Libraries to hold elections

Bellmore and North Bellmore residents will vote in their respective libraries’ budget and trustee elections next week.

The North Bellmore Public Library vote is first on the calendar, and polls will be open from 1 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8. Patrons of the Bellmore Memorial Library will head to the polls on Tuesday, April 14, from 1 to 8 p.m.

The North Bellmore library’s proposed 2015-16 budget includes an increase in the tax levy –– the total amount the library needs to raise in property taxes to meet expenses –– of 1.8 percent. According to library budget figures, the owner of a North Bellmore home assessed at $320,000 would pay $299.80 in library taxes next year, if the $2.74 million spending plan is approved.

The budget incorporates very low spending increases, according to the board’s annual letter to the community about it. Trustees noted that they are dedicated to fulfilling the needs of 15,000 registered resident borrowers.

“With the current economic conditions, more and more patrons are taking advantage of all the programs and services we have to offer,” the letter said. “The library’s staff and board of trustees continue to implement new services and maintain and improve the library’s high level of service.”

In addition to the budget proposal, North Bellmore voters will also decide a contested library trustee election. Two residents, Robert Gibilterra and Paul Konigstein, will vie for a spot on the board.

Gibilterra grew up in North Bellmore, and gradated from Mepham High School in 1980. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Fordham University, a Bachelor of Business degree from Adelphi University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Gibilterra is now the executive vice president and chief financial officer of music and entertainment groups at Viacom Media Networks. This includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central, Spike and TV Land.

Gibilterra said he believes his 30 years of finance and business experience would be a valuable addition to the board — especially because the library is also proposing a large-scale renovation. He also noted that he is running in honor of his mother, who worked at the library for 27 years until she retired in 2010.