Vote for library candidates who care

There is an election on April 7 for trustees of the Warren Newport Library District that includes a stark contrast of candidates.

For the two six-year terms available, there are three candidates. Two of them, Tom Colwell and George Kotsinis, have shown leadership and are concerned about the best interests of the patrons and the library. Colwell has previously served as a trustee and Kotsinis was appointed in 2014 and has been an independent voice of reason.

The third candidate has been on the board for six years and has consistently been disruptive, argumentative, disrespectful and has undermined the goals of the library.

During this person's time on the board, the library's executive director, Stephen Bero, (who was chosen as Illinois Librarian of the Year for 2014) resigned and many trustees have left the board, including two presidents that tried to control this person's behavior during board meetings.

This person constantly came to meetings unprepared and showed no knowledge of basic library finances, despite being on the Finance Committee for a while. After continuous disruptions of library board meetings the board voted to censure him on April 15, 2013. He has consistently criticized the former director for not asking for $200,000 more in taxes from residents during the last fiscal year.

The only positive thing this candidate has done in six years is to increase the attendance at board meetings by members of the community who have openly voiced their disgust at him and his antics. I urge the voters of the Warren Newport Library District to vote for Tom Colwell, George Kotsinis and Nancy Sheldon, who is running unopposed for a two-year term. The alternative of another six-year term for the other person on the ballot is scary for the community.

Steven Weinberg

Libertyville