Westbury residents Lawrence Boes and Stephen Johnson are seeking election to the Westbury Library's Board of Trustees. Both men, with strong professional backgrounds and roots in the community, are vying for the only available seat.

To help readers in their voting process, The Westbury Times has compiled the following profiles on each candidate.

Stephen A. Johnson, a resident of Westbury since 1993, was appointed to the board in January 2001 - at the recommendation of current member Yvette Long - to complete the term held by the late Arlene Coleman, a longtime member and founding member of the library's satellite site in New Cassel, who passed away.

A certified public accountant and an attorney, Johnson earned his bachelor's in accounting from Baruch College and his law degree from JD Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, Michigan. In 1988, he joined the Manhattan-based PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, the largest professional services firm in the world, and was named tax partner in 1999. His practice focuses on corporate tax law and specializes in domestic and international tax issues for a wide range of multinational clients.

In addition to the library board, Johnson is on the board of directors of the Hempstead Boys and Girls Club of Long Island, a member of the Bar United States Tax Court, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the executive committee of the American Electronics Association. He is also actively involved at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Roosevelt.

According to Johnson, both his professional education and experience make him the appropriate choice for the position. "My prior and current memberships, as well as my experience dealing with boards of some of the largest industrial companies in the world, makes me uniquely qualified to serve as your trustee," Johnson said. "With the benefit of my professional education and experience, I have provided and will continue to provide, the leadership, financial expertise and competence needed on the board."

Johnson stated that serving on the board is important to him because the library is a vital artery in the community. "As all residents of Westbury would agree, our public library facilities, including our children's library, is one of the jewels of our village," he said. "During my time on the board of trustees, we have received several testimonials from residents with regard to the pride they feel for their library and, for several new residents, the library was an important part of the decision to move to Westbury. As a trustee I see my role as a steward, to maintain and enhance this jewel for the continued benefit of all residents of Westbury."

Johnson said there are also several areas in which the library could be improved. Some of his ideas include expanding computer facilities, making collections more relevant and topical to improve circulation, expanding the list of programs offered, and improving the physical plant to make the buildings even more attractive and inviting.

"I'm knowledgeable about the issues, share your enthusiasm to improve our library and willing to commit my talents, energy and time to make this effort a success," he said. "I will be your independent, hardworking voice on the board to make sure that your voice is heard, your needs are met and that your tax dollars are spent wisely."

Johnson is married 16 years to Phyllis, a kindergarten teacher in the Roosevelt School District. They have two daughters, Courteney and Sydney.

A resident of Westbury since1969, Lawrence Boes graduated cum laude from Columbia University Law School and is a retired partner of a New York City national law firm, specializing in litigation, municipal and antitrust law and professional ethics.

In addition to being a former editor of the Columbia Law Review and a law clerk of the United States Court of Appeals, Boes is also a member and former chair of the Nassau County Bar Association Professional Ethics Committee and the Community Education and Public Health Committee and a member of the New York State Bar Association Committee on Attorney Standards. Locally, he served as member and chair of the Westbury Code Review Commission - Special Village Counsel, the Boy Scouts and is a former secretary of the Westbury Amateur Baseball Association and member of the Historical Society of the Westburys.

As a trustee on the board, Boes said he would like to maintain the unique historical collections of the Children's Library and the Historical Society of the Westburys, maintain and improve buildings and grounds, improve communication between the library and community residents and organizations and develop and maintain a more accessible, visible and well-used branch library in New Cassel - now at the Park Avenue School.

"There was some consideration given to closing the satellite library in New Cassel, but I think it should be made more accessible and more visible in the community," said Boes. "It is sort of tucked away, and very difficult to go to in the Park Avenue School. It is hardly frequented."

In addition, he would like to see a partnership made between the Westbury Library and Carle Place. "Carle Place residents can use the Westbury Library but they don't have withdrawal privileges," said Boes. "They can take materials out of the East Meadow Library, but East Meadow is larger than Westbury, and that is inconvenient. We have one of the best and most beautiful libraries and we have a collection of materials that no other library has in Nassau County. I think there should be an effort made to reach out to Carle Place and provide them with services."

Boes said he would also like to see more district residents employed at the library. "A lack of attention is made to district residents as far as jobs are concerned," he said. "Very few of the library employees are Westbury residents. More attention should be paid to that because it is those people who can reach out to the community. That would provide a welcoming feeling and more attention to library patrons."

Boes added that he is concerned for the economic future of the library. "As of June 30, 2001, the library reported a surplus of revenues over expenditures of over half a million dollars when approved budget for 2000-2001 was $1.9 million, according to its audited financials," said Boes. "That is unusual for a public institution. Is the library taxing too much or spending too little?"

Boes said he feels obligated to run as trustee to gain a voice for myself and other members of the community. "The library is one of the crown jewels of Westbury and it ought to be preserved and valued by everybody and not taken for granted," he said.

Boes and his wife, Joan, have three grown children.

Elections for the Westbury Library's Board of Trustee will take place on Tuesday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the library, 445 Jefferson Street, Westbury.