WHY is an Oakland Co. precinct delegate working so hard to ban books in our community?
The 220 book challenger at Cromaine library introduced herself at last night’s board meeting as Marita Branch of Commerce. She is an Oakland County precinct delegate (p3) https://www.oakgov.com/.../showp.../24047/638732365339530000
During a board meeting Bill Bolin admitted that Marita Branch is also a member of his congregation at Floodgate Church that he meets with privately.
So WHY is this outsider pushing her political and religious beliefs here in our community? To follow is an excerpt written by Cromaine's Director
“The patron challenging these books explained to me that her main goal is to protect children from the subject matter of these particular books which she broadly defined as containing viewpoints that, in her opinion, will “will lead children to confusion about gender”.
I explained to her that per library policy only a parent may restrict what their own child may read and that public bodies may not restrict access to books based on the book’s viewpoint. She indicated that her personal views about gender should take precedence over the rights of other parents and children in the community.” <- The community that she lives 30 minutes away from!
On the form the challenger submitted to request the books be removed for the question “What brought these resources to your (the Director’s) attention?” the response was - “patron concern for children”
For the question What concerns you about the resource? Response: “sexualization/exploitation of children”
What actions are you requesting from the library? Response: REMOVAL (Hey, Floodgate, Bill Bolin and Jeannine Gogoleski stop lying and insisting there has been no attempts to ban books. There is *plenty of documentation to prove otherwise!)
Source: P27 of June's board packet: https://www.cromaine.org/.../BoardPacketSpecialMeeting6.3...
The theme of the books in the challenge are unquestionably LGBTQ+ as seen on page 31 of above board packet.
Additionally, at the August board meeting Marita Branch drove 30 miles one way to tell the board that she wants the form that allows parents to opt out from “allowing their kids access to LGBTQ material” she referenced the recent Supreme Court case, Mahmoud v. Taylor. It is clear what her agenda is for our community.
“This ruling may impact local library policies, as schools and libraries often share a community and may be subject to similar pressures. “ This is what they plan to test in Hartland. Source: https://www.npr.org/.../nx-s1-5430355/scotus-opt-out-schools
More info on the 220 book challenger:
“Michigan resident Marita Branch attended the rally wearing a “TRUMP WON” hat, which is a reference to the disproven claims that he was the rightful winner of the 2020 election.
Branch said she believes in the importance of unity and Christian values, and hopes Michigan residents participate in the upcoming election to advance the values they care about. “I am an Oakland County precinct delegate, and I want people to get out and vote,” Branch said. “I really want to go back to what our country was founded on, our Christian values. That’s what I’m here for. We’re one nation under God.” Source: https://www.michigandaily.com/.../trump-visits-novi-in.../
Listed under MOTIVATION FOR THE BOOK CHALLENGE it is written that at February’s meeting Bill Bolin shared language crafted by LivCo sheriff Mike Murphy & LivCo prosecuting attorney “The library board has deemed this publication to contain possible sexually explicit material. Allowing access of a minor to this book is contrary to MCL 722.674/5 and may subject you to criminal prosecution.” Bolin continues in these minutes stating that “a list of books that could be recommended for labeling is being compiled with at least 80 titles to be presented to the librarian.”