Carol Stream Library searching for new trustee

A philosophical split on the Carol Stream Library Board could make it challenging to find a replacement for longtime member Rob Douglas.

Douglas, who spent 26 years on the board and most recently served as its president, was appointed last month as an associate judge in DuPage County circuit court. As such, he had to step down from his elected library board position before officially taking the bench this week.

Library Director Ann Kennedy is now accepting resumes and letters of intent from interested candidates who want to serve the remaining time on Douglas’ unexpired term, which runs through April 2013.

The six remaining board members will interview applicants as early as March 28 and could vote to appoint a new trustee at that time.

Three trustees — Mike Wade, Dave DeRango and Dominick Jeffrey — have previously run for office on the same slate with a platform that opposes what they say are high taxes and improper spending.

During budget discussions last year, Wade proposed his own budget — separate from one suggested by Kennedy — but it failed to get enough support. After DeRango and Jeffrey were elected in April, they joined Wade in trying to rescind previously approved pay increases and three new hires, but they didn’t have the votes.

Kennedy said there haven’t been disagreements or counterproposals during budget discussions this year, and a final vote on a budget is set for the March 28 meeting.

That doesn’t mean there still isn’t contention. On Thursday, the board’s human resources committee was expected to discuss DeRango’s concerns relating to alleged inaccurate time sheets of library staff members.

Kennedy is hopeful the remaining six board members will be able to settle on a choice for new trustee.

“It’s a possibility there could be disagreement on the person to select, but one hopes the trustees could reach a compromise agreement,” she said.

Though DeRango hasn’t heard of anyone who is going to apply for the open position, he said he’s looking for someone with “a new set of eyes” who can bring new thoughts and ideas to the table.

“I think that’s more of what I’d like to see because you need a change — something to spice it up a little bit,” he said.