income
and
elderly,
significantly
improving
their
quality
of
life.
For
the
last
two
years,
groups
such
as
concerned
citizens
of
Meridian,
certain
members
of
our
Idaho
legislature
and
the
Idaho
Freedom
Foundation,
have
waged
a
war
against
star
libraries.
AV
This
isn't
they
want
the
libraries
to
only
contain
materials
that
agree
with
their
beliefs.
This
is
not
how
our
libraries
work.
The
following
is
a
quote
by
Aaron
Kennedy,
the
intellectual
Freedom
chair
for
the
Idaho
Library
Association.
During
recent
testimony
before
the
Idaho
legislature,
libraries
offer
materials
that
represent
wide-ranging
views,
including
those
that
may
be
controversial
or
unpopular.
There
are
plenty
of
books
in
my
library
that
I
find
offensive,
but
that's
the
beauty
of
libraries
there's
something
there
for
everyone.
AV
Many
of
us
are
growing
weary
of
these
groups
that
want
to
keep
our
communities
in
constant
turmoil.
There
are
so
many
serious
problems
that
need
to
be
addressed,
and
instead
we
are
spending
our
time
fighting
off.
Assaults
on
institutions
that
have
been
serving
our
our
communities
for
decades,
these
groups
pit
neighbor
against
neighbor
they
bully
and
threaten
good
people
who
volunteer
their
time
to
serve
on
school
boards,
Library
boards
and
various
positions
in
the
city
of
Meridian.
The
concerned,
citizens
of
Meridian
are
not
interested
in
compromise.
AV
B
You
thanks
Carol
Diane
Powell.
Next
up
is
Richard
shooter,
Schultz,
Bill,
Reynolds
and
Destiny
heart
go
ahead.
AW
AW
AW
I
would
like
to
address
the
Captain
Underpants
comment
that
was
brought
up
in
previous
meetings.
AW
AW
AW
AW
I
say
I
would
less
like
to
say
please:
let's
not
live
in
a
state
of
fear
and
control.
Let's
live
in
a
state
of
knowledge
and
communication.
Okay,.
B
K
K
A
Common
Thread
I've
heard
tonight
is
safe
space,
responsible
parents
but
I'm
going
to
tell
you
growing
up
I
hadn't.
Neither
at
six
years
old
I
was
molested
by
my
mother
I,
had
no
adult
authority
figure,
I,
I,
I,
I'm,
sorry,
I,
had
no
responsible
parent
I
had
an
adult,
authoritative,
figure
I'm
speaking
tonight
on
behalf
of
the
children
that
are
not
here,
crying
out
the
parents
that
are
irresponsible,
that
are
drug
addicts
that
cannot
watch
their
children
in
libraries.
They
don't
even
care
that
they
have
children.
K
K
AX
Hi
Commissioners,
my
name
is
Destiny
Hart
I
live
at
1089,
North
Lambert,
Way,
Meridian,
83642
I'm,
an
idahoan
I'm,
a
mom
of
four
kids
between
the
ages
of
4
and
12,
who
love
the
library
and
I'm.
Also
a
Meridian
library,
trustee
I.
Ask
you
today
not
to
place
this
item
on
the
ballot.
The
petitioners
state
that
they
don't
want
the
library
to
go
away
completely.
They
see
value
in
the
library
but
they'd
like
to
replace
the
board,
there's
a
process
for
that.
In
fact,
there
are
two
of
them.
AX
The
first
one
would
be
a
recall
of
board
members.
They
haven't
even
explored
that
option
and
that's
the
easier
one
right
that
should
have
been
plan.
A
second
option
would
be
to
engage
candidates
that
share
their
values
in
the
election
on
May
16th.
What
we
can't
do
is
set
a
precedent
where
citizens,
a
small
group
of
citizens,
specifically
disagree
with
a
governmental
body
and
then,
rather
than
just
go
through
normal
Democratic
processes,
to
replace
those
leaders
that
they
disagree
with.
They
just
burn
the
whole
thing
down.
AX
I
think
we
can
all
agree
that
that's
a
precedent
we
don't
want
to
set
here.
The
truth
is
this
issue
is
already
on
the
ballot.
It's
on
the
ballot
in
eight
short
weeks
on
May
16th,
when
two
Library
trustee
positions
are
up
for
election
I
am
running
for
one
of
those
positions
as
a
current
board
member
and
one
of
my
opponents
at
least
one
of
my
opponents.
AX
It
signed
the
petition
to
dissolve
the
library
District,
so
this
issue
is
on
the
ballot
in
eight
weeks,
I'm
prepared
to
have
those
conversations
with
voters.
There
are
a
number
of
reasons
why
what
the
concerned
citizens
are
asking
for
is
unreasonable,
but
that's
not
what
this
hearing
is
about.
This
hearing
is
about
putting
that
issue
on
the
ballot
and
I
would
just
point
out
that
it
is
on
the
ballot
I'm
ready
to
have
those
conversations
with
voters
as
a
candidate
I'm.
AX
AX
So
I
would
just
ask
you
not
to
put
this
on
the
ballot.
I
would
ask
that
we
continue
these
conversations
through
the
proper
Channel,
which
is
the
election
in
eight
weeks.
I
am
happy
to
to
talk
to
any
voter
who
wants
to
hear
why
we
can't
do
the
things
they're
asking
and
let's
talk
about
Solutions.
We
are
open
to
compromise,
but
what
we
cannot
have
is
folks
coming
into
our
meetings
when
we're
trying
to
do
business
as
I'm
sure
you
understand
and
tell
us
that
we
are
child
molesters
and
groomers.
F
F
A
library
trustee,
how
do
you
respond
to
some
of
the
comments
made
that
you
guys
have
not
been
responsive
to
constituents
that
you
know
you're
not
willing
to
work
with
both
sides?
Parents
groups,
citizens,
groups,
whatever
that
you
haven't
allowed
people
to
speak
at
meetings.
Could
you
address
some
of
those
concerns.
AX
So
we
consistently
had
a
public
comment
period
at
the
beginning
of
our
meetings.
That's
something
that
we
had
had
done.
It's
not
in
our
policies,
but
I.
Think
it's
good
practice.
Generally
speaking
and
folks
would
come
and
say
things
like
your
days
are
numbered,
non-specific
they
would
say
things
like
we're
not
going
away.
They
would
say
things
like
you
are
a
child
molester
and
I
will
make
sure
that
this
follows
you
for
the
rest
of
your
life.
AX
They
said
it,
okay
and
and
those
types
of
things
we
as
elected
officials
as
I'm
sure
you
know
we
put
up
with
that
kind
of
thing
right,
but
our
library,
director
and
our
Librarians,
who
are
sitting
in
that
room
should
not
have
to
hear
those
things,
and
that
is
why
public
comment
was
moved
to
only
a
written
format.
That
does
not
mean
there's
not
public
comment.
That
means
that
it
is
in
a
written
format.
AX
AX
So
it
is
a
falsehood
to
say
that
there
has
been
no
attempt
to
compromise.
It's
a
falsehood
to
say
that
that
you
know
there
hasn't
been
an
attempt
here
to
understand.
AX
When
I
first
became
a
trustee,
I
wrote
down
every
single
book
that
they
had
an
issue
with
and
I
just
went
and
bought
it
on
Amazon,
because
I
know,
there's
wait
lists
for
it
at
the
library
and
I
looked
through
all
these
I
have
four
kids
and
I
said:
are
there
things
here
that
I
would
be
horrified
about
and
there
aren't
and
I'm
the
kind
of
parent?
Who
will
my
kids?
Don't?
Have
the
internet
like
much
to
their
displeasure
they're
not
allowed
on
the
internet,
because
there's
a
lot
of
scary
stuff
out
there?
AX
AX
In
some
cases
it
is
impossible
because
this
has
been
done
before
libraries
have
in
other
communities,
have
tried
to
do
this
before
and
they
have
been
sued
and
they
have
lost.
So
this
puts
Meridian
library
in
a
position
where
we're
going
to
have
to
fight
a
very
expensive
legal
battle
against
something
that
we
already
know
isn't
going
to
fly
it.
There
is
a
First
Amendment
precedent.
AX
Maybe
we
get
some
folks
together
on
a
panel
and
talk
to
parents
about
how
to
have
these
conversations
in
their
families
about
values,
about
sexuality,
about
sexual
conduct,
because
the
library
is
not
the
only
place
their
kids
are
going
to
run
into
this
stuff
right
if
they
go
to
a
school
they're
going
to
run
into
this
stuff.
If
they
have
friends,
they're
going
to
run
into
this
stuff
and
I
get
why
people
are
scared.
AX
These
conversations
are
hard
to
have
with
our
kids,
so
I
think
that
that
is
a
place
where
the
library
can
provide
an
additional
service
to
the
community.
How
do
we
talk
about
this
stuff
with
our
kids?
How
do
we
reinforce
our
family
values
in
the
face
of
a
world
that
sometimes
feels
like
it's
out
to
just
destroy
our
family
values
as.
F
Has
the
Board
of
Trustees
ever
had
a
vote
on
any
issue
regarding
any
of
these
concerns
any
new
policy,
any
proposal
that
would
have
alleviated
some
of
these
concerns
has
there
ever
actually
been
a
vote
by
the
board.
At
any
point,.
AX
I
would
I
would
love
for
Meg
to
address
that
in
her
rebuttal,
but
we
have
policies
that
are
in
place
and
they're
really
good
kind
of
airtight
policies
that
address
these
these
types
of
things
and
we
follow
our
policies
and
what
I
feel
like
folks
have
asked
me
to
do
when
they
come
up
and
talk
to
me
after
meetings
is
they
say:
well,
you're
a
board
member.
You
can
just
do
whatever
you
want,
regardless
of
written
policy
and
I
said
you
don't
want
to
set
that
precedent
either
right.
AX
That's
not
what
is
expected
of
our
elected
officials.
There's
a
proper
way
to
do
this
and
and
the
concerned
citizens
are
not
doing
it
in
a
way
that
I
think
is
constructive
for
our
community.
It
doesn't.
It
doesn't
lend
itself
to
constructive
conversations.
What
does,
though,
is
the
selection
coming
up
in
eight
weeks
and
I'm
prepared
to
have
those
conversations?
I
will
have
them
with
anybody
who
is
willing
to
listen.
Thank.
B
AY
AY
At
2381,
West,
Snyder,
Street,
Meridian
83642
I'm,
here
to
speak
in
support
of
our
Meridian
library
system
and
opposed
to
the
dissolution
of
the
library
system.
I
do
not
have
kids,
however,
when
I
was
a
child.
It
was
a
big
part
of
my
life
growing
up
going
to
the
library
system
to
get
books
so
that
I
could
read,
love
to
read
and
my
family
didn't
have
the
money
to
buy
all
the
books
I
wanted
to
read,
so
the
library
system
was
very
important
to
me.
AY
B
R
Hello,
my
name
is
Andrea
Bailey
and
my
address
is
3657
South
Milan
way
in
Meridian
Idaho
83642
I
will
let
you
know
in
advance.
I
do
not
like
public
speaking,
so
this
is
very
uncomfortable
for
me.
So
I
feel
like
I
need
to
say
that
I'm,
not
a
confrontational
person,
I
also
want
to
quickly
give
a
quick
recognition
through
the
hello
Meridian
page.
That
is
how
I
learned
of
this
event,
and
so
I
appreciate
that
being
shared.
Thank
you
very
much.
R
So
I
will
say:
I
am
against
the
disillusion
of
the
meridian
libraries
or
whatever.
It
is
that
you
want
to
call
it
I'd
like
to
begin
by
sharing
that
addressing
the
disillusion
or
reconsidering
it
or
repurposing
it
whatever.
It
is
that
you
want
to
call
it.
It
is
a
concern
that
has
been
made
by
a
few
people
as
a
notion
of
protecting
our
children.
Yet
this
is
far-reaching
action.
This
far-reaching
action
will
have
extraordinary
consequences
for
many
people.
Our
children,
our
families
and
residents
deserve
a
community
to
learn
and
grow
in
without
censorship.
R
Our
kids
deserve
and
need
public
libraries
and
the
community
programs
that
public
libraries
offer
in
order
to
thrive
and
become
contributing
adults,
while
one
city
over
from
us,
which
would
be
Nampa,
is
growing
their
community
and
its
resources,
including
a
mobile
Library.
We
are
actually
placating
to
a
very
small
group
of
people
with
very
loud
and
unfounded
voices.
Libraries
are
a
place
to
learn,
engage
and
grow
and
experience
educational
opportunities,
especially
for
those
who
do
not
have
the
resources
to
do
this
at
home.
R
R
R
We
need
to
place
the
burden
of
parenting
back
on
the
parents.
If
you
don't
want
your
child
to
read
a
particular
book,
you
don't
want
them
to
see
a
particular
movie.
Listen
to
a
particular
music
go
to
a
particular
place,
engage
in
a
particular
belief.
Then
it's
up
to
you
to
monitor
your
child
and
raise
them
according
to
your
preferences.
In
your
comfort
level,
we
don't
need
to
impose
your
will
or
our
will
on
others.
We
do
not
need
to
live.
R
B
R
Up
I
will
wrap
it
up.
I
just
want
to
say
quickly
to
the
gentleman
who's
left.
Mr
Reynolds
I
was
that
child
I
was
that
young
girl
that
was
being
sexually
abused.
I
was
that
young
girl
that
was
being
mentally
abused
I
was
that
young
girl
that
was
at
home,
being
abused
by
her
parents
and
that
library
that
was
across
the
street
from
me
and
Caldwell
saved
me.
R
AZ
Hi,
thank
you
chairman
Beck.
My
name
is
Josh
Cummings
and
for
protest
purposes.
I
live
at
5945,
North,
Sanita,
Hills,
Avenue,
Meridian,
Idaho
83646.
Thank
you.
I
have
loved
libraries,
my
whole
life,
my
children
love
our
national
award-winning,
Meridian
Library,
District,
I,
often
chuckle.
When
I
hear
people
say
things
like.
Why
do
we
need
libraries
who
needs
books
when
we
have
the
internet?
Clearly
those
people
haven't
seen
the
maker
spaces
filled
with
technology
and
business
incubators
at
the
Unbound
facility.
AZ
In
Meridian
they
haven't
seen
the
thousands
of
community
members
utilizing
their
local
branch,
where
you
can
go
at
any
time
of
day
and
find
patrons
with
literally
arm
loads
of
free
books,
good
old-fashioned
books.
We
don't
live
in
North,
Korea
or
China,
where
the
elite
few
oppressed
the
mini
and
control
their
access
to
life,
enriching
information.
We
live
in
America
and
despite
the
fact
that
we
have
some
issues,
we
are
a
nation
that
Prides
itself
on
freedom,
we're
the
good
guys
fighting
to
bring
Liberty
opportunity
and
choice
to
the
oppressed
countries
around
the
world.
AZ
AZ
Please
do
the
right
thing
and
send
a
clear
message
that
you
support
the
idea
of
community
libraries
everywhere
and
dismiss
this
petition.
That
was
brought
forth
with
perhaps
good
intentions,
but
Mrs
DeMark
and
would
have
unintended
consequences
that
I'm
sure
the
petitioners
Never
foresaw
Integrity
is
often
defined
as
doing
the
right
thing
when
no
one
is
watching.
AZ
If
you
feel
like
this
petition
to
dissolve
the
Meridian
library,
district
is
good
for
the
community
by
all
means,
pass
it
along
and
lay
responsibility
for
that
decision
at
the
feet
of
the
voters.
That
would
quite
possibly
be
the
politically
correct
thing
to
do
and
when
asked,
you
could
simply
say
that
you're
letting
the
people
decide.
AZ
BA
BA
It
is
in
your
hands
whether
or
not
we
put
this
to
a
vote:
I
love
the
library
and
growing
up
stack
of
books.
My
parents
couldn't
get
through
them,
so
it
was
up
to
me
to
have
that
discretion.
I
have
a
young
one,
and
so
trying
to
keep
up
with
her
in
the
library
sometimes
is
a
challenge.
But
the
idea
is
I.
BA
Keep
her
close
and
I
choose
the
books
that
she
gets
to
read
so
I'm,
not
really
wanting
a
yes
or
a
no
I
would
like
that
to
be
in
your
hands
and
I
appreciate
you
hearing
us
tonight.
We
do
want
to
protect
your
children,
but
we
also
want
to
protect
our
right
to
have
books
and
have
the
library
and
have
those
resources.
The
Unbound
library
is
awesome.
BA
But
how
do
you,
as
we've
heard,
we've
had
people
who
have
gone
the
proper
routes
and
we
haven't
been
heard,
and
then
we've
got
the
board
of
directors
who
feel
they
are
following
the
First
Amendment
I
trust
that
you
will
make
the
right
decision
and
whether
or
not
you
put
it
on
for
a
vote
or
you
don't.
Thank
you
for
listening
to
both
sides
tonight,
because
that's
something
that
hasn't
happened.
Both
sides
have
not
been
heard.
So.
Thank
you
very
much.
Thank.
BB
Hi,
my
name
is
Rachel
Luttrell
I
live
at
243,
East,
Albert,
Street
and
I
am
for
the
dissolution
of
the
library
in
hopes
for
reinstating
it.
I
am
a
frequent
goer
of
the
library,
my
kids
love
pajama
story
time
in
the
regular
store.
My
sister
and
I
have
recorded
our
podcast
at
the
Unbound
library
and
we've
had
craft
nights
there.
In
fact,
I
had
my
last
birthday
party
at
the
Unbound
Library
I
love
the
library,
but
I
should
not
have
to
walk
into
a
place.
That's
supposed
to
be
for
everyone.
BB
They
say
it's
a
safe
place
for
everyone
from
the
littles,
all
the
way
up
to
the
adults
and
be
worried
that
my
daughter
is
going
to
pull
a
book
that
has
pornographic
not
just
oh.
Let
me
teach
you
about
your
body
and
let
me
even
when
saying
that
it's
taken
out
of
context,
it's,
how
can
you
see
pictures
of
penises
and
vaginas
and
masturbation
and
say
that's
taken
out
of
context?
BB
The
point
is,
a
child
can
pick
that
up
and
look
at
it
and
once
they
see
that
they
cannot
unsee
that
so
I
am
all
for
the
library,
I
love
the
library.
But
it's
got
into
this
and
yes,
there
were
other
things
that
were
done
beforehand.
There
were
times,
we've
gone
to
them,
and
how
can
you
say
that
the
first
amendment
should
allow
pornographic
material
and
explicit
material
be
given
to
children?
BB
B
You
David
Kessler
up
next
is
Mary.
B
Mary
Mosler
Teddy
sales
and
Lorraine
Welch
go
ahead;
I'm,
sorry,
okay,.
I
Sir,
my
name
is
David
Kessler
I
live
at
2096,
North,
Sapphire,
Place,
Meridian,
Idaho,
I'm,
a
grandfather,
I'm,
a
parent
I'm,
a
retired
military
and
I
support
unconditionally,
the
library
I'm
going
to
personalize
my
presentation,
gentlemen:
I
am
I,
wanna
I,
don't
want
to
make
an
assumption
here,
but
I'm
sure
that
you,
as
children
were
raised
going
to
a
library.
We
have
a
National
Institution
here.
This
is
something
that
everybody
should
take
advantage
of.
It's
something
we
we
treasure
it's
like
the
Library
of
Congress.
I
We
just
have
it.
Regionalized
in
Meridian,
I
support,
Meridian
I've
been
active
with
Meridian
I,
go
to
the
library
for
research.
I,
take
my
grandchildren
to
the
library
granted.
There
are
some
material
there
that
children
should
not
be
exposed
to,
but
every
parent
has
the
right
to
govern
to
take
control
of
their
kids.
I
I
Why
take
kids
to
the
library
to
begin
with
the
key
benefit
of
taking
a
child
to
the
library
as
a
parent
is
to
establish
an
example
of
reading
of
absorbing
of
learning,
and
this
is
something
as
essential
in
our
lives.
We
want
our
kids
to
have
the
best
education.
We
want
our
kids
to
be
able
to
generate
things
that
they
don't
unconceivably,
don't
know
about.
I
The
library
is
a
very
essential
part
of
this
community.
It's
a
very
essential
part
of
our
national
heritage
and
I
strongly
advise
that
you
don't
put
this
petition
up
to
the
voters.
It's
a
waste
of
time.
There
are
too
many
people
here,
supporting
the
fact
that
the
library
should
be
around
and
it
would
just
waste
money
time
and
effort
and
I
Gentlemen.
Please
remember
it's
up
to
you
to
make
those
decisions
and
I
hope
you
make
the
right
one.
Thank
you
very
much.
Thank.
A
Thank
you.
My
name
is
Mary
craviel,
Mosley
and
I
live
at
3661
North
timberlakes
Way
in
Meridian
I
can't
believe
that
in
2023
I'm
asking
my
County
Commissioners
to
reject
a
proposal
to
dissolve
the
Meridian
Library
District
I
am
a
native
idahoan
who
grew
up
in
Meridian
and
Nampa.
My
family
has
lived
in
Idaho
since
1884.
A
my
parents
settled
in
Meridian
in
the
1930s
and
helped
to
build
this
community.
My
mother,
as
a
teacher,
my
father
as
a
farmer
and
a
builder
when
I
was
a
child,
we
went
to
the
library
every
week.
I
cannot
imagine
living
in
a
community
without
a
library.
If
this
one
closes
I
will
have
to
seriously
consider
moving
when
I
bought
my
house
in
Meridian
more
than
10
years
ago.
The
first
thing
I
did
was
to
get
a
library
card
before
my
internet
was
connected.
A
A
A
A
A
A
P
I'm
Teddy
scales,
I
live
at
535,
East
State
Avenue
in
Meridian,
Idaho,
83642,
I,
live
work
and
I'm.
Raising
my
children
in
Meridian,
I
am
in
opposition
to
this
petition
and
I
will
share
my
why,
as
a
frequent
frequent
patron
of
the
library,
I
can
testify
that
the
Meridian
library
district
has
enriched
my
life.
My
young
children
have
been
benefiting
from
the
existence
of
the
library
since
infancy
and
now
that
they
are
tweens.
P
They
love
to
explore
the
children's
area
to
find
the
books,
movies
and
games
that
they're
interested
in
the
library
staff
have
only
ever
been
welcoming
helpful
and
Innovative.
In
supporting
my
children's
literacy
at
the
library,
we
have
the
opportunity
and
choice.
We
can
learn
about
keeping
backyard
chickens
filled
with
Legos
join
a
book
club
or
record
a
podcast
I
can
access
tools
and
resources
to
look
for
a
job
or
to
run
a
small
business.
P
These
are
not
all
programs,
I
need
or
I'm
interested
in
and
that's,
okay,
I,
don't
have
the
same
needs
and
interests
as
my
neighbors,
the
library
serves
our
community
by
connecting
us
to
resources
and
fostering
safe
space
for
everyone.
No
one
at
the
library
is
trying
to
indoctrinate
me
into
a
lifestyle
of
keeping
chickens
or
anything
else
and
I
have
the
discernment
to
safely
and
capably
enjoy.
The
library
with
my
family.
P
I
am
so
repeatedly
delighted
by
the
way
the
library
serves
our
community
that
I
also
volunteer
With
Friends
of
the
Meridian
library
district
as
a
volunteer
at
Book
Sales.
It
has
been
a
real
joy
to
me
to
talk
to
other
patrons
and
share
our
stories
and
love
for
the
library
I
hear
so
many
expressions
of
gratitude
for
the
way
the
library
serves
us
and
that
appreciation
is
not
limited
to
anecdotes.
P
P
Megan
shared
a
few
other
statistics
about
cardholders
in
January
of
2023.
The
library
checked
out
92
000
materials
and
hosted
3875
program
participants
in
January.
As
elected
representatives
of
Ada
County.
You
should
recognize
that
dissolution
of
the
library
is
not
in
the
best
interests
of
our
community.
Okay,.
B
BC
BC
The
country
is
founded
on
the
fact
that
the
people
in
this
country
were
not
represented,
yet
they
were
taxed,
and
so
what
we're
asking
is
simply
for
you
to
allow
this
petition
to
be
put
on
a
ballot,
so
we,
the
voters
of
Meridian,
can
decide.
Do
we
want
this
District
in
the
in
the
trustees
that
are
running
this
District
to
continue
to
operate
without
representation
to
the
taxpayers?
That's
all
we're
asking
for
we're.
BC
B
You
Sandy.
B
B
There's
not
an
address
like
it's
just
a
signature.
Okay,.
BD
BD
BD
BD
You
don't
have
to
be
on
Hitler's
hit
list
to
suffer
the
consequences.
Many
lives
were
lost
and
all
of
society
is
impacted
negatively
by
hate
and
War.
We
need
to
not
forget
about
what
that
kind
of
hate.
Does
we
need
to
remember
our
own
history
that
will
find
that
you
will
find
in
history,
books,
autobiographies,
historical
fiction
and
non-fiction
books
ignoring
our
own
history
or
whitewashing.
It
doesn't
change
the
fact
that
it
happened.
BD
The
stories
we
find
in
books
give
us
broad
view
of
the
world
we
live
in.
Those
that
want
to
contail,
curtail
our
ability
to
learn
from
books
are
doing
a
great
disservice
to
our
country
and
the
world.
We
do
not
live
in
a
bubble,
nor
should
we
want
to
shielding
your
children
from
books
that
you
deem
inappropriate
is
fine,
but
some
of
those
books
that
you
deem
inappropriate
might
just
save
one
child's
life.
Children
that
don't
seem
to
fit
the
norm
may
feel
isolated
from
their
peers.
BD
Finding
the
book
that
speaks
to
them
and
their
identity
might
be
the
difference
between
life
and
death
that
could
be
anyone's
child.
Even
yours,
you
might
think
you
are
a
shield
in
your
child
from
life,
but
you
aren't.
You
are
building
a
wall
around
them
that
you
can
that
can
crumble
at
any
given
moment,
sometimes
with
devastating
results.
Knowledge
of
the
world
around
us
is
empowering
no
one
in
history.
No
one
in
a
library
is
grooming.
BD
Your
child,
a
library,
is
a
place
to
learn
and
just
may
give
a
clue
to
has
clue
as
to
how
you
fit
into
this
world
and
to
expand
your
world
in
those
concerned.
Citizens
We're,
really
concerned.
They
would
want
to
learn
about
the
differences
in
all
of
us
and
embrace
it
rather
than
to
deny
it.
What
exactly
are
you
afraid
of?
To
put
it
simply,
removing
books
from
the
library
will
cause
much
more
harm
than
good
knowledge,
never
hurt
anyone,
but
ignorance
can
killed.
We
should
not
be
trying
to
follow
Hitler,
Stalin's
or
Putin's
Playbook.
BD
Why
would
we
want
to
all
autocrats
and
dictators
want
to
limit
the
information
that
is
available
to
you,
limited
Books
available
to
all
of
us,
and
banning
books
are
burning
books,
it's
just
the
beginning.
I
don't
want
to
live
in
that
world.
My
mother,
who
lived
through
Hitler's
War,
would
be
horrified
to
see
what
was
going
on
in
the
states.
If
you
want
to
keep
your
child
in
a
bubble,
you
can
try
and
do
so
at
your
own
and
your
child's
Peril.
Your
narrow
view.
BD
B
BE
Name
is
Jen
Dunlop
3359,
North,
Macon,
Place,
Meridian
I
came
here
tonight,
I'm
against
dissolving
the
library
originally.
When
I
came
in
tonight,
I
was
coming
in
to
share
that
I'm
an
Avid
Reader,
a
mom
I've
been
an
educator
in
westada
for
a
long
time.
BE
I
raised
my
kids
in
the
library
in
a
very
active
part
of
Meridian
and
being
here
tonight,
makes
me
love
Meridian
more
being
here,
I'm
almost
confused
because
I
keep
hearing
both
sides
say
we
don't
want
to
get
rid
of
the
library,
but
that's
what
this
is
being
voted
on
like.
So
how
can
we
say
we
want
the
library
we
just
want
to
change
it,
but
that's
not
what
is
on
the
ballot
I,
don't
think
dissolving
it
clearing
out
things
selling
it
and
starting
over.
That
sounds
like
doing
away
with
the
library.
BE
BE
F
BF
My
name
is
Claudia
Dunlop
3359,
North,
Macon,
Place,
Meridian,
Idaho
83646.
Thank
you,
I
stand
here
today
and
I
have
a
few
things.
I
want
to
talk
about.
First
I
stand
in
support
of
the
library
opposed
to
dissolving
it.
First,
the
people
who
were
advocating
to
dissolve
the
library
haven't
actually
talked
about
dissolving
It
All
We
Have
Heard
today.
Is
them
talk
about
reforming
the
library
and
putting
labels
on
these
books,
but
that's
not
what
they
wrote
in
their
petition.
They
are
talking
about
dissolving
the
library
and
starting
over
from
scratch.
BF
BF
BF
I
got
my
first
library
card
in
the
third
grade
and
I've
been
using
up
until
now,
when
I'm
a
junior
in
high
school
I'm,
the
library,
when
you
check
out
book
signs
at
the
bottom
of
your
seat,
it'll
tell
you
how
much
money
you've
saved
and
since
I
started.
Using
my
library
card
I
have
saved
over
thirty
thousand
dollars
on
books.
BF
If
these
people
want
to
reform
the
library.
That
is
one
thing,
but
that
is
not
what
we
were
discussing
today
and
that
is
not
what
the
definition
of
dissolving
the
library
is
going
to
be.
If
we
really
want
to
make
a
change-
and
they
really
want
to
do
something,
then
we
can
discuss
reform,
but
that
is
something
different.
The
library
changes
lives
and
has
done
so
much
good
in
our
community.
BF
B
Thank
you,
Claudia
Marcel,
stay
I'm,
sorry,.
D
Marcel
State
1083
North
Haven,
Cove,
Avenue,
Meridian
83642,
some
more
numbers
746.6
nyberg.
This
is
the
Dewey
Decimal
classification
for
my
favorite
non-fiction
book.
It's
called
Sunday
morning
quilts
by
Amanda,
Jean,
nyberg
and
Cheryl
arkison.
It
probably
saved
my
life
during
my
third
bout
of
postpartum
depression,
which
devolved
into
psychosis
from
lack
of
sleep.
This
book,
along
with
other
therapies,
showed
me
that
even
with
small
and
ragged
but
colorful
scraps,
I
could
sew
my
life
back
together
and
keep
living
for
myself.
D
My
family,
my
new
baby,
not
just
during
this
difficult
time,
but
the
patchwork
of
my
whole
life
is
seamed
with
books
and
bordered
my
trips
to
libraries,
wherever
I
have
lived
like
the
food
I
eat.
Every
book,
I
read
becomes
part
of
me
muscle,
Blood
and
Bone
like
vitamins.
Sometimes
I
need
more
from
one
book
than
another:
I,
don't
love
the
flavor
of
every
book.
I
start,
but,
like
I
tell
my
third
grader
about
books
and
dinner,
you
can't
say
you
don't
like
it
until
you've
tried
it.
D
When
books
come
to
us
at
the
right
time,
they
can
be
a
lifeline.
Librarians
are
the
guardians
of
these
moments
with
their
warm
welcomes
and
well-placed
recommendations.
The
brilliant
Story
Time
puppeteers,
the
after
school
buddy,
a
socially
awkward
girl,
finds
in
high
school
librarian,
the
inveterate
research
Partners
in
a
graduate
school
library
who
can
truly
find
anything.
The
trivia
nerds
the
book,
punsters
The,
reading
clowns,
the
many
Kindred
Book
Lovers
who
have
helped
us,
raise
our
children
through
many
summer
reading
programs
they
are
truly
the
best
people.
D
The
best
libraries
like
the
Meridian
library
are
collections
for
all
the
people
they
serve.
In
addition
to
the
746s
I've
spent
the
majority
of
my
professional
life
in
the
302s.
In
my
free
time,
I
get
to
gravitate
to
the
641s
or
the
635s
in
Lucky
years.
I
need
the
914s
and
in
The
Unlucky
years
something
from
the
690s.
Sadly
like
you,
Commissioners
I've,
probably
had
to
turn
occasionally
to
the
6
16s
or
618s
to
learn
more
about
a
disease,
diagnosis
or
treatment.
D
Recently,
I
turn
a
lot
to
the
649s.
To
help
me
raise
my
teens
as
resilient
and
contributing
members
of
society.
I
confess
I
have
never
checked
out
a
book
from
the
386s
on
fairies
or
the
675
on
leather
and
fur
processing
or
the
683s
on
reloading
shotgun
shells,
but
I
certainly
have
people
in
my
life
who
need
and
love
to
read
those
books
in
the
same
way
that
I
don't
need
them.
D
I
recognize
that
there
are
people
in
my
community
who
do
and
in
the
same
way,
that
I
know
that
a
quilting
book
of
all
things
saved
my
life.
There
are
readers
in
our
community
who
need
the
306s
and
the
613s.
It
may
even
save
their
lives
by
preventing
suicide.
Please
do
not
dissolve
the
Meridian
library
district.
Thank.
BG
Chair
back
and
Commissioners,
Davidson
and
Daley,
my
name
is
Suzette
or
Susie.
Hearts
and
I
live
at
3468
West
Toronto
Drive
in
Meridian,
Idaho
83646
I
have
lived
in
Idaho
for
about
14
years,
most
of
those
in
Meridian
and
I'm,
a
mom
with
two
young
kids
I'm
a
registered
and
active
voter
and
I'm
here
to
offer
my
strong
support
for
the
Meridian
library
district
in
opposition
to
the
petition
to
dissolve
it.
My
kids,
absolutely
love
going
to
the
library
it's
one
of
their
very
favorite
places
on
Earth.
BG
I
would
say
they
have
their
own
library
cards
that
are
linked
to
my
own
card
and
it
just
warms
my
heart
to
see
them
stack
their
books
and
movies
up
on
the
whenever,
whenever
we
go
to
check
them
out
all
by
themselves,
while
I'm
watching
over
them,
we
regularly
visit
the
Cherry
Lane
branch
near
our
house,
we've
gone
to
the
Silverstone
branch
and
we
really
look
forward
to
the
new
Orchard
Park
location.
When
that
opens.
BG
I
work
full
time
for
an
employer,
so
our
visits
are
mostly
on
the
weekends,
but
I
really
appreciate
and
love
to
see
the
extent
of
offerings
the
library
has
for
all
kinds
of
individuals
and
families
in
our
community.
Every
time
we
go,
the
library
stuff
is
absolutely
lovely
and
helpful
anytime.
We
visit
or
have
questions
and
I
really
feel
like
our
gems
are.
Our
libraries
are
gems
of
our
community
and
I
really
feel
fortunate
to
have
a
thriving
Public,
Library
System
I
feel
like
public
libraries
like
Meridian
library.
BG
BH
Please
deny
the
petition
against
the
Meridian
Library
District,
I'm,
retired
and
I
read
three
to
five
books
a
month
from
the
Silverstone
branches
Library,
my
wife
reads:
eight
to
ten
books
a
month
our
children
are
raised
to
utilize
the
library
and
value
reading,
our
daughter,
her
husband,
and
we
take
our
granddaughter
who's,
16
months
old,
to
story
time.
Every
week
at
the
Silverstone
branch
we
approve
of
all
the
materials
that
are
presented.
BH
BH
BH
B
Okay,
our
next
group
is
love:
Foster,
Jamie,
Martin
and
Nadine
nuxel.
B
BI
And
my
husband
and
daughter
will
have
a
chance
to
get
up
here
with
that
all
right,
so
this
shouldn't
even
be
possible,
such
a
small
group
of
extremists
having
the
power
to
gather
us
all
here
tonight
that
that
needs
to
change.
But
that's
not
what
we're
here
for
at
this
very
second,
it
shouldn't
be
something
unobtainable,
some
requirement:
that's
excessive,
but
not
just
50
or
even
100
signatures.
We
are
here
tonight
to
fight
for
freedom
of
those
young,
as
well
as
older,
to
have
Community
Access
to
books.
Books
I
mean
that's
a
wild
notion.
BI
It
sounds
dangerous.
It
doesn't
sound
like
freedom,
a
large
assistant
teaching,
my
child
not
only
to
read
but
to
also
have
a
wide
view
of
the
world
was
and
continues
to
be,
the
Meridian
Library
District
children
need
Parental
Guidance
at
times
when
choosing
books
at
the
library.
It
is
our
duty
as
parents
to
make
sure
our
children
are
picking
appropriate
content
based
on
our
family's
individual
needs
and
desires,
is
not
the
library's
job
to
restrict
access.
BI
Speaking
of
families
bonding
in
our
home
has
often
been
while
reading
books.
Together
we
have
saved
I
kid.
You
not
over
tens
of
thousands
of
dollars
on
books
over
the
years
because
of
the
meridian
Library
District
reading
is
a
regular
part
of
my
child's
bedtime
routine.
Still
at
10
years
old
after
school
reading
is
usually
the
choice
and
other
times
between
two
it's
places
like
the
library
that
have
helped
Foster
a
strong
love
for
reading
in
our
home.
BI
I
have
quality
memories
from
the
library,
Like
Preschool,
Story
Time,
like
other
people
here
tonight,
their
stuff
Darren
will
sleep
over
party
yoga
classes
that
were
held
in
the
past
much
more.
Most
recently
I
gave
blood
at
one
of
the
Red
Cross
Blood
drives.
That
was
held
there
clear
to
me
that
the
Meridian
library
district
is
not
only
a
great
tool
for
us,
but
for
the
community.
BI
If
you
look
at
the
books,
people
want
to
ban
a
few
subjects,
come
up
and
we're
not
talking
about
beyonding
right
now,
necessarily
but
censoring
for
sure
labeling
putting
stickers
on
them.
Knowledge
doesn't
equate
to
a
change
in
Behavior
reading.
A
book
won't
make
a
child
gay,
just
possibly
more
open-minded,
knowledgeable
and
maybe
even
feeling
accepted.
BI
BI
B
N
Go
ahead
good
evening,
I,
don't
actually
have
any
prepared
remarks.
My
name
is
Jared
vanderhorst,
895,
East,
cougar,
Street,
Meridian,
Idaho
83646,
but
I
do
want
to
voice
my
lack
of
support
for
this
particular
petition.
I
do
not
believe
we
should
dissolve
the
Meridian
Library
District
and
there's
been
a
lot
of
words
on
either
side
a
lot
of
emotions
expressed
and
I
sympathize
with
all
of
them
to
be
honest,
but
based
off
of
the
volume
of
comments.
N
I
do
believe
that
the
trustees
have
been
representing
because
their
constituents
accurately,
the
number
of
comments
we
have
received
is
vastly
outnumbering
in
their
support
and
I
believe
that
through
the
existing
Democratic
processes,
we
have
they
are
accountable
through
elections,
and
they
are
obviously
also
in
support.
Those
communities
is
currently
supporting
them.
N
I.
Don't
think
that
a
election
in
November
would
produce
the
result
that
the
concerned
citizens
of
Meridian
would
like
and
I
think
it
would
be
a
waste
of
time,
but
if
it
is
something
that
comes
to
pass,
I
will
certainly
be
canvassing
against
it.
With
my
wife
and
children.
N
I
also
hope.
Now
the
concerned
citizen
bridging,
have
also
said
that
they
have
felt
that
they
have
not
been
heard,
and
that
is
a
difficult
thing
to
experience
to
feel
that
you're
not
been
heard,
but
I
would
also
hope
that
they
know
that
listening
is
a
two-way
street,
that
they
are
hearing
the
people
who
have
also
spoken
today
in
favor
of
the
library
and
that
they
understand
that,
while
they
have
concerns,
not
everyone
shares
them.
Thank
you.
Thank.
B
You,
okay
I'm,
going
to
read
series
of
names
and,
if
you're,
if
your
name
is
read,
if
you
could
come
on
up,
oh
I
can't
read
this
summer:
cook,
Renee,
Jenkins,
no
Esther,
Falwell,
Johnson,
sure
Charles,
Johnson,.
BJ
All
right
hi,
my
name
is
Summer
cook
I
live
at
6512
North
Oakstone,
Avenue,
Meridian,
83646
I
spoke
in
August
as
well
at
the
library
Board
of
Trustees
meeting.
In
regards
to
some
of
the
issues
that
the
concerned,
citizens
of
Meridian
were
raising.
So
first
I'd
like
to
start
off
by
saying
I'm
a
lifetime
resident
of
Meridian
I
am
a
mother
I'm,
a
friend
of
the
library,
a
former
educator
in
westada
for
over
10
years
and
a
lover
of
books.
BJ
I'd
also
like
to
say
that
I
am
a
lover
of
policy
debate,
which
is
the
debate
that
no
kid
likes
to
pursue
right.
Everybody
wants
to
do
Lincoln,
Douglas.
BJ
BJ
What
is
being
put
on
the
ballot
is
the
dissolution
of
the
Meridian
library
district.
This
doesn't
mean
appointing
a
new
Board
of
Trustees.
It
doesn't
mean
shelving
certain
books.
What
they
have
done
in
their
petition
is
to
advance
that
Beyond
and
now
we
are
dealing
with
actual
legislation.
BJ
So
first
thank
you
for
being
here
and
for
hearing
this
and
your
due
diligence
as
tax
Commissioners
and
I
would
like
to
first
and
foremost
say
that
I
think
this
establishes
a
dangerous
precedent
of
government
overreach
and
it
burdens
our
already
overworked
Representatives
legislators
and
Commissioners.
It
is
already
using
tax
dollars
that
could
be
better
allocated
to
public
goods
and
need
needs.
As
an
educator
of
high
school
students
for
over
10
years,
I
have
seen
the
dangers
of
a
lack
of
representation
in
our
schools
to
our
students
and
their
well-being.
BJ
I
can
count
the
funerals
I
have
attended
for
students
that
have
lost
their
life
to
suicide,
and
that
is
a
direct
result
of
them,
not
feeling
representation
in
their
homes
and
their
communities.
The
dissolution
would
mean
services
that
so
many
in
our
community
rely
on
would
be
obsolete.
Technology
senior
support
for
taxes,
safe
places
for
visitations
spaces
of
inclusion
and
Community
for
those
with
special
needs.
BJ
B
Uary
does
silvash.
X
Good
evening,
good
evening,
I'm
Jan
Sylvester,
1775,
East,
Summer,
Heights,
Drive,
Meridian
and
I'm
here
to
support
the
Meridian
library
I
do
not
support
dissolving
it.
I
was
there
when
they
make.
We
voted
for
the
original
library
and
voted
for
the
next
one
and
the
next
one
and
have
utilized
it
for
several
years
and
I
think
there's
a
disconnect
somewhere
on
what
that
petition
actually
came
in
for
I
understood.
There
was
limitations
on
what
we
could
petition
the
Commissioners
for,
and
it
didn't
include
some
of
the
things
listed
in
that
petition.
X
B
BK
B
Okay,
Carl
Babbitt
Debra,
Babbitt,
Jana,
mccarth,
McClatchy,
mccachee.
B
BL
I
first
like
to
think
time
this
evening,
it's
Nishi
I'm,
not
Japanese.
My
children
are
a
few
weeks
ago.
The
Meridian
library
held
an
origami
event
seemed
simple,
but
I
was
thrilled
to
see
something
which
reflected
a
culture.
I
want
to
ensure
my
children
learn
about.
I
was
grateful
to
see
their
Heritage
represented.
I
can
only
imagine
how
someone
in
the
lgbtqia
would
feel
as
well
to
see
books
which
represent
them.
Libraries
are
built
to
provide
books
but
end
up
providing
so
much
more
to
their
communities.
I
am
proud.
BL
Less
than
a
month
ago,
I
came
to
the
same
Courthouse
to
report
for
jury
duty.
Ironically
enough,
the
case
was
about
disseminating
material
harmful
to
minors.
What
I
saw
in
that
courtroom
was
vastly
different
from
anything
the
library
provides.
Thank
goodness,
we
have
things
in
place
like
the
Miller
test
to
test
for
obscenity.
Thank
goodness,
we
have
the
First
Amendment
to
protect
free
speech.
BL
We
need
to
support
the
libraries
in
order
to
protect
the
First
Amendment.
Today,
more
than
ever,
the
request
outlined
in
the
petition
would
be
a
waste
of
taxpayers
money.
The
board
already
has
regular
elections,
and
those
elections
are
the
appropriate
time
for
the
residents
to
voice
their
opinion.
Those
wanting
a
change
in
the
board
should
utilize
the
existing
elections
and
not
close
down
the
entire
system.
BL
You
don't
get
to
close
down
a
library
because
you
don't
like
who
won
the
elections.
My
family
has
been
excitedly
awaiting
the
new
Meridian
library
at
Orchard
Park,
as
it
will
be
walking
distance
from
our
house.
What
would
happen
if
the
new
building
to
the
new
building
at
the
library
is
where
to
close?
What
would
happen
to
those
employed
by
the
library
district?
BL
The
Meridian
library
would
lose
so
much
I
cannot
imagine
the
tremendous
impact
it
would
have
on
both
the
team,
who
runs
the
library
but,
more
importantly,
the
community
that
serves
I
speak
on
behalf
of
the
entire
Nishi
family
when
I
say
that
we
strongly
oppose
the
petition
and
we
strongly
oppose
closing
the
Meridian
library.
Thank
you.
BM
BM
Commissioners,
my
name
is
Monica
McKinley
addresses
on
the
sheet
there
and
I've
lived
in
the
Meridian
library
district
for
almost
30
years,
I've
raised
my
children
and
now
my
grandchildren
on
books
from
the
Meridian
library
district,
like
myself,
thousands
of
people
utilize
these
libraries
and
their
many
many
services
every
day,
with
the
expectation
that
they
are
a
safe
and
educational
Sanctuary
for
our
children.
Unfortunately,
my
experience
is
that
this
is
no
longer
the
case.
Last
month,
I
took
my
granddaughter
to
the
library
and
we
were
in
the
library.
BM
We
were
in
the
board
book
section
and
she
picked
up
a
book
called
The
Dirty
Cowboy
by
Amy
Timberlake.
Well,
I
was
searching
for
her
favorite
rainbow
fish
books.
She
says
Grandma,
this
guy
doesn't
have
any
clothes
on
I
quickly
turned
around
grabbed
the
book
and
distracted
her
with
something
else,
but
she
can't
unsee
that
this
just
wasn't
an
inappropriate
book.
It
was
pornography.
Pornography
is
illegal
in
any
other
instance
other
than
at
the
library.
Again,
I
was
in
the
board
book
section
for
toddlers
who
can't
read
yet
I
was
right
next
to
her.
BM
It's
not
about
parents,
not
parenting
their
children,
as
some
tonight
have
said
it
was
unavoidable.
I
then
proceeded
to
take
the
book
up
to
the
desk
and
ask
that
it
be
taken
off
the
shelf.
I
was
told
I
had
to
fill
out
a
form
online
because
they
did
not
have
them.
There.
I
asked
what
would
happen
to
the
book.
In
the
meantime,
she
said
it
would
stay
behind
the
counter
until
a
decision
was
made.
We
then
checked
out
our
books
and
walked
out.
BM
However,
I
didn't
leave,
you
know
well,
some
of
you
might
know
me,
but
I
walked
to
the
window
and
I
watched
her
laugh
with
two
other
employees
and
put
the
bat
book
right
back
on
the
Shelf
in
full
display
mode.
This
is
not
appropriate,
nor
legal.
According
to
Title
18,
chapter
15.
and
I
I'm
not
going
to
read
it
because
I
don't
have
enough
time,
but
nobody
in
this
room
or
in
the
two
overflow
rooms
want
the
library
to
go
away.
BM
But
if
things
like
that
happen
and
the
current
board
is
not
willing
to
even
move
board
books
to
a
place
that
toddlers
can't
reach,
then
it's
time
to
let
the
voters
decide.
This
is
my
tax
money.
They
refuse
to
to
remove
them
or
move
them.
They
refuse
to
work
with
anyone
who
tries
to
meet
or
collaborate
with
them
and
distort
and
spin
the
facts.
You
guys
know
how
this
works.
BM
You
should
not
allow
people
to
decide,
but
there
are
125
000
people
in
Meridian
that
vote
and
that
doesn't
include
the
unincorporated
impact
areas
which
is
where
I
live,
there's
still
Ada
County
and
we
pay
taxes,
we're
taxpayers,
we're
voters
and
we
all
deserve
the
right
to
choose,
not
just
the
few
50
people
that
are
here
tonight
and
in
case
you
don't
all
know
h14
I'm,
just
going
to
finish
about
the
Bill.
Thank.
B
BM
B
BN
Thank
you,
Commissioners
I
oppose
the
this
petition
and
request
that
you
deny
the
petition
to
dissolve
the
Meridian
Library
District
I.
I
too,
am
a
concerned.
Citizen
of
Meridian,
but
not
part
of
this
group.
I'm,
a
parent,
a
grandparent
and
a
retired
teacher
of
34
years.
I
know
full
well
the
gift
of
libraries.
Over
the
years
to
my
children
and
my
sixth
grade
students,
the
library
board
and
Library
staff
do
not
serve
as
the
parent
of
your
child.
There
is
no
pornography
or
obscene
material,
as
the
law
defines
it.
BN
Believe
me,
there
are
many
things
over
my
72
years
that
have
been
offensive
to
myself
and
my
family
I
have
no
doubt
that
the
CCM
would
agree
that
whatever
I
find
offensive
should
not
be
denied
to
them
and
their
families.
It's
called
the
First
Amendment
there
are
materials.
I
may
not
want
my
children
or
grandchildren
to
read.
That's
my
choice.
The
Meridian
library
district,
making
it
available
to
all
does
not
mean
that
they
are
making
me
read
or
check
out
certain
materials.
BN
People
must
have
access
to
materials.
I,
don't
want
restrictions
on
books.
I
want
to
thank
a
few
of
the
dedicated
Library
workers
who
my
family
and
I
encounter
many
days
a
week.
Miss
Page,
Mr
Travis,
said
Miss
Gabby
story
time
and
don't
forget
the
home
school
support
that
is
provided
senior
programs,
home
delivery
and
the
Teen
programs.
My
husband
and
I
put
books
on
hold
at
our
Silverstone
Branch.
We
are
notified
when
they
are
in
online
and
the
staff
puts
him
on
a
cart.
BN
You
have
no
idea
how
convenient
this
is
to
us,
especially
as
we
age
I
am
here
in
support
in
my
neighborhood
church
and
school
for
the
Meridian
Library
District,
the
value
libraries
bring
to
a
community
is
essential.
It's
a
gift.
Intellectual
freedom
is
important.
We
all
must
express
ideas
and
still
disagree
for
children
from
Meridian.
The
library
is
a
gift
and
a
window
to
a
larger
world
that
some
may
never
see,
or
they
may
choose
to
see
and
travel
in
their
future.
BO
My
name
is
Mike.
Riddle
live
at
1855,
East,
Townline,
Way,
Meridian,
I,
trust,
full
trust
in
you,
gentlemen,
that
you've
been
able
to
see
the
number
of
logical
fallacies
given
tonight
the
sensationalism,
the
false
arguments
and
the
mischaracterization.
In
many
of
these
arguments,
the
argument
is
not
about
parental
Authority.
We
don't
just
that's
not
the
issue
here.
Parents
have
full
authority
over
their
children
will
make
mistakes.
BO
They
seem
to
miss
that
one.
Don't
they
well,
it's
not
about
parent
Authority,
we're
not
trying
to
take
any
Authority
away
from
any
parents.
It's
not
about
burning
and
banning
books
either.
That
is
complete,
logical
fallacy.
When
people
bring
that
up,
we
are
not
Nazis
who
are
not
extremists.
That
is
sensationalism
and
I.
Hope.
People
see
that
and
it's
not
about
censorship
in
no
way
have,
we
said,
take
the
books
out
of
the
library
nope
that
has
not
been
discussed.
BO
It's
not
one
of
the
options
we
bring
to
the
table,
so
I
hope
you've
seen
the
logic
of
fallacies
and
you
can
base
your
decision
on
the
merits
of
the
real
argument
and
part
of
that
argument
deals
with
simply
moving
some
books,
so
miners
cannot
have
so
ease
of
access
to
it.
That's
what
we're
looking
at
the
other
part
of
it
is
a
little
more
difficult.
What
is
harmful
to
our
children.
That's
a
difficult
decision.
I'd
like
to
read
to
you
about
the
state
constitution,
Idaho
state
constitution.
BO
The
Preamble
leads
reads
this
way:
the
we,
the
people
of
the
state
of
Idaho,
grateful
to
our
almighty
God
for
our
freedom
to
secure
its
blessings
and
promote
our
common
welfare,
establish
this
constitution
notice.
It
does
have
the
words
almighty
God
in
there.
If
you
want
to
find
out
who
that
is,
you
can
go
to
the
library
and
check
out
the
Bible,
find
something
about
him,
but
I'd
like
to
read
to
you
from
Article
1,
the
Declaration
of
Rights,
section,
four
guarantee
of
religious
liberty.
BO
The
exercise
and
enjoyment
of
religious
faith
and
worship
shall
forever
be
guaranteed
and
no
person
shall
be
denied
any
civil
or
political
right,
privilege
or
capacity
or
an
account
of
his
religious
opinions,
but
the
liberty
of
conscience,
hereby
secured,
shall
not
be
constitute,
constitute
to
dispense
with
Oaths
Oaths
or
affirmations
or
excuse
acts
of
lasciviousness
or
Justify
polygamous
or
other
pernicious
practices.
Inconsistent
with
morality,
listen
now,
I
sent
the
access
means
this
immorality,
dishonesty
depravity
or
sin.
Those
who
don't
know
what
sin
is
go
to
the
library
and
check
out
the
Bible.
BO
BP
My
name
is
Shane
Plummer
I'm,
a
Meridian
resident
I
live
at
546
Blake
Street,
zip
code,
83646
I
run
an
Instagram
page
focus
on
the
great
state
of
Idaho
I
host,
a
podcast
that
discusses
issues
and
topics
specific
to
the
Treasure
Valley
and
I
work
for
a
local
construction
company,
I
love
and
am
in
love.
With
this
state,
I
advocate
for
the
protection
of
the
meridian
Library
District
I've
tried
to
approach
with
curiosity
and
open
mind
the
petition
and
the
claims
that
the
petitioners
have
made
and
much
likes
them
like
them.
BP
I
too,
am
incredibly
concerned,
but
for
very
different
reasons.
I
feel
I
should
start
by
stating
clearly
that,
because
we
have
different
opinions
or
beliefs,
we
are
not
enemies.
We're
fellow
members
of
a
community
that
strives
to
be
a
healthy
and
safe
place
to
live
and
raise
our
kids.
There
are
obviously
differences
in
what
we
believe
and
that's
good.
A
healthy
Community
can
coexist
with
a
diversity
of
beliefs,
provided
they
have
common
ground
to
stand
on.
Whether
we
choose
to
see
it
or
not.
All
of
us
have
a
lot
of
common
ground.
BP
We
all
want
a
community
with
low
crime.
We
want
a
safe
place
to
raise
our
kids.
We
want
freedom
from
others
dictating
how
we
should
live
our
lives.
We
want
respect
and
common
decency
shown
to
us
and
we
want
people
to
slow
down
on
the
roads.
As
long
as
we
have
those
core
things
in
common,
we
should
be
able
to
navigate
around
and
even
disagree
on
the
differences
civilly.
BP
BP
It
also
feels,
like
other
unstated
concerns,
might
be
imposing
teaching
on
young
children
about
sexual
orientation
in
schools,
which,
in
all
fairness,
is
a
concern.
I
share
those
concerns
are
valid
and
something
we
should
talk
about
as
a
community
but
superimposing
those
core
issues
onto
a
separate
issue,
such
as
the
existence
of
the
MLD,
creates
a
strategic
attempt
to
isolate
and
marginalize
our
friends,
neighbors,
family
members
and
children,
who
don't
share
the
petitioner's
unique
views,
and
it
does
so
with
the
expense
of
an
institution
that
benefits
all
of
us
on
every
side
of
the
issue.
BP
BP
It
appears
to
me
that
the
claims
are
not
meant
to
be
considered
on
their
own
Merit
rather
to
stoke
fear
in
the
other,
in
the
minds
of
those
members
of
our
community
who
have
been
made
to
think
that
they
are
already
under
attack
by
ideas
and
cultures
that
threaten
their
own.
The
idea
of
Us
Versus
Them
is
not
founded,
in
fact,
and
it's
not
healthy
for
our
community.
Now
more
than
ever,.
BP
B
Okay,
the
time
is
getting
close
to
it's
9
54
and
we
as
a
board,
had
determined
that
we
would
run
this
through
10
o'clock
and
obviously
there's
many
more
people
that
want
to
speak
to
this.
So
we
will
extend
this
hearing
until
Tuesday
I
mean
Wednesday
night
Wednesday
night
at
six
o'clock,
so
everyone
that
I'm
going
to
read
a
couple
more
names,
because
we
do
have
a
few
more
minutes.
But
then
we
will
close.
E
B
Herring
and
everyone
that
didn't
get
a
chance
to
speak
tonight,
you're
all
welcome
to
come
back
on
Wednesday
at
six
o'clock
and
we
will
hear
everyone
that
wants
to
speak,
because
we
want
to
make
sure
that
everyone
in
the
community
has
an
opportunity
to
present
their
views
on
this
issue.
For
for
our
deliberations,
so
I'm
going
to
call
out
a
few
more
names
and
then
we
will
adjourn
the
meeting
tonight
and
reopen
it
again
on
Wednesday
at
six
o'clock:
okay,
Yolanda
Michaels.
V
Thank
you
chairman
and
Commissioners.
My
name
is
Yolanda
Michaels
and
I
live
within
walking
distance
to
the
Silverstone
branch.
I
am
in
support
of
the
Meridian
library
district.
Currently,
the
library
operates
in
partnership
with
parents
and
the
majority
of
Meridian
citizens
and
I
encourage
you
to
deny
the
petition.
V
Meridian
is
a
highly
intelligent
and
compassionate
Community,
allowing
a
small
group
to
attempt
to
dissolve
an
entire
library
system,
or
even
one
Library
would
be
a
huge
blow
to
this
community.
If
the
vote
carries
I'm
also
concerned
about
the
potential
wasted
resources
involved
in
moving
forward
with
the
vote,
libraries
and
Free
Speech
are
the
Bedrock
of
an
informed
and
educated
citizenry.
V
Should
the
library
be
dissolved
by
a
vote,
it
will
remove
free
and
vital
resources
for
Education
Community,
Building,
Safety
and
entertainment,
which
would
disproportionately
affect
lower
income
families,
the
disabled
members
of
the
community
and
the
elderly.
We
don't
know
how
long
libraries
would
be
closed
to
the
community.
While
real
estate
re-establishment
is
worked
out,
it
could
be
years
only
in
the
library
will
you
find
a
full
spectrum
of
citizens
at
all
income
levels,
religions,
ages,
genders
and
political
beliefs.
V
V
V
I
am
a
lifelong
reader
because
of
the
Open
Access
to
local
libraries.
My
mother
made
it
clear
that
she
was
the
final
approver
of
any
book
we
chose
to
check
out,
and
some
went
back
on
the
Shelf,
sometimes
as
a
teen.
I
got
myself
into
trouble
with
my
choices,
but
it
never
occurred
to
her
to
punish
the
library
for
my
bad
choices.
V
That
is,
as
it
should
be.
Librarians
are
empowered
to
inquire
whether
a
child
should
check
out
a
particular
book
movie
or
other
materials
and
confer
with
a
parent
about
content.
They
know
the
responsibility
they
carry
as
guardians
of
free
speech
to
and
to
the
children
and
parents
they
are
dedicated
to
serving
the
library,
belongs
to
everyone
and
should
not
be
held
hostage
by
politics
or
personal
belief
systems
by
the
petition.
V
By
rejecting
the
petition,
the
commission
resets
The
Firm
line
that
no
group
has
the
right
to
cross
the
right
and
responsibility
of
each
parent
to
manage
their
own
children,
including
what
they
read
or
watch.
This
is
really
about
the
control
of
the
few
over
the
majority
and
it
likely
won't
stop
here.
Libraries
have
always
stood
outside
of
all
politics
or
extremism,
and
they
have
carried
that
balance
thoughtfully
and
with
high
regard
to
providing
services
to
every
single
person
in
the
district
they
serve.
Thank
you.
B
And
we
have
all
we
have.
We
will
adjourn
this
meeting
for
this
evening
and
we
will
take
it
up
again
at
six
o'clock
on
Wednesday.