As a full-time resident of Seaside, my concerns continue to grow regarding Councilman Steve Dillard’s attempts to set up a system which censors materials in our library. He supports severing ties from the American Library Association, referring to this step as part of “small changes”!

He has made defamatory remarks repeatedly about the actions of our library staff. He has accused them of having “marketed” to teens, and from his government-elected position in a council meeting stated, ” … our library is putting sexually explicit material in the hands of minors.” These are actual, findable quotes.

He has accused locals challenging him of being “zealots,” stating we are speaking a “symphony of lies,” and that we are “orchestrated by a special interest group from out of town.” Speaking of a symphony of lies! We are all local residents, a grassroots movement of caring and concerned citizens.

Dillard has cited two books with sexually explicit content, both are from the adult section of our public library! Dillard would have you believe he wants to restrict access to such books to “protect children.”

I have spent a lifetime professionally “protecting children” from abuse. A library is not the problem! Dillard’s attempts to form a special committee to restrict and censor reading materials is a smoke screen for a frightening movement occurring nationwide!

Government officials restricting access to books with ideas or viewpoints disagreed with violates library patrons’ First Amendment rights!

Citizens have concerns beyond this issue! Vote “yes” to recall Dillard!

PAMELA SCHWENZER

Seaside