North Bellmore Library budget, trustee vote approaching

Gimpelman, Casucci vie for one seat

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On April 5, North Bellmore residents will have before them the 2018 budget, and two people vying for one trustee position, as the library prepares for its renovation project, during which it will be in a temporary space.

The Board of Trustees is asking for a $2,806,060 budget this year, a $44,630 increase over last year’s.

“The library continues to be a valuable community resource,” Library Director Tom Bazzicalupo said in the spring newsletter. “More and more patrons are taking advantage of all the programs and services we have to offer. There are books, Playaway Launchpads, Kindles, DVDs, museum passes, downloadable e-books, Rokus and computers providing internet access.”


Residents Tara Casucci and Brandon Gimpelman are both looking to fill the one trustee seat being vacated by Dr. Ethna Lay.

Gimpelman is a lifelong North Bellmore resident and 2012 Mepham High School graduated with a Bachelor’s in Political Science from SUNY Geneseo, where he worked at the Milne Library, providing Inter-Library Loan services to other students.

During college, he was involved in the Geneseo Alzheimer's Walk, National Kidney Foundation Walk, Relay for Life, an annual Food Drive for Feeding America and an annual softball match between students and University Police to raise money for Alzheimer's research. Gimpelman continues as an active member of the Bellmore Kiwanis Club.

He is active in politics and currently works as the assistant to the Town Clerk at the Town of North Hempstead.

“Given the ongoing library renovation, there has never been a more important point to contribute my time, effort and passion,” Gimpelman said. “I believe that my breadth of experience and connections in local government would be a great asset to the board. If elected, I would strive to make the entire North Bellmore community as passionate about their library as I am.”

Casucci is married, with three daughters, one of whom is a graduate of SUNY Cortland. Her middle daughter is enrolled at SUNY New Paltz and her youngest is at Newbridge Road Elementary.

“Education is stressed thoroughly in my household, and my husband and I have supported our children’s education all throughout their lives,” said Casucci. “Something that we’ve always held to be important in our family is going to the library, whether that be my children’s school library or our town library.”

“Libraries and reading are something that we can all connect with, no matter where we are in the crazy schedules in our lives,” she added.

Casucci said she believes that libraries are community centers, which bring people together and are vital to every age group. “Public libraries are lifelines to the world and all the information in it,” she said.

“I want to run for trustee … so I can help sustain our library for future generations,” she added. “In this ever-evolving digital world, I want to help preserve the community culture libraries have created and cultivated over time.”

The North Bellmore Library elections will take place on April 5.

Visit www.liherald.com/Bellmore to read the candidates’ complete letters seeking election.