Appointments to the Library Board of Trustees usually don’t draw a lot controversy, however these are usually not regular occasions. Mayor Donna Deegan’s current nomination of Elizabeth Andersen has drawn out a concerted effort by numerous far proper activists, politicians and teams to thwart the appointment. The hassle contains all the things from private assaults to false allegations to outright slander.
The assaults stem from Andersen’s time within the Duval County College Board, an formally nonpartisan establishment that has been more and more dominated by far proper pursuits similar to Mothers for Liberty. Andersen, a former College Board member and chair, drew the ire of those activists over disagreements on tradition battle points, and now, they’ve launched a marketing campaign to defame and belittle her in an effort to strain Republican members of Metropolis Council to not affirm her appointment on the library board.
That is the form of gutter politics most Jaxsons are sick and bored with. Jacksonville is a various, purple metropolis, and a range of opinion and expertise is one thing most of us need advising our library system. To chop by this manufactured noise, it’s price taking a look at Andersen’s many {qualifications}. As famous in a current assertion of assist by group members:
- Instructional and Skilled Background: Ms. Andersen holds a Grasp of Science in Psychological Well being Counseling from the College of North Florida. She is a licensed psychological well being counselor and a former educator in Duval County Public Faculties. She has devoted her profession to supporting youngsters and households by each schooling and psychological well being companies.
- Management Expertise: As a former Chair of the Duval County College Board, Ms. Andersen championed initiatives targeted on pupil security, psychological well being, and educational achievement.
- Group Engagement: Presently serving as CEO of OneJax—a nonprofit group devoted to selling respect and understanding amongst folks of various religions, cultures, and identities. Her management at OneJax underscores her dedication to fostering a extra inclusive and compassionate Jacksonville.
Clearly Andersen is properly certified to function appointed on the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees, and he or she needs to be lauded for providing to present of her time as a volunteer in that capability. To indicate assist, add your identify to the assertion of assist and submit, name and electronic mail the Jacksonville Metropolis Council, or attend the Guidelines Committee assembly Monday, Could 19 at 2 pm and converse out.
Editorial by Kelsi Hasden.