County Council Interviews Five More Library Board Candidates
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson County Council interviewed another round of five candidates for the Anderson County Library Board of Trustees on Monday in an executive session during a special called council meeting in the historic courthouse downtown. All seven council members took part in the interviews.
The latest five are the second of three rounds of five of the 15 finalists being considered for two, newly created at-large board seats for the library system. Council expressed a need for broader representation for the board based on the county’s rapid population growth.
Four women and one man were interviewed on Thursday:
Annie Boyd of Anderson, who earned a Ph.D. in Physical Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina, and is a physical therapist at AmMed Health, would “like to make sure core library resources are available to the larger community and help the library system be as successful as possible.” She said her perspective as a mother who regularly brings her daughter to the library for story time and to check out books gives her a good perspective of the library and its needs. She said she would be respectful of all viewpoints in board-based decisions.
Andrea Draisen, a longtime pediatrician well-known in Anderson, earned an M.D. from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and said she is an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction. Draisen said Anderson County has a “fantastic” library and that she “wants to assist in any way I can to maintain our library.” Draisen is a former board member of the Champion Center for Exceptional Children, and presently serves on the Friends Board of the Anderson County Museum. She is also president of the B’nai Israel Temple in Anderson. She said would “listen to each side of issues carefully and not allow my personal feelings to be involved in decision making” if chosen for the board.
Richard Hardy of Pendleton, earned his B.A. in accounting from Troy University, and is a retired Senior Accountant for Associated Fuel Pump Systems and former owner/operator of Hardy Farms. Hardy cites materials that “do not represent the values of most Anderson County residents” at the Powdersville branch of the library among the reasons he is seeking a board seat. Hardy would like to see “ensure the library director works with the county council instead of independently.” He cites his business experience and community involvement among the reasons he sees himself as a good candidate. He serves as vice-chairman of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Foundation and is a member of the Anderson County Republican Party. In decisions before the board, he said he would “pray for wisdom and guidance” and “vote my convictions.”
Frances Russell of Belton, earned a two-year business degree from Coker College, and is a former library aide at Marshall Primary School. Russell said as an avid reader, she is passionate about the library system and thinks it should be “free for everyone” and that “new ideas should be explored.” She is an active member of the community as a member of the board for the Belton Center for the Arts, the Belton Tennis Association Board, the Belton Cemetery Board, and the local Beautification Committee, and is proud of “working for the common good of the community.” She said 26 years in the school system would help her work for “the good of the library system as a whole” and that she “knows I can be fair.”
Molly Watson of Anderson, earned a B.S. in English Education from Pensacola Christian College, and is a High School teacher at Oakwood Christian School. Watson said she has “always loved reading and believe in the power and importance of books.” As a teacher of English Literature, Watson seeks to pass along the importance of reading. She said she would “allow others to voice their opinions” and make decisions based on “biblical principles” if chosen for the board.
Forty-three applications were received for the two positions, 27 applicants were women and 16 men. The current seven-member library board is made up entirely of women, and consists of one representative chosen by the council person in each district. Board members serve four-year terms, concerned some council members who are elected to two-year terms.