Response for Great Neck News to letter from Marianna Wohlgemuth, printed in the November 23, 2012 edition
Dear Ms. Wohlgemuth,
Our director, Jane Marino, forwarded the electronic mail you sent on November 19, 2012 concerning the rescheduled library election, and I would like to answer your concerns.
Although the library’s bylaws indicate that we hold an election on the last Monday in October, which this year was October 29, 2012, they are silent on what to do if the election can not be held that day, which was the case after Nassau County Supervisor Edward P. Mangano declared a state of emergency.
When catastrophic events, such as this hurricane, the microburst in 2010 or Hurricane Irene last year, happen the library’s opening or closing must be decided and that decision is always made by the director, in consultation with the board president.
I first consulted with our library’s counsel who advised me that since we did not have a physical quorum of the board available to meet, I could obtain a consensus by e-mail or phone. I consulted every member of the board regarding the new date for the election. Of the six active trustees, five were in favor of that day and the way in which it was decided and one trustee was not. At the time the decision was made, our main focus was to ensure that we gave our community 15 days notice, as required by our bylaws. I was not worried about any “write-in campaigns” since at that time I had no knowledge of any write-in campaign.
The change to October from January was approved by the board to appear on the ballot at their October, 2001 board meeting and voted on in January, 2002.
Yes, the weather is a concern, and I believe that the beginning of December has a better chance of having pleasant weather than January.
In answer to your questions about the absentee ballots,
They remain, sealed in their envelopes, in the director’s office. They were picked up at the end of business on Friday, October 26 by the director and they have remained there ever since. There are only six of them.
While Hurricane Sandy caused temporary dislocations our area, the long-term dislocations to which you refer were on the southern part of Long Island.
For example, the Great Neck school district reports that 100 percent of its students have returned to the district.
While it is possible that one of the six people who voted by proxy died, it is highly unlikely given their small number. We will check that all the absentee ballots belong to eligible, live people.
The eligibility to vote is the same as for any other library election. If you live within the Great Neck School District and you are registered to vote or if you have a valid Great Neck Library card, you may vote.
I hope I have addressed your concerns. While I take issue with the tone of your letter, I can only respond to your questions by using the facts at my disposal. Thank you for your interest in this matter.
Sincerely,
Varda Solomon
President, Board of Trustees
Great Neck Library
