Central Rappahannock Regional Library

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Stafford Board of Supervisors Censures Monica Gary Amid Controversy Over Library Board Removal

By Uriah Kiser

Stafford County Supervisor Monica Gary, who represents the Aquia District, was formally censured by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, for her role in the removal of Mary Becelia from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library Board of Trustees. The board accused Gary of providing misleading information that led to the unjust ousting of Becelia and violating the board’s Code of Performance. As part of her punishment, Gary was removed from all board assignments and committee appointments.

The censure resolution, passed by a 5-0 vote with one abstention, stated that Gary’s actions were “political in nature” and aimed at securing support from the Stafford Democratic Committee for her 2025 re-election bid. Gary, a one-term supervisor who ran without political affiliation, has announced her intention to seek another term representing the Aquia District.

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News

Updated: Stafford Supervisors Special Meeting Canceled Amid Controversy; CRRL Announces New Trustee

By Uriah Kiser

A special Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting, initially scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024, has been canceled. Stafford County spokesman Andrew Spence stated that the cancellation was due to a procedural issue with the meeting notice.

“Chairman [Meg] Bohmke canceled the meeting originally scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024, due to a procedural issue with the meeting notice. At this time, there is no information about it being rescheduled,” Spence said.

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News

Stafford Supervisors to Hold Special Meeting Amid Library Board Controversy

By Uriah Kiser
Gary

The Stafford Board of County Supervisors will hold a special meeting at 4 p.m. (not 3 p.m.) on Friday, December 6, 2024. The meeting will occur at the government center at 1300 Courthouse Road, just hours before the board participates in the county’s Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.

The meeting follows a statement issued by Aquia District Supervisor Monica Gary on Facebook. Gary apologized for her role in Mary Becelia’s removal from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) Board of Trustees earlier this year.

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News

Central Rappahannock Regional Library Holds Annual Rappahannock Writers’ Conference

By Aya Karouane

The Central Rappahannock Regional Library will hold the eighth annual Rappahannock Writers’ Conference on November 9, featuring keynote speeches from Laura Di Franco and John Gilstrap. The conference is open to adults and teens at all writing levels, with classes covering various writing topics.

Press Release:

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Fredericksburg

Library Director Rebecca Purdy to Host Community Meet-and-Greets

By Uriah Kiser

Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) invites the public to attend Community Meet-and-Greet events with newly appointed Executive Director Rebecca Purdy. As she steps into her new role, Purdy is eager to hear feedback from the community and answer questions about how the library system can continue to serve the region effectively.

Purdy, a longtime CRRL staff member, brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for the library system. During her recent interview with Potomac Local News, she shared insights into her vision for the library’s future, highlighting plans to build on successful programs like the “Library on the Go” initiative and expand access to innovative technologies, such as 3D printers and other maker lab resources.

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Originals

Stafford County Board of Supervisors Seeks More Financial Data from Rappahannock Regional Library

By Uriah Kiser
Central Rappahannock Regional Library Porter Branch sits at 2001 Parkway Boulevard in North Stafford.

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors requests additional financial transparency from the Rappahannock Regional Library system.

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Fredericksburg

Library Board of Trustees Elects Chair and Vice Chair, Appoints Executive Director

By Aya Karouane
Rebecca Purdy was appointed Executive Director of the Central Rappahanock Regional Library System [Photo: CRRL]

Press Release:

Central Rappahannock Regional Library’s Board of Trustees held elections at their September 9 quarterly meeting and elected David Ross as Chair and Christy Maupin as Vice Chair.

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Fredericksburg

CRRL Director Martha Hutzel to Retire After Nearly 40 Years of Service

By Kelly Sienkowski

After almost forty years, Library Director Martha Hutzel will retire from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) on Sept. 30. Hutzel was appointed director in 2016 after several prior positions at different library branches, including branch manager and head of circulation.

Hutzel said she was inspired to become a librarian “by [her] mother, who is still living at 102, and by [her] father, both of whom loved books and reading and set that example for their 13 children.” After completing chores on the dairy farm she grew up on, she and her siblings were allowed to read whatever they wanted. In the 1980s, Hutzel moved to Fredericksburg and immediately got a library card and part-time job at the Fredericksburg location. She said the staff “welcomed me with open arms and I fell into them.”

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