Dunkirk library director fired

DUNKIRK — Public library director Alesia Franklin was fired Tuesday on a 6-1 vote by the board that came suddenly and without public discussion.
“I’m done,” a stunned Franklin told board president Sandy Rogers, the sole board member to vote against the firing. “Here’s all the minutes,” she added, handing a stack of papers to Rogers. “Have at it.”
Board member Tom “Chip” Phillips II had called for Franklin’s resignation at a September meeting, but Franklin declined to resign, telling the board it would have to force her out.
Tuesday, that’s exactly what the board did.
Andrea Ritter made the motion “for the immediate dismissal of our director Alesia Franklin.” Board member Gary Wilson seconded.
Ritter, Wilson, and Phillips were joined by board members Myia Starr, Stephanie Walter, and Rodney Jackson in voting for dismissal.
Silence followed the motion to fire Franklin, and when members of the public posed questions, Phillips said those should wait until the end of the meeting.
“We need to move on with the agenda,” he said.
Supporters of Franklin, who has served as head librarian and director of the Dunkirk Glass Museum for 11 years, were caught of guard by the swift action.
Petitions have been circulating in Dunkirk in Franklin’s support. Another petition has been calling for the reinstatement of longtime children’s librarian Mary (Newsome) Foor, who was fired several weeks ago by Franklin.
Franklin gathered up her purse and a few personal belongings from her office before leaving the library Tuesday night. She may be issuing a personal statement in reaction to the firing shortly.
“I’m done,” she repeated as she left the building.
In addition to questions over personnel matters, board members had expressed concerns about delays in implementing plans to renovate the former Stewart Brothers Furniture Store building on South Main Street as a new home for the library and glass museum.
The Dunkirk Economic Development Commission has acquired the Stewart building specifically for use as a new home for the library and museum, but the project has been stalled for several months.
The estimated cost of renovating the old furniture store as a library and museum has been estimated at $1,440,000. Plans had called for an application by the library board through the city of Dunkirk for a grant from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. In addition, funds have been set aside at the Dunkirk Foundation for the project.

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