Merrick Library budget, trustee election upcoming

The Merrick Library will host its annual budget vote and trustee election in the library’s community room on Wednesday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Library officials are proposing an operating budget of a little more than $2.6 million for 2011-12, which represents a 2 percent increase in expenditures over the current year. Though the library increased personnel spending by $9,000, it trimmed $10,000 from materials and services. The full budget can be viewed on the library’s homepage.

On Tuesday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m., the library will host a budget meeting and a Meet the Candidates night that is open to the public.

To be eligible to vote, you must be a Merrick resident and a U.S. citizen who is over age 18 and registered to vote in general elections.

There are two candidates on the ballot for Merrick Library trustee. They are Laura Cody, the incumbent, and Robert Young.

Cody, who is vice president of the library board, is seeking her third term in office. A Merrick resident for 32 years, she and her husband, Bill, have two sons, B.J. and Peter, who graduated from Calhoun High School.

Cody has worked as a library technician at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point for the past 13 years. She was previously employed at the Merrick Library for seven years, and worked in the Baldwin Public Library during high school and college. “I feel a great connection to libraries, having worked in a variety of library settings for many years,” she said.

Cody served as the Birch Elementary School PTA co-president from 1995-97, and she received the PTA Honorary Lifetime Membership Award. Cody also served as treasurer of the Merrick Avenue Middle School PTA from 1994-95.

In addition, she has been an active member of the Merrick United Methodist Church, having taught Sunday School and served as education chairman. She also sings in the choir and is on the church’s Board of Trustees.

Cody said she hopes to continue serving as a Merrick Library trustee. “I’m so glad we have such a wonderful library in Merrick,” she said. “The library is a center for the community, and our library offers so many benefits to the residents.”