I read the following statement at the Great Neck Library Board Meeting of Feb. 9.

As I began to review the recommendations that trustees made for the two Board Nominating Committee positions, I was truly surprised to see that Catherine Moore recommended Valerie Molinaro Birnbach. In January 1999 this individual, backed by Friends of the Library, a political action committee, unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the Nominating Committee against Marianna Wohlgemuth. The public's voice was heard; they voted and chose Wohlgemuth to retain her seat.

In a flagrant disregard of public will, this board has chosen Birnbach for one of the board-appointed Nominating Committee seats. Did Moore or the board consider the fact that Wohlgemuth was the Nominating Committee's selection and by Birnbach's own admission, the Nominating Committee did not choose her¬not for trustee or nominating committee?

Having said that, why would this board appoint her to this committee? It certainly sends a clear and distinct message to the public, the Nominating Committee and to Wohlgemuth. The only logical explanation for this nonsense is one that saddens me, the choice is political in nature; had the tables turned and Wohlgemuth lost, I would venture to guess that she would not be in consideration for the board-appointed place. When will all of this stop?

Marietta DiCamillo