If we want voting representation on Rochester Hills Public Library Board, we must convince our legislators to revise the Michigan State Law titled Act 164 of 1877. Rochester Hills Public Library Board cannot legally allow it under current law even though in 2018 they wanted to.

Note that this “old law”, as some have characterized it, has been amended at least 15 times since 1877, most recently in 2014.

Our Library Board under leadership of former President Michael Tyler (resigned August 2024) has attempted to get this law changed. They first approached our state legislators. Legislators were uninterested to the point they did not respond to several emails, snail mails, and hand delivered messages on this topic. Our Library Board then sought support from our Township Board of Trustees; asking them to approve a resolution supporting the Library Board’s position and forwarding it to legislators.

President Tyler presented the Library Board’s case to our Board of Trustees at their October 23, 2018 meeting. Our Township Board declined to take action. See their minimal minutes below.

 You should view  the 30 minute discussion (1:56 to 2:27) including three public comments on the meeting video at agenda 7/5 at this link: BOT – 10/23/18 – October 23, 2018. I urge you to watch this if you have any interest in this topic.

My terse summary of Board and public comments follows.

Trustee Frank Ferriolo felt is was unnecessary to have a seat on RHPL Board as there were no problems and we have great power as a customer of RHPL. There are other options if we don’t like RHPL in the future such as Lake Orion library. He very strongly objected to the phrase “taxation without representation”.

Trustee Robin Buxar essentially supported Ferriolo

Treasurer Jeanne Langlois said the Library Board is fully authorized to request changes in legislation and saw possible confusion with the proposed arrangement.

Trustee Lana Mangiapane supported President Tyler’s request.

Supervisor Michael Bailey, Clerk Karen Reilly and Trustee John Giannangeli did not comment.

Three citizens who spoke all supported Mr. Tyler’s request

Henry Carels (also Library Board member)

Reg Brown – frequent library user

John Markel – follows the Board closely and comments often