Citizen urges stricter library standards, citing concerns about 'grooming materials'

During the appearance-of-citizens segment on March 16, Nathan Mullins of Oak Ridge addressed the commission to express concerns about materials in county public libraries. Mullins identified himself and said he was speaking on behalf of a group he described as the county's "moral majority" and urged elected officials to set community standards to prevent what he called "grooming materials" from being offered to children.

Mullins referenced a recent local library board meeting and cited a specific title, asking why certain books had been returned to shelves shortly after being removed. He also said his group had worked to replace members of a library board to reflect "the voting interest of the county's Christian parents." The speaker invoked recent federal action and urged citizens to examine library shelves.

The chair reminded the audience that the public-comment portion is for citizens to speak to the commission and that commissioners will not engage or debate during the item. No commission action was taken; commissioners later reiterated rules on civility and decorum for public remarks and directed citizens to committee processes if they wished agenda action.