LOUISA, Ky. — Having attended less than the required four meetings, James Pauley Barker was ousted by the LC Library Board of Trustees with the blessing of the local fiscal court. Pauley Barker admits missing the meetings but says he was suffering from Covid-19 and missed because of illness.
STATE LIBRARY SPOKESPERSON JILL MIDKIFF RESPONDS TO MESSAGE FROM LAZER EDITOR REQUESTING COMMENT
Mark,
Your inquiry regarding the Lawrence County Public Library was forwarded to me for a response.
This is not the first case of a fiscal court rejecting KDLA submitted nominees. Lawrence County Public Library was established under KRS 173.450 and the process for filling board vacancies can be found here https://kdla.ky.gov/Library-Support/Trustees/Documents/Filling%20Board%20Vacancies.pdf.
On June 13, 2024, KDLA sent two nomination letters to the Lawrence County Judge Executive for the terms of Marc Lester and James Pauley-Barker. Marc Lester was serving in a first term that expired June 30, 2024. James Pauley-Barker was serving in a first term set to expire on June 30, 2027. KDLA received notice from the Lawrence County Judge Executive on June 25, 2024 and June 26, 2024 that they were rejecting the nominees for Marc Lester and James Pauley-Barker, respectively.
According to the library director, James Pauley-Barker missed four regular meetings. Under KRS 173.490(1)(c), missing four or more regular monthly meetings during any one year of the trustee’s term constitutes an automatic resignation.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
Thank you.
PAULEY BARKER RESPONDS TO LAZER STORY ABOUT LIBRARY STALEMATE
I appreciate your patience as I respond to the recent article. During the time of the Library publication, I was honored to serve as a mentor at the 4-H youth camp at J.M. Feltner Memorial 4-H Camp, near London, KY, supporting and guiding young campers from Elliot, Floyd, Martin, and Lawrence counties. Engaging with these youth is not only a personal passion but a vital investment in our community’s future leaders. Participating in programs like 4-H fosters skills such as teamwork, leadership, and resilience among our youth. These experiences are invaluable in shaping confident and capable individuals who will contribute positively to our community and beyond. As a dedicated member of our community, I believe in actively nurturing the potential of our youth, ensuring they have opportunities to thrive and succeed.
I appreciate the opportunity to clarify the situation regarding my tenure on the Lawrence County Public Library Board. While it is true that I missed four meetings during my term, these absences were not consecutive. My last absence was due to illness, as I was battling COVID-19 at the time.
According to the bylaws, I am required to resign after missing four meetings. I reached out via email to Carlie Pelfrey and the Board of Trustees, requesting permission to continue serving my community despite the absences from having COVID – 19. Unfortunately, I did not receive a response. Also, It’s important to note that the board’s bylaws currently do not have provisions for excusing absences due to work or illness.
Throughout my term, I have been dedicated to serving our community, balancing my responsibilities with two jobs alongside my board duties. I value the opportunity I had to contribute to the board and support the library’s mission. Moving forward, I remain committed to finding ways to serve our community effectively.
Also, while there were discussions about my potential candidacy for mayor in the past via the comments, my focus has always been on community service, including my tenure on the Lawrence County Library Board, and the Lawrence County Fair Board. It’s essential that future board appointments reflect the diversity and expertise needed to serve our community effectively. I believe in inclusive representation and bringing diverse perspectives to the table.
Ever since my return from Dallas, Texas, I’ve come to appreciate the intricacies of small-town values. However, in small communities, there’s often a tendency for individuals to belittle each other through divisive small-town politics. However, I passionately believe in a different approach. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, ‘Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.’ Instead of pushing each other down in Lawrence County, we should be lifting each other up, especially for the benefit of the youth in our community.
So, I remain committed to contributing positively to our community despite any differences in opinion. I value constructive dialogue and look forward to continuing to serve our community in meaningful ways.
Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support for the Lawrence County Public Library.
Sincerely,
James Allen Pauley-Barker
