Graham Wants To Micromanage Library Board
Recently, the public got a glimpse into the unprofessional and political wrangling of Library Board chairman and recalled councilman Kelly Graham. It shouldn’t take a Nobel Prize winner in physics to understand that Mr. Graham’s e-mails clearly indicate his desire to micromanage the library. It also seems obvious that he proceeded to assume what can only be described as a dictatorial style of leadership. The result is an embarrassment to the city, just like in 2004.
As a real estate salesman and former politician with a controversial history, I would opine that Mr. Graham is no more qualified to chair our Library Board then he is qualified to chair the Federal Reserve. Those of us who have had the experience of working with organizational boards understand how egregious Mr. Graham has been in overstepping his authority. We also know how organizational strife seems to have a strange way of following certain personalities around. We saw it six years ago in Bristol, Tenn., and now we see it again on the Library Board. Do you see the common denominator yet?
Mr. Graham has shown himself to be incompetent when it comes to organizational ability, as well as the fact that his actions present liabilities to both cities regarding human resource issues. More important though, is his re-emergence into city business. It stinks of “good old boy” politics. The citizens of Bristol, Tenn., in 2004, decided they didn’t want Mr. Graham representing them. That is a fact. Therefore, his resignation needs to be forthcoming immediately or the council needs to dissolve the current board and appoint a new one. The current board, under Mr. Graham’s direction, is in no way effective in being able to enhance a positive working environment. I would also submit that any council member who supported the inane appointment of Mr. Graham is guilty of cronyism.
Andy Joyner
Bristol, Va.
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Reader Reactions
I can’t believe that Kelly Graham is the chair of the library board. From the story in the BHC it certainly sounds as though he has walked right in and assumed a Mussolini posture and then of course tells the director that it is his job to run the library (but run it the way Kelly Graham says to run it.)
One would think that the people in Bristol would be asking questions of their councilmen about this, but I’ll guarantee that nobody cares. That is why there is a small group of people who essentially do whatever they like in this town. When the citizenry doesn’t care, then the end result is that all these council members and various board members of all these boards, simply make decisions and policy for their own self benefit. There is no accountability so why not?
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