Among the bizarre public comments spoken, during the 9/7 Bear Creek Township meeting regarding the Petoskey District Library, was the one offered by Jacob Myers, a self-described professional public planner and community consultant. Myers likened the Board of Trustees to Pharisees.
“I’m reminded quite a bit … how the prophet Jesus felt when He was confronted by the Pharisees and also some of their prejudices and hatred and ignorance,” said Myers into the microphone he had covered with a mask. “You continue to iterate how you would like to dismantle the public trust and our public resources.”
You may recall that the Pharisees were a legalistic, male religious sect whose members often clashed with Jesus’ teaching.
Myers was not satisfied insulting public officials by likening them to unpopular religious leaders. He also advised them to resign.
“You are not suited to serve the public trust in the way that you should,” he stated.
Myers added, “It is very dangerous rhetoric to continue discussing dismantling our public funds and public resources.”
You can listen and watch his remarks here.
Inquiring minds want to know: Why use such incendiary language? Why play the religious card? Why distort what the Board of Trustees have said?
The trustees never invoked the New Testament or faith. They never uttered a word about book banning or censorship. They also clearly stated that defunding the library is not on their ‘to do’ list.
(The Library, btw, receives $200,000 from Bear Creek Township, as well as penal fines.)
They merely asked library personnel, on behalf of the constituents who duly elected them and whom they represent, to stop promoting an unbalanced, progressive agenda with tax dollars.
It’s that simple.
Imagine if the library were encouraging, oh, say, right-to-life marches, Let’s Go Brandon coloring books for kids, or “staff picks” of books that push back on climate change or question gender confirmation surgery without offering an alternative point of view.
Imagine if the library then insulted those residents who expressed concern over the biased programming.
Would Jacob Myers then be as enthusiastic, as he says he is, about the library as a “very valuable” and “very important” public institution?
We think you know the answer to that question.