While there is no race for Farmingdale school board this year, there is one for the Farmingdale Library Board.

The seat being vacated by local artist and gallery owner Paul Gatto, who is retiring after 21 years as a trustee, is being pursued by three candidates.

The library seat candidates - Amy Losi, Rosemary Trudden, and Anthony A. Vaccaro, Sr. - introduced themselves to the public at a Farmingdale PTA-sponsored Candidate Forum Monday evening.

The two candidates for two school board seats - current school board president Josephine Macchia and Dr. Dolores F. Saxton - who are both running unopposed, also spoke.

Losi, the first of the library candidates to speak, described herself as suited for the position because she is an enthusiastic consumer of books. "I feel my whole life has been defined by books," she said. Formerly a teacher in Farmingdale Schools, she is a published writer and currently an editor for an educational testing publisher. Losi has lived in the Farmingdale School District for 19 years.

Trudden, the next to speak, noted that she is running for the position because, "I feel I have the time and talents to give back to the community." Formerly an executive staff member of McCourt & Trudden Funeral Home in Farmingdale, she is presently employed at the press office of the Nassau County Executive's office. Trudden has lived in the Farmingdale School District for 23 years.

Vaccaro, who described himself as an avid user of the library, noted that he would be a good salesman of the library. He indicated that he would voice his opinions and be a proponent of change. "Still water runs deep and dirty," he said. "I will be in there, churning the water to make sure that these changes are heard for the good of the people of Farmingdale." With over 30 years experience as an administrator, he feels he has the skills to do it. Vaccaro has lived in the Farmingdale School District for 41 years.

The candidates also answered questions from the audience. For example, one audience member asked what role the library board should play in the selection or approval of materials for the library. To this, Vaccaro said the board should not restrict the materials because this would be an infringement of the First Amendment. Trudden noted that the board should discuss each case individually and use common sense to decide on them. Losi said that the board does and should continue to set policy about what materials come in, although there should be no censorship of materials.

Saxton, who is running unopposed for the school board seat of Trustee Joan Lifson, also introduced herself to the public at the forum. The current president of the Farmingdale Breakfast Rotary Club, she noted that she is seeking election because she is concerned with the education of youngsters. She said that for her, "education has always been a very deep love." A nurse with a broad higher education background, she has taught nursing at Nassau Community College, was dean of instruction there, and has authored and edited many nursing textbooks. She boasts such educational degrees as BS, MA, EdD and MPS. A 35-year resident of the Farmingdale School District, she also indicated that she would like to encourage more cooperation between senior citizens and the school district.

Macchia, a 27-year resident of the Farmingdale School District, who is running unopposed for re-election to the school board, is well known in Farmingdale for her service on the board since 1989. She is currently employed by the government of the Town of Oyster Bay, and previously worked for an aircraft manufacturer. At the forum, she reaffirmed her commitment to the school board position. "I love what I do, and I will continue doing what I do to the best of my ability," she said, noting that her goal in serving is to help as many children as possible.