LIBRARY NETWORK ELECTION: Vote for Meyer and McCrea

Trustees serve as advocates of intellectual freedom. Tim Plass announced his candidacy for the North Idaho College Zone 5 trustee seat in August 2022. In his release statement, Plass noted a need to, “…realign NIC’s direction to reflect the values of the community.” Plass later withdrew his name from consideration with Mike Waggoner receiving the official endorsement. However, he shared this same message as reasoning for pursuing the CLN trustee role. Ron Hartman, while running for the Zone 1 trustee role with NIC provided more clarity during a podcast by stating the college should reflect the Christian values of the community.

Christian values do not fill me with concern because I was raised with those values. Rather, my concern lies with the people who see themselves as the true arbiters of how these values should be interpreted and applied to our shared community. Especially when it infringes on the intellectual freedom and rights of others.

Public libraries are often described as ‘the people’s university,’ allowing constituents to easily and affordably self-educate. Thomas Jefferson once remarked in a letter to Richard Price, “…wherever the people are well informed they can be trusted with their own government.” To be well informed one must have access to a diverse collection of resources. Libraries that serve the people do just that.

On May 16, please vote to re-elect Regina McCrea and Judy Meyer who will continue to support and protect the intellectual freedoms of our community.

BRIAN SEGUIN

Coeur d’Alene