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Connecticut Trustees Welcome Jesus Art into LibrarySome two weeks after Meriden (Conn.) Public Library Director Marcia Trotta barred three paintings of Jesus from a local artist’s library-gallery display several weeks before its slated December 1 debut, trustees have reversed Trotta’s decision and invited Mary Morley to reschedule her entire 17-image exhibit, which she had cancelled in protest. “Reviewing the facts of the matter in light of constitutional requirements as the board presently understands them, the board has decided to allow Ms. Morley to exhibit all of her submitted paintings, as has been the past practice with other individuals,” said the December 15 trustees’ statement, which concluded, “The board hopes that Ms. Morley accepts that offer in the gracious spirit that we intend to extend it.” “Amen to this,” Morley said in the December 16 Meriden Record-Journal of the trustees’ unanimous endorsement of the statement, which had been preapproved by city attorney Lawrence J. Kendzior. “Every policy has to be applied to a set of facts. Every factual situation is different,” Kendzior told the newspaper. He explained that MPL staff members had been concerned that the library would be perceived as favoring one religious faith by displaying the controversial paintings in the gallery space, which is comprised of a corridor that is the only public entrance to the children’s area. The Record-Journal quoted December 18 from a letter some 25 MPL staff members sent the board in support of Trotta. “Marcia has served this community faithfully, compassionately, and never less than professionally for over 30 years,” it read, declaring that the signers “fully endorse the actions of our director” and “are appalled by the slanted and sensationalized ’news’ coverage presented by both print and electronic media and are amazed by the hatefully crude, insulting, and abusive calls, letters, and comments made to her by concerned citizenry.” Posted December 19, 2003. |
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