I'm a free speech Republican--always have been. I say what I think and I stand by what I say. Read this blog and you'll know that.
With this as the backdrop--I was contacted by a constituent yesterday who was distressed about some policy issues regarding the library in Bellview, District 1. (and other branches)
So I called her and listened to her issue about several books that were/are ABSOLUTELY age-inappropriate being in the young adult section of the library. She told me Commissioner Kohler would not return her calls.
These books had pictures, discussed masturbation, sex, and also said that regardless of what some religions might preach on the topic of masturbation----that masturbation is not a sin and is normal.
Look, I'm not a prude, I don't believe in book burning, and I am a fairly open-minded individual.
BUT EVERYTHING has to be age appropriate and the job of discussing these sensitive topics like masturbation and how it is juxtaposed with religious beliefs--- to children------ belongs to the family and the parents---not liberal, woke rubbish masquerading as "children's" books in the children's section.
If a family wants to buy those sorts of books, they can. This is America.
But I don't want to see this garbage in the kid's section of our public library. Period!
So, I immediately contacted Todd Humble and he sorted out the problem instantaneously. Kudos to him.
Then I was forwarded this email from a group of constituents that were very pleased with the responsiveness of Todd and his team at the Libraries. Here is the email:
Finally! I have put in three calls now to Mike Kohler , and 1 to each of the other county commissioners. The only one who returned my call today was Jeff Bergosh. He told me that he would immediately contact the head of the Escambia County Public Libraries, Todd Humble, and have him call me. About 30 minutes later, that is exactly what happened. This guy is the real deal. They are removing several books that somehow , he said, trickled through. He has also called all his librarians (One is also no longer employed, btw.) and told them they had to start going through the books, especially in the Early Reader and Juvenile Section. Several of the ones that I shared with him (several parents had too) are going to be shredded. Others will be moved to the appropriate sections. I was so pleased with this conversation. I sent him links to the books that we have found in our public school libraries, in case he wanted to cross-reference. I also told him he has helped to avoid a major media situation.This is the way things should be handled. Jeff Bergosh earned a lot of brownie points with me today, and so did this Library Director!God is good.XXXXXXX"
