The New City Library budget vote and trustee election takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Residents of New City, Congers and West Nyack can register to vote with the Clarkstown School District Clerk until Wednesday, Dec. 5. They can also apply for an absentee ballot at the library through Wednesday, Dec. 5.
There are three locations for the 2013 budget vote. Ballots for library trustees can only be cast at the New City Library. Six candidates are running for three seats of on the library’s board of directors. The proposed 2013 budget of $5,089,075 would increase taxes by 1.23 percent
The candidates are: Victor Berger, Cecily Cohen, Christian Cortelli, Edward Kallen, George Jacobson and Terence Mulgrew.
Applications submitted by the candidates are posted on the library’s website. These are brief synopsis of those bios along with a statement of their interest in serving on the board.
Victor Berger has been a resident of New City for 40 years. He is an attorney who has worked with the Federal Communications Commission and practiced international and corporate law. For the past 10 years he has worked as a legal consultant in publishing and information services.
“My interest in serving as a Trustee of the New City Library is to give back to my community and help insure the continued availability of general public information services for the benefit and free use of the members of the community.”
Cecily Cohen is a 44-year resident of the county and a 14-year New City resident. She is a volunteer at the library and member of the Rockland Camerata Chorus, currently serving as its chairperson.
“As a volunteer at the New City Library I have become families with its various collection of books and other media and I have been impressed by the knowledge and helpfulness of the staff.”
Christian Cortelli is a New City resident who grew up in Bardonia. He is a member of the Clarkstown Police Department and works in the patrol division and as a drill instructor at the police academy. Cortelli enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after the attacks on 9/11 and served in Iraq. He recently re-enlisted and is assigned to a reserve motor transport unit. Cortelli is running for his first full term on the board after being appointed in September to finish the term of Aney Paul.
Edward Kallen of New City currently works as principal law clerk for Rockland County Supreme Court Judge Alfred Weiner. Previously, Kallen, an attorney, had his own general practice law firm. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association and Rockland County bar Association and has served on the board of directors of numerous local and Rockland County organizations. Kallen, who is seeking his first full term on the board, was appointed to complete the term of Barry Warner who resigned in September 2011.
George Jacobson has been a resident of New City for 35 years. He is an accountant and previously taught in New York City Public Schools. Jacobson is a member of the board of directors of the Rockland Alliance for Health.
“In seeking a seat on the board of trustees my goal is to enable the library to continue to provide the services that I have become accustomed to.”
Terence Mulgrew is a lifelong New City resident. He has been an English teacher for 22 years. For the past 12 years he has taught English at Spring Valley High School, where he serves as Academic League advisor. Previously, he taught in the Bronx.
“I believe that my work experience and ties to the community make me a strong candidate to help maintain the high standards that the New City Library patrons deserve.”
