At the Yancey County Commissioners’ meeting on Monday evening, August 14th, the Commissioners appointed three more people to the local library board. One of the positions went to Commissioner Stacey McEntyre. She will fill the position on the library board representing the Yancey commissioners. This is in line with both Mitchell and Avery counties who have one seat on each of their local library boards filled by a commissioner. The Yancey County local library board requested that Jody Higgins and Jeannette Maddox be appointed to the other two open positions. The commissioners did not choose the requested people but instead appointed former NC House of Representative Michelle Presnell and Christy Edwards, former Mountain Heritage High School art teacher and local business owner.
There has been recent controversy with some people concerned about children being exposed to LGBTQ books, particularly because of a LGBTQ Pride display at the Yancey library during the month of June. Others are concerned that the library be a place where all people feel welcome.
Chairman Jeff Whitson has stated that the commissioners are trying to ensure there is no bias shown to any religious, political or ethnic platform.
