Wannabe book banner Jason Rapert has a knack for making enemies.
One of two Sarah Sanders appointees to the Arkansas State Library Board, Rapert now appears to be at odds with Sanders’ other appointee, Shari Bales.
During a Policy and Bylaws Committee meeting Friday, Bales proposed that all items presented at board meetings be submitted 10 business days before regular meetings.
The proposal came after Rapert unexpectedly asked the board in February to suspend state funds to any library suing the state or Arkansas taxpayers. His motion died for lack of a second.
“My goal … is to make sure that our meetings … don’t venture off into things that don’t concern us,” Bales said.
“I don’t want someone to spring something up,” Bales said. “I’m just saying, give us a heads-up. I don’t like being caught off guard. … It’s disrespectful, and it’s irresponsible.”
Rapert, who’s not on the committee, was not allowed to talk during Friday’s committee meeting but sent in two online comments, one stating, “You cannot limit board members from offering new business. Why is this being suggested?”
In response, Bales said, “I think that it’s inconsiderate to not allow board members to prepare a response to business that is brought to a meeting. … How are you serving anyone by not allowing a thoughtful response to your new business?”
Bales also said Rapert “was tipped off to this” and chose to attend the meeting online, “which was his right.”
Under Bales’ proposal, “Meetings shall adhere to the specific business as set forth by Arkansas State legislation and [be] limited in scope. No other business shall be transacted.” The committee agreed to have its attorney draft the measure before forwarding it to the full board at its May 10 meeting. The board could not vote on the proposal until its August meeting.
The committee also discussed the need to adapt the board’s bylaws to reflect use of the current revision of Roberts Rules of Order rather than a version from the early 1950s.
Rapert also questioned that idea, asking, “Why should we try to alter the normal procedure of meetings which has been adhered to … for generations?”
To that remark, Bales said, “It’s archaic not to get with the times. It’s archaic not to modernize what you’re doing. Good example: Let’s get with the new revised version of Roberts’ Rules. …. because that’s what you do. … You move forward. If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backward.”