Wayne Gunter has served area well

There has been a lot of hub-bub in this town lately with the surprise retirement of long-time director Wayne Gunter from the East Bonner County Library. There have been so many word since spoken of his service and dedication to our library as well as questions as to the timing of his retirement and the reason. A letter was written to the editor of this paper and many comments on the Daily Bee blog about those letters.

I have worked for the library district for a number of years and during that time had several disagreements with Wayne and several of his decisions made me mad. Yet, he always listened to my arguments and I much appreciated that What I always felt is that even though we disagreed on certain issues, the decision he made was always what he thought was the best direction for the library. And on several occasions what I found is, that I was absolutely wrong.

An unnamed trustee on the library board had the audacity to say to me in a laughing way  did I know that Wayne Gunter lived in the house he was born in? That he had lived in Sagle, Idaho, his whole life? Like this makes him some sort of hick or podunk! How many of us who are natives or have lived here for many years have seen others move here because of the beauty of the area or wanting a small town in which to raise their family only to have them want to start changing things around here?

Shame on you, Mr. Trustee — are you “man” enough to resign over those unprofessional comments? These trustees are elected to their positions so it is good for us and them to remember this.

This library, such a jewel in our community and envied by other libraries all over the state of Idaho has such a remarkable collection, top-notch technology and our circulation is higher than many larger city libraries in this state.

I tip my hat to you, Wayne Gunter, for your vision, courage, direction, humor, integrity and dedication. You have served this library and community well.

SUE ELSA

Sandpoint