Robert Selig needs to retire and the rest of the board needs to step up

To the editor,

Bravo to Councilor Bob Hamel for speaking up against the re-appointment of Robert Selig on the library board of trustees. It is long overdue to question Mr. Selig's "performance."

I know whereof I speak. In 1999, after years of dysfunction at Laconia Public Library, I was appointed as a library trustee. There had been a board in place for decades prior, which had no idea what its true function was, and it allowed many questionable employment practices to go on, to the library's detriment. Morale suffered, and the facility itself deteriorated.

After I was appointed, knowing that I had fully researched the true function of what the library trustee's role was, and understood the ongoing personnel problems, four trustees quit in one day. It made headlines, and there was great turmoil for several weeks, but eventually new trustees were appointed/elected by the city council, among them, Robert Selig.

At his first board of trustee meeting, he brought a city attorney, and a presentation of RSA 91-A was made, the state's Right to Know Law. I happen to have been well aware of it; Mr. Selig, obviously, not so much. In fact, Attorney Bates met with Mr. Selig and several other trustees prior to the meeting, to execute their own stealth agenda. That bogus meeting wasn't noticed, nor were there any minutes- blatant violations of RSA-91A!

Usually no members of the public attend library board meetings. At that meeting the library auditorium was packed with people from across the state, including the president of the state Board of Trustees.

Despite allowing personnel matters to be discussed in nonpublic session, and despite being new to the position, Mr. Selig made a motion, and it was supported by his cronies, to publicly terminate a library employee who had ongoingly been trying to resolve her issues with the "library director", Carol Sykes. Mr. Selig had never discussed his resolution with the entire board — myself included — he just blindsided us, with the guidance of the city attorney, and caused what became an expensive lawsuit against the city: all from his first arrogant decision as a library trustee.

Ultimately the city lost the case, and a settlement was reached with that employee.

Mr. Selig also had himself appointed as board "president" that year, and he has been thus, ever since. This is wholly against the principle of what it means to be a trustee, as the state Board of Trustees' own idea is that officerships should be rotated among board members; yet Robert Selig has been the "president" all these years: what does that say about the quality of the rest of the members who are, apparently, content to follow?

I know that in other capacities in his life Mr. Selig is usually the president or chairman of most organizations with which he is affiliated. WHY? Is he not a team player? Does he always have to have his own way? Are others too intimidated to speak up and disagree with him?

After that lawsuit, there was a shakeup in the library, and Carol Sykes herself was removed/or resigned — with a great deal of negative publicity — including her excessive paid absences — which had been a well known secret for many,many years.

Mr. Selig decided to hire an expensive head-hunting firm to find another library director, and this decision was rubber-stamped by the then board. Ultimately, Randy Brough, then the director of Franklin Library was hired, and he's been in place ever since.

Mr. Selig has never understood the definition of being a library trustee; he is not a team player, he does not share information. I remember when he once announced to the board that he had made "an executive decision" to purchase a new furnace, I believe, for the library. There's no such thing as an executive decision! Laconia Library is not Laconia Shoe, and a board member is not an executive! All trustees are peers; none has any more authority than another.

I went on to serve on the state Board of Library Trustees, so I am aware of the principles it represents. I attended their meetings and programs, so I know their values and purpose.

Being a trustee should not be about ego, power or politics.

While Robert Selig has qualities which may be to an organization's advantage — he was the force behind the library's beautiful expansion project — his lack of people skills, and his tactics, are not how trustees should act. He is dominating and forceful — there's no need for it. He needs to retire,and the board should step up and share leadership.

Congratulations to Councilor Hamel for speaking against Robert Selig's re-appointment. It really is time for a change, and it's time for trustees to truly participate on the board, and not just unquestioningly rubber stamp what some self-appointed 'president' dictates.

Finally, a comment on the issue of whether or not the City Council shall elect or appoint library trustees. Apparently the city's legal opinion is to follow the City Charter. The City Charter very clearly states that each March the City Council SHALL elect two trustees. The definition of "elect" is to pick out, to choose or make a decision — the city council has been electing the trustees.

What needs changing is the chairmanship for now, and eventually, the composition of this present board.

Diane Lewis

Laconia