Reaction on issues at library

To the editor:
I have worked at the Dunkirk Public Library for 16 years. I loved working with the children and doing the programs with them. I would like to thank all the people in and around Dunkirk who attended the board meeting on Sept. 18 on my behalf.
I found that the love and friendship I have shown you and your children through the years made me happy and I miss all of you very much. I tried to help you with your needs. I will always keep you in my heart.
I am sorry for all the drama, but I know you are behind me, and that makes dealing with this a lot easier to handle.
God bless all of you and your families.
Mary Foor
Dunkirk

To the editor:
I have been a resident of Dunkirk for 39 years, and I heard of an incident that happened on Tuesday, Sept. 18 that was very upsetting.
It is my understanding that when you are appointed to and accept a position on a board that you are there to do a job. I don’t know who the members of the (Dunkirk) library board are, but what happened that night, in my opinion, was unethical and really makes me question why you are on the board.
When a disgruntled terminated employee’s family can come to a meeting to vent about the loss of employment that the board had voted unanimously to terminate, what is going on? Why was this allowed? Is this legal? I thought that “witch hunts” went out in the 1800s. I feel like Ailesia Franklin was the scapegoat for a decision that wasn’t hers alone. Also, there apparently were more incidents that led up to the termination of this employee. I am sorry this person lost her job, but in saying that, there has to be just cause or the board would have voted differently. I can’t see the board agreeing to do this in lieu of just one incident.
Was it brought up in this Ailesia-bashing meeting about the years of service that she has given to this community? The city social would not be what it is if not for her, her husband, and all the people that they get to help them. I have heard from several citizens of Dunkirk how much their children have enjoyed themselves when they go. I think it is a great thing for the children of this community to have. The programs at the library that have been implemented for children are greatly needed to help them find the love of books and reading. Ailesia has been on several committees and has done so many things for the youth of Dunkirk.
I feel if anyone can give of their time to make the community in which they live a better place for everyone, this is something we should encourage. Our youth here need things they can participate in to help them make good life decisions, because one stupid mistake can change the course of their lives forever.
I hear that there will be another meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 9, and I would encourage anyone to attend who feels as if the meeting on Sept. 18 was questionable.
In closing, yes I am a friend of Ailesia’s. She has no idea that I am writing this letter to the editor and if she did she would probably tell me not to. I can’t accept the concept that we elect people to be on a board and things like this are allowed to happen. Who selects the board members?
Georgia Brosher
Dunkirk[[In-content Ad]]