HomeMy Public PortalAbout2021.10.12 Terry Edvalson - Letter of Interest RECEIVED
October 8, 2021 OCT 12 2021
Bessie Jo Wagner, City Clerk
City of McCall, Idaho
216 East Park Street
McCall, Idaho 83638.
Dear Ms. Wagner:
I read in the 7 October Star News there is a need to fill a position on the McCall
Public Library Board of Trustees. I am applying to fill the vacancy, providing my
serving on the Parks and Recreation Department Advisory Committee does not
disqualify me.
My interest in the McCall Public Library is long standing. One of the first
connections I made in the community was with the library when we moved to
McCall five years ago. I have been a regular patron since and a supporter of the
library. I was the secretary and a founding board member of the McCall Public
Library Foundation and a member of the Friends of the Library. While 1 resigned
from the Foundation two years ago when I turned 80. 1 believed the organization
needed to replace me with a person of wealth and it was someone else's turn. I
have since decided I have the necessary energy to stay involved in working on
community betterment activities.
Too, I continue to be amazed at the ingenuity of the library staff in finding ways to
bring new programs and services to the community and have followed the
challenges presented by the unanticipated costs of constructing the new building.
The McCall Public Library is an exceptional community asset responsive to the
needs of a changing community. The proof of its importance and exceptionality is
the recent passage of a bond for a new building for space to expand its 211
Century services. Its programs are noticed outside the community—Doing
Democracy being but one example. The engagement of youth in expanding
services (the library bike) and volunteers manning the roaming tutor bus program
delivered in neighborhoods to students needing extra help with school work are
other examples of the library staff members' creative responses to community
needs.
Page 2
Application to Fill Board of Trustee Vacancy
I have been involved with other library development efforts in the past, including
obtaining grants to fund the development of a regional library network to connect
college, public, and school library services across Eastern Oregon and successful
passage of a bond to develop a new Pendleton, Oregon city hall and library. I also
served on the La Grande Public Library Board and on numerous other State of
Oregon, non-profit, and non-elected local government bodies.
I believe my past project financing, development, and management will enable
me to contribute as a member of the McCall Public Library Board of Trustees.
Sincerely,
Terry Edvalson
616 N. Third/PO Box 2569
McCall, Idaho