June 23, 2009
LIBRARIAN BLALACK'S DEPARTURE & 35 YEARS OF SERVICE EARNS KEY TO CITY
Yelm Librarian Kristin Blalack announced to the Yelm City Council tonight that she was leaving her post, after 35 years of service (beginning in 1974) as librarian in the Yelm Schools and Yelm's Timberland Regional Library.
Ms. Blalack said she will continue to serve on the Yelm Tree Advisory Board & work with Friends of the Library.
Kristin told the Mayor & City Council,
"I have enjoyed working with the city & seeing changes in the city.
I appreciate working with you guys here and loved interacting with the council for 19 years as Yelm's librarian."
Mayor Harding presented Kristin with an official certificate of appreciation for her years of service and a key to the city saying, "this is awarded to people who go above and beyond."
Ms. Blalack told the Council she began her service in Yelm as a temporary librarian in the summer of 1974 and she met her future husband at the former, small city library in the corner of City Hall.
Ms. Blalack's departure comes at a crossroads for the Yelm Timberland library. Mayor Harding had previously announced that there was no money for a new public facility, and with the 10 year exemption given by Timberland to Yelm to lease a facility in a private building due to expire in July, 2012, Mayor Harding has said the library will move into much smaller digs back in City Hall with curtailed offerings. That is VERY unfortunate since Yelm is THE single library in the whole 19 library Timberland system with the largest youth usage.
Losing this is sad, as Mayor Harding has said he is running for 4 more years to complete his goal of a youth center here. Passing up the value of a full-service, vibrant Yelm Library for our youth lacks vision and foresight.
Other introductions announced by Mayor Harding tonight:
1. Sue Davis is the new Yelm Finance Director, coming here from Orting and said, "Every fundamental - I should know everything."
2. The two new City Council candidates for Pat Fetterly's open Council seat were introduced by Mayor Harding in-audience:
Jennifer Littlefield
Tracey Wood
3. Mayor Harding announced he is the Grand Marshall in the Prairie Days Parade this year and will be in his own car with the council walking behind.
THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG WISHES KRISTIN BLALACK WELL IN HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
I HAVE FOUND WORKING WITH KRISTIN AS A FORMER LIBRARY BOARD MEMBER, LIBRARY PATRON AND BENEFACTOR TO BE MY SINCERE PLEASURE!
Who cares if Harding will be in his own car (did he purchase a new one to show it off??) This isn't even newsworthy.
Thanks for this report. At 73 years, I can say I would not want to be the new Finance Director for Yelm, especially if young and pretty. As to the Library, I have appreciated Kristen Blalock. I'm not sure about regional goverment. What I have seen, whether police, fire or library, local people lack input. I have to say it, why is Council walking behind? What if it is a hot day?
I too would like to wish Kristen the best of luck! She was always very friendly and helpful during the 16 years I frequented Yelm's wonderful library.
The hotter the better.
Harding in his own car in the parade with the council walking behind him is the obvious public face.
What is the unobvious?