There are two candidates running for one position on the Levittown Public Library board of trustees. This five-year trustee position has been vacated by Dennis Conway. The library budget vote and trustee election will be held Tuesday, April 4, between noon and 9 p.m., in the Levittown Library Community Room.

Residents register to vote at the Levittown School District Clerk's office at Levittown Memorial Education Center, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. up until seven days prior to the vote. The candidates are listed below in alphabetical order.

A Levittown resident for over 40 years, Stewart McKinney said he is running for a seat on the Levittown Public Library board of trustees because he "wants to take part in the community."

McKinney said he is also interested in "seeing how things are done and why they are done that way."

"I think involvement is important for the people should not be involvement for self gain," McKinney added. "I don't care who gets the credit as long as it gets done properly."

As for the proposed remodeling project at the library, McKinney said that while it should be completed, the tax levy shouldn't be increased to pay for it.

"We have to reduce it [tax levy] and still get the project done," he added.

McKinney said he is an approachable person and he "looks forward to changes for the betterment of the people."

He also thanked opponent Richard Santer, Jr. for choosing to run and "stepping up to the plate as his civic duty."

Stewart and his wife, Theresa have an adult son who lives in Texas. Retired from a safety manager position at JFK Airport, McKinney is currently involved in several veterans organizations and programs including holding a service officer position at American Legion Post 1771 and holds a rehabilitation officer position in the Nassau County American Legion. He is also involved with the Commander of the Masonic War Veterans and Veterans Committee at the Northport VA Hospital. Additionally, McKinney participates in the Levittown School District's Flag Etiquette Program.

"It's important to know where you came from and learning what made this country is what it is today," he added. "That is what the flag is about."

Richard Santer Jr. said he chose to seek election to the Levittown Library board of trustees because he would like to give back to his home community.

"I also believe that this is a critical time for our library," he added. "As the library transitions from the decades of excellent management under recently retired Director P.W. Martin to the new leadership style of his replacement Mrs. Watman, it is essential that the board of trustees possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure that the Levittown Library maintains its excellent reputation and level of service while being cognizant of the financial constraints of the taxpayers."

Santer said his educational background and past employment at the Levittown Library over a 15-year period would give him the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively serve in the position.

"I was assigned to the library's media, public relations, custodial and reference departments," Santer added. "This experience gives me an intimate understanding of library operations."

Santer called the proposed remodeling project "extravagant" and one that "places form over function."

"I believe the necessary service enhancements and improvements in functionality can be accomplished at a significantly reduced cost."

Santer also offered alternate suggestions to the project's master plan.

A Levittown resident since 1967, Santer and his wife have a teenage son. Santer is a sixth grade teacher in East Meadow. He currently chairs the NYSUT State Taskforce for Instructional Technology, is secretary of the East Meadow Kiwanis Club and is a member of the Education & Public Outreach Team for NASA's Messenger mission to Mercury. In the past Santer has served as vice president, grievance officer and chairperson of the negotiations team of the East Meadow Teachers Association.