Vote no on library plan

The Island Now

The proposed renovation of the Great Neck Library Main branch has been a source of heated contention for the past few years.

Despite consistent taxpayer and neighborhood opposition, the library board continues to put forward grandiose building projects that are poorly conceived and out of place in this residential and environmentally fragile location.

On Tuesday Oct. 25, the public will finally have the opportunity to vote and make their wishes known.

Vote no to the bond proposal to send the message that taxpayers reject this wasteful over-spending of their hard-earned money on a poorly conceived and unneeded project. Reject the unnecessary $20.8 million bond that will balloon to $35 million taxpayer dollars at the end of the 20-year payment period. Instead, do a complete and modern Iinterior renovation for $9 million.

Vote no to over-building on this fragile wetland tidal area. The proposed new building would extend much closer to the water’s edge, threatening the wildlife of Udall’s Pond.

Vote no to prevent a parking, congestion, and safety nightmare on Bayview Avenue and the side streets in this residential area. The previous board proposal was refused by the Town of North Hempstead due to inadequate parking facilities – that has not changed.

Vote No to a large library facility that is out-dated before it is even built. Libraries of the future will assist in electronic media flow directly to home computers and electronic media devices. Large storage spaces will be needed less and less. So why overbuild now?

Vote no to prevent the inconvenience and expense of a proposed two year closing of the Main Branch.

If you want to maintain the current beautiful building as it is with a total interior renovation, protect the environment, and keep wasteful tax spending down, make it a priority to vote no on the bond referendum on Oct 25. It is time to stand up and make our voices heard where they count – at the polls!

Ada Berkowitz

Great Neck

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