TheQuartering [3/23/2023]
The Sumner County Library Board voted to fire its Hendersonville library director after accusations of treatment toward Christian actor Kirk Cameron and others associated with an event in February at the library.
Allan Morales was fired by the board in a 4-3 vote, according to Sumner County Mayor John Isbell. The board’s action to terminate Morales was “related to the Kirk Cameron event,” Isbell said.
The event was scheduled to be at the Hendersonville Library on Saundersville Road on Feb. 25, and included former University of Kentucky women’s swimmer Riley Gaines and Missy Robertson of “Duck Dynasty.” The event was in conjunction with Brave Books.
Cameron posted on his Facebook page about the event that included:
“Despite the rain and the unkind pushback (from one disgruntled librarian), an OVERFLOW crowd of families, mayors, county commissioners, and celebs welcomed and joined us at the library in Hendersonville, TN. for singing the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, praying and teaching faith in God and moral values to our kids.”
Sumner County library board member Joanna Daniels declined comment about the vote. Other board members did not immediately respond to email messages.
Emails obtained by the Tennessean indicates concern by Morales about how big the event was becoming.
“Our invitation was sincere to read a book during our story time,” Morales wrote in an email dated Feb. 22, to a Brave Books representative. “We guard that time because it is for small children and not adults. We work hard at not promoting any agendas left or right.”
The emails also indicate discussion about moving the event to a church in Hendersonville.
“I just have chosen not to say anything,” Morales said. “I don’t want to add to all this. I’m hoping now that they have fired me that the community can move on. There’s not much of a point to giving my side. At end of the day I don’t hate anybody.”
Gaines recalled tension building when Cameron felt Morales was speaking too loud during a promotional filming session in the library before the public was allowed in. Gaines did not know if the noise was intentional.
Gaines also became upset with some – not all – library staff during filming because of noise that she believed was excessive and intentional.
“It’s not an accurate representation of Hendersonville , Gallatin or Sumner County,” Gaines, a resident of Sumner County said. “I hate that it resulted in termination. I don’t know if it was politically driven. There were bomb threats (reported), a lot of things going on (leading up to the event). I don’t know if it is an accurate representation of him.”
Hendersonville police charged Mark Frakl, 49, of Connecticut. with making a false bomb threat and harassment.
Police say Hendersonville Public Library received 14 emails from the same account during a short period of time referencing death and blowing up the building.