Dear Great Neck Library President Varda Solomon and Trustees:
The recent decision to hold a new election on Dec. 3, 2012 for the Great Neck Library Board of Trustees is utterly farcical, except that it is actually quite serious in nature.
The board president, Varda Solomon, who is herself running in the election, decided, without board approval, to cancel the election on the 29th of October due to the weather. Cancelling the election was probably a sound decision, without board approval is the problem.
Rescheduling the election for Dec. 3 is questionable. I have learned the reason President Solomon made this decision is because there is no quorum until the end of November.
I am told she consulted with counsel and this was the result of his recommendation. What is the rush for Dec. 3 other than the possibility of a write-in campaign gaining momentum?
In the not too distant past, the library held every annual election at the end of January and the date was changed to accommodate more pleasant weather. December is no more pleasant than January.
Now let’s get to the absentee ballots which are the most problematic in this fiasco. President Solomon decided to use the absentee ballots cast for the Oct. 29 election. The absentee ballots were picked up by a library representative on Oct. 26 at 5 p.m.
1) Where have they been stored? Who is guarding them?
2) During Hurricane Sandy several residents had to relocate and still might not be living in their homes…how will they vote if not by absentee ballot and yet there will be no new ballots issued.
3) Is it possible that a member who cast their vote by absentee ballot has died during the interim…do they still vote because their absentee ballot was received by the Library in time for the October 29 election?
4) Who is eligible to vote in the Dec. 3 election?
The Dec. 3 election was decided upon in haste by President Solomon without regard to basic election rules and library bylaws.
This is highly irregular, especially in a election campaign during which President Solomon is seeking reelection.
Is President Solomon’s intent to discourage voting? Very truly yours,
Marianna Wohlgemuth
New Hyde Park
