Randolph County Commission District 3 Race Highlights Library Board Controversy
As the race for the Randolph County Commission District 3 seat heats up, two Republican candidates are drawing attention for their differing views on a pivotal local issue: the dissolution of the library board.
In December, the county commissioners made a controversial decision to dissolve the public library board of trustees. This action followed the board’s decision to retain a book about a transgender boy in the children’s section of the library.
Incumbent David Allen, one of the two commissioners who opposed the board’s dismissal, emphasized the significance of preserving the board’s institutional knowledge. He argued that removing the board could establish a negative precedent. Allen has been serving the District 3 constituency since 2014.
Challenging Allen is Republican Carrie Slatosky, a current soil and water district supervisor for Randolph County. On her campaign platforms, Slatosky has expressed support for the commission’s decision to dissolve the library board. She clarifies that while she opposes governmental book bans, she believes the contentious book should have been relocated within the library.
Slatosky has also addressed allegations from her past that have re-emerged online. Court records from Iredell County indicate that she faced a simple assault charge in 2011, which was dismissed after a month. Slatosky claims she was a domestic violence victim, resulting in both her and her abuser being arrested during that episode.
Additionally, Slatosky was charged with food nutrition fraud in 2013, a charge that was subsequently dismissed after she paid over $4,000 in restitution. She insists in a statement to WFDD that she has never committed nor been convicted of a crime.
