Books, Backbites, Blame & Blather

“People flock in searching for answers to those questions only librarians are considered to be able to answer, such as "How do you spell surreptitious?" and, on a regular basis, "Do you have a book I remember reading once - it had a red cover?” ― 'Going Postal' by Terry Pratchett. 

I must confess that until about a year ago I did not pay much attention as to whether or not the New City library had a Board of Trustees and who were its members. After all to a user of the library it has a courteous and very helpful staff and a wide range of materials and programs that make it an outstanding asset to the residents of Clarkstown.

But then came several disturbing news headlines from which it was apparent that, in the matter of running this library, its trustees had run amok with dysfunction.

One might wonder with all of the problems at the National, State and Local government levels why our society has become so mismanaged by elected officials that it appears to be even incapable of figuring out how to run its local library. What drew my attention to the trustee issues was a report that this Board had come across an insolvable difficulty - not having a New City Library card, even if one possessed a library card from West Nyack, was a contentious issue.  

This flap had arisen because Aney Paul, who possessed a valid New City library card, had resigned from the library board to join a dysfunctional organization in Rockland County known as 'The County Legislature'.  Paul was leaving a group that had become dysfunctional over the non-possession of a library card to join another group equally dysfunctional in that it had spent Rockland County into near junk bond status and possible bankruptcy.

One might be forgiven for believing that shouting about the relevance of a library card when considering the qualifications of a candidate to become a library board trustee was anything but the 'machinations of morons'. Yet Patch reported in all seriousness that despite complaints from several board members, the Board had appointed Christian Cortelli as a trustee to finish the remainder of Aney Paul’s term while he was not in possession of the correct library card. Cortelli, a New City resident, had a West Nyack Library card and Trustee Ed Kallen was blathering that Cortelli was not "qualified" to be appointed because he did not have a card from New City.

Patch continued:  While the trustees were arguing over whether Cortelli was qualified or not, several were texting each other and at one point several of them abruptly left the meeting room. After the vote appointing him, Cortelli immediately sat down with the other trustees and Greenberg walked out of the meeting. Someone claimed that Cortelli had presented the library with evidence of his residency and that the library had failed to issue him a card. Kallen said an exception was being made and he thought Cortelli’s presence on the board was “shameful.”

Mary Beth, a commentator to my article 'Is Rockland Dysfunctional' explained the situation as follows:

The New City Library Board of Trustees is unquestionably dysfunctional, but your appraisal of the issue of a trustee without a library card is incorrect and misleading. Mr. Cortelli did not have a New City library card because he didn't go to the library to get one. The library hadn't "failed to issue him a card"--he just didn't go there to get one, which he easily could have done. Nobody really cares which library, if any, Cortelli uses. The board's bylaws require that a trustee have a card for at least 180 days prior to election to the board. The majority of the trustees were more than willing to disregard the bylaws. THAT IS THE DYSFUNCTION. Cortelli wasn't the only applicant for the vacant seat, but he is the one Ninan and Reiter wanted on the board because he is their ally. Their desire superseded the bylaws. THAT IS THE DYSFUNCTION.

Standing corrected that the library board appeared to have rational reasons for its irrational actions and given I had other things to write about, such as rising property taxes in Rockland County and ongoing crony patronage appointments in Clarkstown etc. I left the backbiting, blame and blather of the 'bookworms' on the library board to sort out their self inflicted banalaties.

Unfortunately, headlines about blather, blame and backbiting re-surfaced in a November 27, 2013 article appearing in the Rockland County Times which reported that the library board's woes were now continuing over the election for trustees to be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 and I returned to the issue wondering if the necessary New City library cards were in possession of all of the candidates.  The RCT stated: 

Despite the continuous sniping, sarcastic jabs and a great deal of eye rolling, the New City Library Board of Trustees managed at its regular meeting last Thursday night to agree upon the procedures to be used for its upcoming Board elections. The main point of contention, brought up by Trustee Kallen, was the exclusion of language prohibiting current trustees from being present during the voting process. President Ninan argued that someone had to run the election; Kallen countered that it ought not to be current trustees as some members of the public might feel intimidated by their presence during the balloting. Kallen then objected to having the nominees designated on the ballot as either Board or petition nominated. Board President Ninan shouted him down, claiming that designating the candidates in this manner was “precedent.”  Groans of impatience arose from the audience as the Board members continued to argue. 

Controversy also erupted when Trustee Jacobson questioned Director Freedman’s expenditure of almost $1,200 for “local travel.”  Ninan interrupted him, shouting, “You were at the committee meeting, weren’t you? Why didn’t you bring this up then? Why are you making a spectacle and trying to embarrass our director?”  

Other problems discussed included the lawsuit Blend Air Mechanical has brought against the library. Trustee Feliciano rebuked Kallen for directly communicating with the Blend Air attorneys rather than going through proper channels, to which Kallen retorted that because of that communication he had prevented the library from a default judgment.

During President Ninan's report, he complained about all the bad press the library was getting; during public input, a number of library patrons scolded the Board for its continuing dysfunction. One person noted that it’s not the library that is getting bad press, it is the behavior of the Board members. Phyllis Morena, a board development professional, stated that she was “appalled” by the arrogance, sarcasm and disrespectful attitude of the board president (Ninan). 

Ninan's term on the Board is up thus relieving everyone of one source of vituperation but which three of the candidates should we consider as capable of the 'Fifth labour of Heracles' - that of cleaning out the Board of Trustees' 'Augean Stables'? After reading the bios for the eight individuals running for the three open positions my personal recommendations for your consideration are Ralph Sabatini, Jeffrey Sasson, and David Zuckerberg.  

Ralph Sabatini has more than 40 years' experience as a business and financial professional, serving as Chief Financial Officer for 3 different companies. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has consulted on financial matters with small, medium and large companies, both public and private. Mr. Sabatini has lived in New City for more than 35 years and ran for Clarkstown Supervisor in 2011. He currently serves on the board of Rivertown Films, a community oriented "not for profit" association. Sabatini believes that the library can offer more service to our community by encouraging and hosting more and more varied presentations and events at the library, while still controlling its costs. His extensive experience in finance, accounting, information systems, purchasing and administration will be placed at the disposal of the Library Director and should prove to be a great asset.

Jeffrey Sasson is currently Vice President of Experience Integration at Liberty Science Center. Mr. Sasson has over twenty years experience as a senior executive with near six of those years at Liberty Science Center. As a division VP, Jeff is responsible for the departments that most directly drive museum attendance, earned revenues, and the resulting overall guest experience. The nine departments reporting to Jeff include: Marketing and Communications, Group Relations and Sales, Box Office/Guest Services, Guest Engagement, Featured Experiences, Volunteer Development, Special Events/Facilities Rental, contracted-Dining Services and contracted Retail Services. Prior to joining Liberty Science Center, other well-known brands where Jeff served as a senior corporate executive include Compass Group USA, Six Flags Theme Parks, Discovery Zone and Fresh Direct. Jeff is a past president of the Congers Civic Association. 

David Zuckerberg has served for the past 2 years as a trustee of the Ramapo Catskill Library System representing Rockland County. As an RCLS Board member he serves on the Advocacy & Fund Raising Committee and the Personnel & Finance Committee. Dave is a retired scientist and business executive, and was for many years an adjunct faculty member in the Mathematics Department of Dominican College. He is presently a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry. As a business executive, he was responsible for hundreds of employees in North America, Europe and Asia, and tens of millions of dollars in annual expenditures. Among his responsibilities was management of the research library where he emphasized technical upgrades and service to customers. Dave was vice-president of Friends of Dutch Garden County Park. In that role, he met frequently with county and state park officials and legislators, and helped obtain funding for the historic restoration of this local jewel. Dave has been active in the Youth in Engineering and Science (YES) program at Polytechnic Institute of NYU, which encourages young people from disadvantaged and historically under represented groups to pursue technical careers. As a business leader, he instituted a laboratory internship program for inner-city high school students.  Dave is a member of the New York State Historical Association and the Archives Partnership Trust. He has received tours of the State Library and State Archives; viewing their incredible treasures reinforced his belief in the importance of libraries not just as educational institutions but as guardians of our civilization.

The vote will take place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at the New City Library at 220 North Main Street.  Districts 1, 2 and 3 will vote at the New City Library while District 4 will vote at the West Nyack Free Library.  

This blog is authored by Michael N. Hull, a retired senior citizen. Hull contributes periodically to the Facebook page Clarkstown: What They Don't Want You To Know.  

Picture courtesy of navvia.com