Pastor Justin takes on Library Guy

It’s Wednesday, so let’s talk about our favorite menace.

First, we’re going to jump right in and elevate Justin Stickland to hero status.

Justin is chairman of the Library Advisory Board. He’s also a close friend, the one I refer to as Pastor Justin, a man who has saved my spiritual sanity time and again.

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Justin, you may recall, was considered a safe appointment to the library board. He’s a pastor, so there’s the Christian set. And he’s logical, which placated folks worried about Library Guy’s antics. Everyone who knows Justin, trusts Justin. That's a lot of people.

He's done a fine job, far as I can tell. He chairs a good meeting.

Now, the thing about Justin. Polite as all get out. Loves Jesus to his core. But, man, start messing with him and see what happens.

Like Tuesday.

OK, they’re discussing displays or something like that. Again, it’s one make-believe issue after another for these anti-library people.

Little background: Library Guy, aka John Labriola, wanted a Charlie Kirk book display. The Library Board said no. Justin, an unabashed Charlie Kirk fan, didn’t think it belonged as a display either.

No one turns down Library Guy without recriminations. Labriola contacted a parishioner at Crystal River Church of God, where Justin is executive pastor, urging him to tell the County Commission that Justin is a liberal from a liberal church and not aligned with our Christian values.

First off, as Justin said Tuesday, John Labriola clearly has never visited that church. I've attended nearly every Sunday morning and many Wednesday nights for the last five years. Services are a Bible-thumping, spirit-driven 90 minutes that’ll weaken the knees of the most fervent atheist. Maybe Labriola should stop by to see what real grace looks like.

Justin relayed this story Tuesday. Then he brought it home:

“Mr. Labriola is not here for what’s right. He’s only here for power. Period. And when power is not represented in his way, he will use every ability he has to manipulate this board. He will tarnish your name…when you don’t vote the way he wants. Make no mistake, you think he won’t touch you? He will.”

I added in my notes: “YAY!”

I mention Library Guy with mixed feelings. As many readers point out, he enjoys the publicity, so why freely give it to him? I agree somewhat; each Library Guy blog should have a particular message beyond his chicanery.

That said, I’m with Justin on this. 

When Library Guy first started his campaign of havoc through our community, those calling him out were few and far between. I did. Chamber president Josh Wooten did. JWC readers, in particular, keep close tabs on his public mistruths.

But some turn a blind eye to Labriola, or, worse yet, act like all is normal with him when it's clearly not.

I've seen him referenced publicly as a “Christian conservative” or “local conservative activist.” He is neither. He works for someone.

As Justin said Tuesday: “Mr. Labriola is the only paid person who comes up and speaks, because he is a lobbyist. Mr. Labriola gets up here and says what’s on his mind because if he doesn’t, he doesn’t have a job.”

That’s a much more accurate description of Library Guy. He is not an “activist” or “community” anything. He’s a hired gun. 

Suggesting he's a "conservative activist" is even more insulting. This county’s conservatives, red to the core, are disgusted by his behavior. They distance themselves from Library Guy.

Look, folks. This is someone who will smear a respected local pastor to further his own sick means and make a buck. I hope his followers are beginning to see they’re being duped.

Library Guy stays relevant when community leadership is silent. Justin Strickland just threw the gauntlet. Let’s not leave him hanging.

— That’s Debbie Reilly to Justin’s right. She has nothing to do with any of this, but I couldn’t figure out how to crop her out of the photo. Debbie is retiring from the county library system. I tell ya…what Debbie does for this community. She’s one of those people who just, you know, SHOWS UP to help. Just a very positive spirit. Prayers for her well-deserved retirement (but don’t go too far Debbie…Strawberry Fest is two weeks away.)

Have a great Wednesday, friends.

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