Two weeks after agreeing to expend another $10,000 on defending the draconian Internet filtering policy of the Loudoun County (Va.) Library in federal court, county supervisors declined June 17 to reappoint the library board chair who has championed the controversial nine-month-old policy since its inception.
Although John Nicholas was nominated by supervisor Steven D. Whitener (R-Sugarland Run) for a second term, no other member of the county governing body would second him, the Washington Post reported June 18. The paper cited disgruntlement over Nicholas's candid April 5 interview with Newsday, in which he referred to members of Mainstream Loudoun, the grassroots group that is suing to overturn the library's use of filters, as "the old battle-axes."
The supervisors nominated two other board members who oppose filters, leaving for a subsequent meeting the appointment of two other trustees whose views may well determine whether the library continues its legal battle.
Posted June 22, 1998.