ST. PAUL – A resident group says it is seeking more transparency from the St. Paul Municipal Library board. A delegation between the group and County of St. Paul council took place at the Jan. 27 County Public Works meeting.
Around 40 members of the public were present during the delegation. Residents Wayne and Wendy Krekoski spoke on behalf of the group.
Wayne said the group has concerns about programming at the library, stemming from the library board’s decision to allow a drag queen at the publicly funded venue. The event was hosted by Pride St. Paul and was called Royal Story Time with Lush Panhick.
“Our group simply does not want an adult entertainer performing for children at a public venue that is publicly funded by the County ratepayers,” he said, adding, the group feels their opinion is not being heard.
The delegation called for increased scrutiny and better communication between the library board and the public.
“Going forward, we feel that more scrutiny and accountability must be implemented and be the standard for our boards. Feedback loops to address major issues should be available to the ratepayers, enabling the ratepayers to make their needs and wishes understood,” said Wayne.
In a follow-up interview with County of St. Paul Reeve Glen Ockerman, he said council reassured the group that the County will look at the concerns presented, including going over the mandates of the boards where council representatives are involved.
“We thought maybe we’ll look at all our boards, what their mandates or what their purposes are, and how decisions are being made,” said Ockerman. “But we can’t go off on our own.”
“A lot of boards, they’re multi-municipality,” Ockerman added, explaining, many boards have representatives from other municipalities, not just the County of St. Paul.
Asked by Lakeland This Week if he was satisfied with council’s response during the council meeting, Wayne said, “I think that the County council basically said, ‘Yeah, we're hearing you loud and clear’.”
Wayne said the group of residents is not opposed to Pride St. Paul, nor are they opposed to Pride St. Paul’s mission, which involves bringing awareness and promoting safe spaces to members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
He believes humanity will always have differences, akin to how different people have different interests or lifestyles.
“That’s called humanity,” he says.
Many parents in the group recognize there is diversity in society, including how people live their lives differently, added Wayne. But, the parents in the group feel they should have the option to introduce these topics at a pace they feel is appropriate for their family or children.
“It may take time to fully realize another’s point of view, but the parents want to have that option of how fast it's introduced and when it's introduced,” said Wayne. “That's about it.”
Going back to the group’s presentation to council, Wayne stated the group was looking for “A more open process in terms of what events happen and for who . . . especially if it’s publicly funded in a public space.”
He added, “This was just to say, ‘Look, there is a way to go forward,’ and there is a way to make it so that it isn't divisive, and that people don't start losing arrows that cannot be recalled.”
