Women excluded from board appointments

RED OAK — A state mandate requiring gender equity made Red Oak City Council’s decision for the public library board a much easier one.

While seven individuals submitted applications for Norma Wilson’s seat on the board, five were eliminated because they were women, as the board needs more men to balance its gender totals.

As a result, John Blomstedt was selected to replace Wilson.

Amy VanDyke also recently resigned. However, with the remaining 8 board members split with four men and four women, anyone could be appointed to fill that position.

Council member Larry Brandstetter wanted the women who applied to know the decision was not based on qualifications or merit.

“We are going to pass this recommendation because of the gender issue; we have to, I fully understand that,” Brandstetter said. “But there are some very, very good women that are in this hopper that I want to commend for putting their name in. Hopefully at some point and time, we will get to appoint them as well.”

Librarian Kathi Wagner also offered an explanation for the recent rush of resignations.

“Its not anything terrible or exciting going on down there. We just have the renovation project done, and they want to go on and have a life,” Wagner said.