THOMASVILLE- Tuesday morning the Thomas County Board of Commissioners voted to appoint Carla Defnall to the Library Board, replacing Board Chair Erin Rehberg, who was set to serve a second term. The appointment, which Thomas County Public Library Director, Holly Phillips called worrisome, was a split decision among commissioners, who voted 4-3 in favor of Defnall. 

Commissioner Chairman Mark NeSmith called for an appointment to the Board. 

District 1 Commissioner, Rev. Jeremy Rich then nominated Rehberg for a second term to the Board. 

Out of the four applicants received, Rich pointed out Rehberg was the only applicant who had Library Board experience and is a professional librarian. 

Rehberg currently is the Vice Principal at Thomas County Central and has served as a librarian in some capacity previously. 

Following Rich’s nomination, District 5 Commissioner Donnie Baggett seconded the motion to approve Rehberg for a second term. 

However, when it came time to approve the motion, only Rich, Baggett and District 7 Commissioner Phillip Brown were in favor, with NeSmith, District 3 Commissioner Kenneth Hickey, Vice Chair Wiley Grady and District 8 Commissioner Zippy Vonier opposing. 

“Mrs. Erin will not be appointed to that Board,” NeSmith said, before asking for another nomination. 

Hickey then nominated Defnall, who has made headlines recently for pointing out books that may be inappropriate for children of certain ages. 

Vonier seconded the motion, with Defnall being appointed 4-3. 

NeSmith was quick to point out that the County Commissioners had four very qualified applicants and it was unfortunate they weren’t able to choose them all. 

“We feel Carla will do a great job,” he said. “She did a lot of work bringing the community’s attention to what books were in the library and how some of the material may not be suitable for children. I think she will be a good seat at that Board, giving attention to what is going on inside the library.” 

Phillips was disappointed in the Commissioner’s decision to not let Rehberg carry out her second term. 

“She was a very knowledgeable Board chair, who had served on the Board for three years,” Phillips said. 

Phillips admitted that this decision felt as if the County Commissioners were trying to push an agenda, instead of fill a vacant seat. 

Phillips said earlier this year, she and Rehberg were asked to attend a Personnel Committee meeting with the County Commissioners, where they were asked to explain their policies and procedures in regard to book challenges. 

Phillips said at the time it seemed like a lack of understanding. However, she explained the policies and procedures must be followed, regardless of who the individual is challenging the material. 

Looking back, she believes during that meeting is when the County Commissioners began to closely consider Defnall as a new appointee over Rehberg. 

Phillips has no ill will toward Defnall and has accepted the result. The two worked together during their first Work Session, held on Wednesday, where Adrian Burns was named the new Library Board Chair and Lisa Williams was named the new Vice-Chair. 

Phillips concluded by saying she intends to work with her new board of 13 to provide the best possible collection and experience to those in Thomas County.