The importance of electing Paul Shapiro to the Island Trees Public Library Board cannot be understated. With Dennis King's resignation as managing director after 31 years, we can have an extraordinary impact on our library's future. The trustee we elect will select a new managing director to sculpt our library into an even more useful resource for residents, young and old alike.

After many stagnant years with a "do as little as possible" attitude, we elected Donnallee Dugal and Sonia Meyer. This year, with their perseverance, our library is finally opened on Sundays, benefiting the entire community, particularly working parents helping children prepare for the new New York State educational standards.

I attend many library board meetings and witness the often acrimonious exchanges when "business as usual" methodologies are questioned by Dugal and Meyer. They have helped kick-start changes in the library and now face the most important trustee task; finding an exemplary managing director to chart our library's future. By electing Paul Shapiro, we tilt the scales in favor of forward thinking positive change in our library. Shapiro has their and my unwavering support.

Only some 240 residents voted on the budget last year. Such limited community participation means that your vote really does count. This Thursday, take advantage of your civic right to truly affect change. Join me in voting on June 22 for Paul Shapiro.