Public Meets Candidates for Library Trustee Election

Residents gathered at the for a Meet The Candidates night for the Board of Trustees election next month.  Sponsored by the and moderated by Judy Jaccobs, Voter Services Director for the League of Women Voters, seven candidates sat on stage to share their experience and take questions.

The candidates this year are:

• Robert Lee Aitken (Incumbent)
• Myron Blumenfeld (Incumbent)
• Lynn Capuano
• Nancy Comer
• Elaine Hirschberg
• Michael Krevor
• Michael Chaplin

The experience and qualifications among the candidates were quite diverse.  Lee Aitken is an attorney in Port Washington, and has been a library trustee since 1996 and president of the since 2010.  Myron Blumenfeld is a retired environmentalist, has been a library trustee for the past five years, and volunteers in the library children's room.  Lynn Capuano is a full-time student and a U.S. Coast Guard Reserve Officer.

Nancy Comer is a managing editor and writer for online communications and a grant writer.  She is also executive director for NYC Komen for the Cure, Port Washington Public Library Health Advisory Council, and chairs the Port Washington Public Library "Books for Desert Program."  Elaine Hirschberg is a homemaker, former underwriting executive for an insurance company, and has been employed in the insurance industry for 25 years.  Michael Krevor is a retired attorney, former president and director of a cooperative apartment corporation. Michael Chaplin is a gynecologist, graduate of Columbia University and has done Monograph Processing at the Columbia Library.

While their experiences range, they all agree that the library is a "jewel in our community."  "It is necessary to keep our library the 5 star library that is has always been," Aitken said.  "We are in the top 5 percent of public libraries in the nation, and I am to maintain that placement," Blumenfeld said.

Capuano expressed her interest in energy conservation and expanding technological possibilities at the library.  "There is a great potential for this library to be a hands-on resource for new technology that we can use for our future.  I want to bring a new perspective to the board, find creative ways to expand services, but practice fiscal conservancy."  

Chaplin expressed two goals he would set in place if elected:  "A library is an educational institution that I hope to maintain, however not everyone feels that are getting their moneys worth with their taxes.  I would aim to help control costs, and make the community aware of the value of our library."  

All the candidates shared their passion and motivation to bring out the best in the library.  Following their introductions, one of the attendees, board member O'Connell, asked the candidates:  "In five years, what would you like to look back on and say you've accomplished in the next Meet The Candidates night?"

"Stewardship is what I want to accomplish.  I want to make the library the best place it can be, and use taxpayer money efficiently," Krevor said.  Hirschberg expressed her motivation to create more opportunity and bring it more resources for immigrants in the Port Washington community.  "We have many people here who are ESL (English as a Second Language), and I would like to see more resources here for them to enjoy the library."

Comer talked about the services at the library for people with diabilities.  "As the mother of a disabled child, it's important for me to see services here that cater to those who are disabled.  Everyone should be able to enjoy reading here."  Blumenfeld vowed to redo the children's room, and increase services for senior citizens.  Other goals that candidates agreed on were energy efficiency activities such as the solar powered roof that is being constructed on the library roof, and keeping their budget within reason.

Another question that was asked: "What are your plans for the volunteers that we have at the library?"  Each candidate agreed on the necessity of volunteerism at the library, and they welcome more.  "Volunteers are an essential part of our library, they bring in a new perspective on things and they are always helpful," Aitken said. One suggestions was to bring in younger volunteers.  "It would be wonderful to see more high school students come in to volunteer," Comer said.  

However, while volunteers are welcomed and valued, the candidates were firm in their position as volunteers and not employees.  "While our volunteers are treasured, they can not and should not replace the role of employed and trained professionals," Chaplin said.  "However, this is another reason why we should have younger volunteers coming in, because they can learn and potentially become the librarians of the future."

The election will be at the library on April 12th from 7 am to 9 pm.  For more information on the candidates, visit this information link on the Port Washington Public Library website:

http://www.pwpl.org/wordpress1/wp-content/uploads/meet-the-candidates.pdf