CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — More than 20 candidates applied for the recently open positions on the city's library board, which acts as an advisory body to city leaders on all things concerning library services.
The city was tasked with filling five spots, three of which were up for re-appointments.
In a vote held on Nov. 14, council members chose not to reappoint any of the board members who were hoping to continue in their roles, but to instead appointed three new candidates.
3NEWS obtained copies of those candidates' applications, which provide a closer look at the new members' backgrounds.
Pooja Bindingnavele was one of those members whose position was up for a vote on Tuesday. She was not reappointed.
"It was very much blindsiding," she said. "It seems like it was a very deliberate decision."
Among the applications submitted, the three existing board members seeking re-appointment were all passed over.
Bindingnavele has a degree in biochemistry. She is a mom of five and serves on her children's PTA boards. Candace Hart is a retired librarian and Vickie Natale has worked 40 years in higher education.
"I don't know why, but coming from a place where we were unpaid volunteers to the city who sat on a board, I feel like if you are not going to reappoint someone you should either have a conversation with them ahead of time," she said. "None of those council members reached out to any of the people that were not reappointed."
During the Nov. 14 meeting, there was a fast-paced 'no' from five council members when asked if the women should be re-appointed.
Those council members initially voting 'no' included Gil Hernandez, Mike Pusley, Michael Hunter, Dan Suckley, and Everett Roy.
Roy agreed to speak with 3 NEWS about the decision.
"I know myself and other council members had a lot of questions about some of the procedures policies and overall workings of the library board," he said.
Roy explained his decision goes back to budget discussions and what he said was, in part, a lack of communication.
"I know in the past when I tried to reach out to some of the existing board members, it's been a very hostile environment in terms of just being able to communicate," he said.
For Bindingnavele, it was a different story.
"None of those council members attended one library board meeting, nor did they reach out to any library-board member with any concerns they had," she said.
Roy said he was prepared to nominate one candidate, but was told during the meeting he could nominate five, all who were ultimately voted in.
"Because I went first, I gave the five and I based those five, because those are people that I've had their bios, information, and talked to them or people who knew them and encouraged or vouched for them," he said.
However, some of the new selections sparked questions from community members.
The League of Women Voters in Corpus Christi said one of the new appointees is a prominent in the book-banning movement.
"This person has been vocal in advocating before other elected bodies that her group's views on what people should be allowed to read should trump the judgment of professional librarians," said Tim Dowling, the Director of media communications for the League of Women Voters during public comment. "In other words, her group should have the power to limit what people think or what they should read."
3NEWS asked Roy about the book-banning allegations.
"I never had any of the candidates indicate to me in terms of wanting to do or be involved in book-banning," he said. "That was something told to us by a few people. You have to also remember that were a quite a few other people who came to council and spoke highly of the individuals who were selected, but I don't encourage any type of book-banning or erasing history or doing away with certain things. I just think we need to be able to protect our children."
New library board members include Carrie Moore, who has a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies.
She listed her employer as Citizens Defending Freedom, a group that is described on its website as a Christian-based non-profit that aims to fight radical gender policies.
Joan Carrillo is a retired elementary teacher.
Patricia Craig is a volunteer with a BS in astronautical engineering.
Melinda de Los Santos serves on the election integrity project.
Dolores Rabon simply shared on her application that she was retired and "a concerned citizen."
Council member Roy said the selection went beyond looking at the initial résumés. He added that the three women up for re-appointment never reached out to him.
"I had other people reach out that were willing to serve, they seemed open-minded, seemed even temperament -- you know what? Maybe it's time to look at a change," he said.
Roy said since the vote he has received threatening emails because of his selection.
It's important to note, according to city manager Peter Zanoni, the library board is only able to advise, and does not have any power to institute any policy on what the library actually does with its books.
The next library board meeting was scheduled to be Dec. 5 at La Retama Central Library, but a news release sent Friday states that meeting has been re-scheduled because the board has neither a chair or vice-chair.
"Since 1987, when the Board was created, there has always been a Board-appointed Chair or Vice Chair to preside over and conduct the meetings.
The Library Director is working with the City Secretary and Legal Department to develop a protocol to have the Library Board hold a first meeting requiring the election of Board Officers.
As a result of the time needed to develop the Officer Election protocol, the December Board Meeting has been rescheduled to December 12," the release states.
This is a developing story. 3NEWS will provide updates as we get them.