Budget Up, Taxes Down
Written by Betsy Abraham Wednesday, 20 March 2013 00:00
The proposed budget for the Westbury Public Library includes a $31,000 increase, but taxpayers need not to worry: they will actually be paying less.
“We did really well this past year in terms of carefully saving money so we ended up with a surplus,” said library director Cathleen Towey. “Our board of trustees decided to take a certain amount of money from the surplus, to supplement the needs of the budget and keep costs low.”
Taxpayers are expected to pay one percent less this year. Cost of library services passed along to the taxpayers will decrease to $284, from last year’s $288.
The library has proposed spending an increase of $15,000 in books and $9,000 in audio visual materials, while cutting costs in other departments such as printing and publicity, postage, retirement and social security.
These increases will allow the library to purchase more books, including bestsellers (both in print and for Nooks) as well as more music and movies. Towey is also hoping that this year, patrons will see more iPads circulated around the library.
Last year the library cut costs by switching to an electronic newsletter, using in-house staff for lawn maintenance, and partnering with outside agencies for free services. With last year’s budget, the library was able to replace several computers as well as make more of them Internet accessible.
The library was also awarded $11,000 through the Greentree Foundation Good Neighbor Grant, which was used to purchase iPads, Mac computers, and Nooks for the Teen Zone. Currently, over 21,000 Westbury and Carle Place residents are active cardholders at the library. In 2012, Westbury circulated almost 225,000 books, movies and related items and close to 19,000 people attended library-sponsored programs.
The Library Budget Vote and Trustee Election will be Tuesday, April 2 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m in the library meeting room. Towey encourages residents to come out and vote, and show their support for their local library.
“We managed to decrease the budget because we care about the taxpayers. I’d love for more people to let us know if they’re happy with things or if they’d like certain things to change,” Towey said.
Trustee elections will also take place on April 2. Kenneth Little is running unopposed and seeking re-election to his third consecutive five-year term on the Board of Trustees.
Voter registration takes place Tuesday, March 26 from 2 to 8p.m. U.S. citizens 18 years and older who are residents of the Westbury School District and registered to vote in the Nassau County or Westbury School District Elections are eligible to vote. For more information, visit www.WestburyLibrary.org or call (516) 333-0176.
News
Saturday, 18 May 2013 00:00
ZZ Top breaks 9-year recording hiatus with Rick Rubin-produced effort
For most of the ’80s, ZZ Top was an inescapable presence thanks to a plethora of videos, often times containing underdog storylines revolving around gorgeous gals, a 1933 Ford hotrod and the hirsute threesome serving as a Greek chorus of cool to the aggrieved protagonist. But amidst all the bells and whistles, the most impressive feat pulled off by this Texas power trio was using 1983’s Eliminator to adapt its bluesy hard rock boogie sound and modernize it with synthesizers and drum machines sans any kind of artistic compromising.
Friday, 17 May 2013 00:00
John Romandetti saved six people, but he shies away from the title hero.
“I don’t think of myself as a hero,” Romandetti says. “It’s nothing anyone else wouldn’t have done.”
During Hurricane Sandy, Romandetti risked his own life to go out to Howard Beach and get his girlfriend’s family out of their flooding homes. The Bethpage Air Show recently recognized his bravery, naming him the grand prize winner of the Hurricane Sandy Community Heroes contest. Romandetti, along with nine other winners, will receive VIP tickets to the Bethpage Air Show, plus the reception, and GEICO Skytypers Planeside Meet and Greet. As the grand prize winner, Romandetti also gets the chance to fly with the GEICO Skytypers during next week’s airshow.
Sports
Friday, 17 May 2013 00:00
Westbury Okinawan Karate recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary of coming to the Westbury Recreation Center. Since then, the dojo has trained 250 students, ages six and up, in the art of karate with the style of traditional Okinawan ShorinRyu Shidokan.
Founded by sensei John Power, the classes seek to instill the confidence and strength needed to obtain success in everyday life.
“A lot of kids are lacking confidence,” said Power. “We let them practice leadership in the class and this contributes to their confidence.
Friday, 10 May 2013 00:00
Members of the Carle Place Sparc/Interact club recently donated their time and talents at the Alley Pond Environmental Center in Queens. Working together with students from Mineola High School and Holy Cross High School in Queens, the SPARC members planted over 1,000 indigenous trees to help replenish one section of the 600-acre forest park. The group’s efforts were part of the NYC Plant a Million Trees Project in honor of Arbor Day, celebrated on Friday April 26th. The Carle Place planters were: Sarah Megiel, Kelsey Feit, Julia Powell, Sabrina Feit, Monique Slater, Matt Carr, Katie Megiel, Rob Ibos, and Lauren Powell. They are led by faculty advisor Kieran Morris.
Calendar
Johnny Mathis At NYCB Theatre - May 17, 18
Celebrations In Westbury - May 18
"Miles For Melanoma" - May 19
Columns
Building Better Legislators
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
Quietly Vindicated
Written by Mike Barry, MFBarry@optonline.net
Health Insurance Crisis Still Here
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
