Pahrump Community Library District
Doris Shirkey, Founder
701 East Street, Pahrump, NV 89048
Board of Trustees Regular Meeting January 13, 2020

Meeting called to order at 10:04am. The Pledge of Allegiance was said.  Present were Carlton McCaslin, John Pawlak, Joy Marshall, and Susan Wonderly.  Guests present were Amy Bruno, Alysha Wogee, Shanna Gibbons, Mandy Cafeo, Tammy Westergard and 40+ members of the public (those who chose to speak are listed on the attached sign-in sheet). 

Public Comment: Carlton opened the meeting by calling for Public Comment. Speakers were given 3 minutes each, in compliance with Library’s Public Comment Policy. Each are listed, with highlights of their comments, in the order in which they spoke.

John Pawlak: Notified everyone of a VEA DOE Waste Classification System for the Test Site. It will be a public meeting on Wednesday Jan. 15 @ 4:00pm. This will include the DOE Advisory Board.

Karen Williams: Said she doesn’t know why we are trying to ban guns in the Library. She says we put it in the agenda and take it out, but she will be here at every meeting. She says it is her constitutional right and there will be consequences.

Donna Cox: (speaking out of order) She stated that our website says that everyone has 5 minutes to speak, and that we were not following our own policy.

Increase Zimmerman: He is 8 years old. He says he needs to protect his sister, and is not old enough to carry a gun, but his family can.

Jennifer Zimmerman: Stated she is opposed to the gun “ban”. Parents need to educate children “No Touch”. Says that “Firearms training changed her life” and that she used to be scared of guns until she had training. She can sympathize with victims of gun violence, she was abused. Says “People are bad, not guns” She offered to teach a gun safety class and says she donated gun safety books.

Savannah Zimmerman: Says she is opposed of the “ban”. “She is a law-abiding citizen” and is here to protect us. States Susan is discriminating against her and won’t look or speak to her. Says none of the other Librarians treat her that way, and the other mothers don’t object to her being there.

Chris (William) Zimmerman: After a brief Bio, he stated that criminals target “soft zones”. The Texas church shooting, there were heroes. It was good guys against a bad guy with a gun and 242 lives were saved that day. He states that the Story room and the whole Library are vulnerable and to please pull it off the future agenda.

Kathi Smith: New to Pahrump. “If I don’t know you, I don’t know your intention”. Says she can’t tell the difference good and bad guys when she sees people out in public with guns.

Nigel Innis: After a brief Bio about himself, he says ”I hear the points of the last speaker” and says that your feelings and concerns shouldn’t outweigh majority of citizens. He referred to the Texas church shooting and the heroes. He related an incident from North Las Vegas, Deacons for Defense, and his father marching with MLK. Says lives are saved by good people with guns. He also mentioned the “Eddie Eagle Program”. 

Joe Burozinski: He stated he is a member of the Republican Party. He pointed out that four out of five County Commissioners are here to oppose the “ban”. Our country’s freedoms uphold the 2nd amendment. Stated he did not want a kid to get hurt at the Library. He referred to Jews and Gypsies and that they couldn’t defend themselves.

Rich Bushart: Says how long after we “ban” the Story room, will we “ban” the whole Library and parking lot, and when will we get metal detectors. Posting a Puny sign won’t stop anyone. Stated we are a 2nd  Amendment Sanctuary. Quoted George Washington.

Bernie Cusimano: Brief Bio. Stated he took an oath to protect and defend and it doesn’t stop after he was honorably discharged from the military. Quoted Ben Franklin.

Frank Carbone: He said we need to teach children and children aren’t always scared. He had toys that looked like guns when he was a kid. Says he took an oath to protect and that includes the state. He asked how we were going to stop sexual predators at the Library.

David Heibert: Gave Bio. Stated the 2nd Amendment is part of the Constitution and where did a Library Board become able to override it.

Brian Shoemake: Gave Bio. He recognized elected officials present or ones currently running. Referred the Texas church shooting and talked about “soft kill zones”. He referred to a story about how a woman watched her parents get shot in a restaurant because she was forced to leave her gun in the car and couldn’t defend them. Stated we will be a “soft kill zone” with those signs.

Leo Blundo: Stated “98% of mass shootings happen where guns are banned”. Says children are in danger in gun free zones. He made comments about how the meeting was being run and improvements needed. Says we should stop pulling the item from the agenda, vote and get it over with.

Dwight Lilly: Stated the County is appointed and why don’t we know how they feel. Says “You people” should put up a display of the Constitution and learn about it. Says it’s absurd and to handle the agenda now.

Debra Strickland: She held a sign referencing the 2nd Amendment. States we have the right to bear arms, protect those who are fearful, we are here to represent. Please vote.

Donna Cox: Stated we “Defend against foreign and domestic terrorists”. Says concealed carriers are the ones we have to worry about and that she never feels safe without a gun. She says we are targets without guns and people with guns are not. She said she was not speaking as a Commissioner, but as the President of the Concerned Citizens Group. She asked the board to vote and then said “As a County Commissioner I probably voted for every one of you on the Board, and that won’t happen again…(people clapping, recording hard to hear) if they don’t remove you ahead of time”. Related a personal story about a gang in Las Vegas. She says we are wasting tax-payers time and money and to vote. 

Gene Fisher: Gave Bio. Says he has been sworn in to protect eight times. He says the board has on their “Poker Faces” and that they should just vote. States that the Board Members should be liable if someone comes in and shoots.

Denise Zamora: She thanked the members that have served. She attended counter-protest in Las Vegas regarding Drag Queens reading to children. States she is standing up for our Veterans. She is a mother of 3 and wants to protect them and us. She says she will be back and to make a decision.

Adoption of Agenda/Consent of agenda: Carlton asked that 2 items be removed from the agenda: Insurance and General Rules of Conduct. John then made a motion to accept the agenda with these changes; Joy seconded and the motion carried. 

Acceptance of minutes of 12/09/19 meeting: John made a motion to accept the minutes of the previous meeting as written; Joy seconded and the motion carried. 

Treasurer’s Report: (attached) Susan noted that the current report is attached. She said there was no further information because she has not received County reports. Joy made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report; John seconded and the motion carried.

Public Comment (out of order): Mr. Shoemake objected to agenda item removal and Carlton asked John Koenig to explain the Open Meeting Law. Mr. Koenig explained why it would have been a violation and the meeting continued.

Tammy Westergard: She discussed LSTA.

Tammy Westergard: She discussed Trustee training and resources available. She gave the Board handouts “State Council on Libraries and Literacy” and “Impact of Nevada Libraries”.

Insurance: Removed from the agenda.

Audit: Susan said the County hasn’t closed FY2019, so it’s not available. We need it start the budget.

Copy Machine: Amy let the Board know that the wrong info on the copy machine was sent and she is asking for a correct price quote.

General Rule of Conduct Policy: Removed for the agenda.

Calendar update: The next regular meeting will be held February 10, @ 10:00am.  This meeting will be held in the large Library meeting room to accommodate the potential number of concerned citizens who may attend.

Librarian’s Report: (attached). 
Stats attached. 
Vouchers signed.

Public comment: Kathi Smith wanted to know the process the Board plans to use to resolve the issue. Carlton stated we are waiting to hear from a few more people regarding the issue.

John made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Joy seconded, and the motion carried.  Meeting adjourned at 11:59am.

ARCHIVED MINUTES