Just a few years ago, the Great Neck community embraced a Parkwood renovation that costs the average homeowner $120 a year. That’s far more than the opposed bond for the library, which has roughly 10 times as many card holders as there are Parkwood pool members.
I don’t know why only one of these fine institutions has caused such a stir. Nor do I know why this week’s library board election is uncontested if so many people voted against their consensus. But I do know that if we stall, there may be many other costly emergency repairs like the cooling system for main branch this past summer.
At this point, the best way for the staff and board of the library to quickly move forwards may be with a carefully crafted survey. Some benefits:
It makes the referendum a formality, as the public has already made the major decisions.
It eliminates rumors by documenting the true cost of any controversial amenity.
It becomes objective, with all “sides” reviewing the wording.
It can produce quick results. I’d suggest that a survey committee comprised of staff, board, architect, and public members meet weekly.
Steven Hirsch
Great Neck
