Bellmore Library budget, trustee vote approaching

Next week, Bellmore residents will have before them the choice of re-electing incumbent trustee Emily Schreiber or choosing resident Peter Pagones, as well as a $2.9 million budget.

The library’s administration is asking for $2,866,274 for operating expenses this year, a roughly $30,000 increase over last year’s budget.

“Our libraries provide everything from story time to job skills, from bestsellers to Paint Night, from baking classes to book discussions … and Bellmore Memorial Library does it best,” said Library Director Elaine Cummings-Young. “This past year, over 122,000 people in our

community visited our Library and over 11,000 patrons attended our programs. Our website was visited more than 115,000 times and our computers were used over 16,000 times. Our librarians answered over 8,500 questions and fulfilled over 8,400 requests for materials from other libraries.”

Incumbent Schreiber has been a Bellmore resident for many years and described herself as “a creative, dedicated and hard-working woman who wants to continue to bring her innovative skills to this position.”

Schreiber said that she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Eduation, a Master of Science degree in Gifted/Talented Education, and a Master of Arts degree in Creative Arts Therapy.
After retiring from the Malverne School District, she went on to become an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and then Nassau Community College where she teaches English and Writing in the Basic Education Program.

Schreiber was a co-president of C.A. Reinhard's PTA, president of Kennedy H.S.'s PTA, vice-president of the Bellmore-Merrick Council of PTAs, a member of the Nassau Region PTA and the Board of Managers of NYSPTA.
She also described herself as “monetarily conservative — always remembering her fiduciary responsibility.”

Lifelong Bellmore resident and Kennedy graduate Pagones said that he remembers getting his first library card at age six. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Stony Brook University and law degree from St. Mary’s University, and works for a Garden City law firm. Additionally, he is a member of the Bellmore Fire Department, where he was awarded a Medal of Valor from the county for bravery in the line of duty.

“It seems far too often, incumbent Board members run unopposed for reelection,” said Pagones. “I strongly this is not the way our democratic system should work. Rather I believe that the voters should have a choice in who they select for all their elected officials. Thus I believe the residents of Bellmore should have a choice of candidates for the library board of trustees this year. Also as an attorney, lifelong Bellmore resident and library patron and Board outsider I want to bring those ideas and different views when working with the other Board members to make the Board even stronger and more responsive to the needs and wants of the Bellmore community.”
The Bellmore Library elections will be held on April 5.

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