Florida library to partner with Florida schools for voting
Florida. Mail-in ballot must be returned by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9
| 21 May 2020 | 01:19
Due to all the uncertainties related to the COVID-19 closures, the Florida Public Library’s annual budget vote and trustee election will follow a new procedure for 2020 and take place in June instead of April.
The Ramapo Catskill Library System, of which FPL is one of 47 member libraries, has recommended that voting take place in as efficient a manner as possible before the start of the July 1 fiscal year.
The library will join with the Florida School District this year and propositions for both the library and school will appear on the same ballot.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has directed that all voting be by absentee ballot, so voters of the school district and the library, which share the same geographic boundaries, will receive the ballot by mail and can return their votes in the postage paid envelope by 5 p.m. on election day, Tuesday, June 9.
All registered voters in the Florida School District are eligible to vote. Two library propositions will be on the joint school/library ballot: one for the library’s operating budget for 2020-2021 and one for the election of two trustees.
The proposed tax levy is $486,058 which represents a total increase of $13,600 over the current year.
Estimated tax rates are $1.33 for the Town of Goshen, an increase of 4 cents per $1,000 or assessed valuation, and $5.95 for the Town of Warwick, an increase of 17 cents per $1,000.
“This budget is as lean as it can be and we continue to apply for as many grants as we can for programs," said Library Director Madelyn Folino. "Using absentee ballots only is a new process for us and we’re figuring it all out as we go along. We are happy to partner with the school this year and Superintendent Jehring and her team have been great to work with, especially given the short notice to organize the election."
Library Trustee election
Two trustee seats are up for election to new three-year terms commencing July 1. The library had completed its petition process before its March closure and only incumbents Nancy B. Scott and Kevin Lundell had returned petitions.
Scott has served on the board of trustees since 2006, including as president, vice president and secretary and is the current vice president. She has lived in Florida for 38 years and worked in the Orange County Computer Information Systems Department for 33 years. She has a B.A. in Psychology and an A.A. in Computer Information Systems. She also serves as an officer of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1250 and the Flor-Wick Friends, a local senior group. She is a member of the Friends of the FPL, organizing used book sales and chairing the annual Spring Tea fund raiser, and is also active in the Seward-Mapes Homestead restoration group.
Her favorite thing about FPL is the friendly and helpful staff and the wonderful programs for all ages. She enjoys bringing her experience in Civil Service and her computer background to her role as a trustee. She states “The library is a community center joining all ages with books, programs and technology. My goal is to continue to expand these services and help them grow to meet the needs of the community.”
Lundell was elected to fill a vacancy on the board in 2019 and is now running for his first full term. He’s a longtime Orange County resident and a graduate of Goshen High School. He has a background in internet technology and currently works as a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate in a local mental health and substance abuse urgent care facility. He lives in Florida with his wife, Nicolle, and has three daughters, two of whom attend Golden Hill Elementary School and one in school in Texas. He served as Golden Hill PTA President for two years and also serves on a NYS PTA Governance Team focusing on male involvement. For the FUFSD, he serves on the District Advisory Team and he also works with youth through the Warwick Valley Prevention Coalition. As a library trustee, he is currently chairman of the personnel committee.
Lundell’s favorite thing about FPL is the programs offered, the community involvement and the library’s relationship with the school district. He states “I feel that we are at a very important time in the library’s history. It is an exciting time to evolve and grow the already monumental foundation that has been established before us. I feel that as we grow, so can our programs, technology and services. We have a special facility and I am proud to see it grow and be even more successful.”
For more information on the election or programs, call (845) 651-7659 or visit the library’s website at www.floridapubliclibrary.org.