Harvey Public Library District board appoints two new members after trustee abruptly resigns

The Harvey Public Library District board appointed two new members during a special meeting on Nov. 12, filling vacancies left after one trustee passed away and another resigned. The original start time was 6:30 P.M., but began at least 30 minutes late.

JoAnn Nesbitt passed away in July. Monique Williams abruptly resigned from the board a week before the meeting.

The new trustees expressed their enthusiasm for joining the board and their commitment to serving the community.

“I’m just honored to help the kids out in the community. I’m honored to help the library board make a great decision, that’s why I’m here,” Angelette Taylor, who unsuccessfully ran for City Council in 2023, said. “I’m about the community.”

Felicia Powell Johnson, a known fixture at the Harvey Park District headquarters, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “I just want everybody to come out and support the library so that people know that it’s here. I’m not new to Harvey,” Johnson went on, “and I’m not a fan of all of [the] bickering. I just want to do what’s right for the residents.” 

In Williams’ letter, she expressed her commitment to an inclusive and ethical environment, but felt the board’s leadership acted in ways that conflicted with her own values, dubbing some actions “inherently corrupt.”

Leadership “prioritized personal agendas over the welfare of our library and its patrons,” Williams wrote. “The lack of financial transparency in financial dealings, disregard for established policies, and failure to uphold ethical standards created an atmosphere that is not conducive to the mission we are meant to serve.”

“In her letter, she states about the transparency of our board and violations of OMA and so I just hope — and I’ve said it several times,” trustee Charwana Morgan began, “and I hope that this letter helps you all understand that you have to follow procedure. You have to follow procedure. You’re losing a good trustee.”

Treasurer Tamika Price contested Morgan’s statement, namely the mention Open Meetings Act violations, or really lack thereof, in Williams’ letter.

“I would like to address that everything has been done above board; transparency, books in order, no corruption,” Tamika Price said. “I also want to clarify that she did not make allegations about OMA violation[s].”

But public commenters in several recent meetings have expressed qualms with transparency and communication from the board, including vacancy appointments and relevant paperwork.

Morgan raised questions about the board’s procedure to fill open seats. “How was [they] made aware of the position if it’s not posted that there’s a vacancy. I believe we’re supposed to post a vacancy,” Morgan said.

The library board has bylaws on its website. 

“In the event of a vacancy, the Vice President shall have the right to restructure its officers immediately,” according to an amendment. But the amendment does not specify a vacancy appointment procedure, namely if notices are to be posted for public interest.

The library board attorney cited the Illinois Library Act, which does not mandate libraries to post vacancy notices. 

It has been board practice, at least, to tell residents at board meetings and accept letters of interest from the public. That was the case last year when Yadira Garcia resigned from the board. It’s immediately unclear if the board received letters of interest for Nesbitt and Williams’ seat.

According to state law, a board has 90 days to make an appointment. Nesbitt had passed away nearly four months prior to her seat being filled, but the board voted to officially vacate the seat in November and fill it that night.

Treasurer’s report

The cash balance for the Regions Bank account as of September 2024, was $3,161,284.93, according to treasurer Price. The net income from the profit and loss statement through June 2024 was $881,250.27.

Public comment

Andre’a Paxton of the Harvey Area Chamber of Commerce requested the library attorney be more explicit in identifying and explaining rules, namely when he referenced the state library act.

Aaron McCaskill, an Harvey Park District commissioner and son of board president Anthony McCaskill, who’s wife Kisha McCaskill serves as executive director there, posed two questions for Morgan.

“Trustee Morgan, by chance, how long have you been on the board? I’m just asking. When did you get elected or appointed? That’s all I’m asking.”

Morgan did not answer his questions. Public comment is simply to get statements on the record; elected officials do not respond.

The second question: “Well, if you don’t know the bylaws that you guys have set in place, how would you know anything about finance[s] that you guys got going on?” McCaskill asked Morgan. “Because if you don’t know the rules that you guys are supposed to follow, that’s supposed to come first when you’re a public servant,” he said.

Cheryl Jones, also of HACC, pointed out the board has previously not notified the State Librarian of vacancies in accordance with the Act’s timeline. Paperwork is to be submitted within 60 days of a vacancy occurring.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is Dec. 12 at 6:30 P.M.