With such an array of candidates running for the position of library trustee, it cannot go without stating how limited libraries are in what they can do by New York State Education Law and community expectations.
Libraries are a place for education, enrichment, and for the discovery of intellectual pursuits. And as technology has made accessibility to information easy, libraries adapted by providing access through a variety of services, programs, and partnerships to stay relevant.
Charles Fisher
Resident of Smithtown for 15 years
Chaminade Alumnus
Graduated from the University of Notre Dame’s School of Business in 1992
Graduated Fordham Law in 1995
Former Clerk in the Federal courts, began private practice for a Wall Street firm, began my own law practice in 1999
Proud husband, and a father of 3 teens
Smithtown Republican Committeeperson
What Motivated Me To Run?
More like, who motivated me to run?
Answer – A small group of political activists who have been pushing what they want on everyone else. The library should take no sides on controversial topics of the day.
My General Plan
My role as a member of the Smithtown Library Board of Trustees will be to help manage the budget, to keep our libraries relevant in this age of pervasive electronic access, and to continue to make sure people have the ability to learn about all sides of all topics.
My Core Principals
It is critical for a library to house important materials but it is not critical to push controversial materials into the faces of our community members. I do not want to see a MAGA book on prominent display as much as I do not want to see an Antifa book promoted by our libraries, but both should be available to our community.
Striving Toward a Goal
I would like to see more authors do book signings at our libraries.
The Smithtown Special Library District remained nimble under its board of trustees, expanding services and the quality of facilities offered and overcame obstacles along the way. It did so with community support and support from its partners in Smithtown: unbridled, nonpartisan support.
However, it cannot do so as a lightning rod for controversy. A trustee not on the ballot invited unwanted controversy, dividing our community. Protestors and advocates seek to turn the public library into a political theatre to advance far-right and far-left agendas-. When in reality, the qualities for a library board candidate should be those oriented toward the practice of good governance, accountability, and transparency.
That is why the editorial board has taken upon itself to endorse Charles Fisher, JoAnn Lynch, and Michael Gannon for library trustees. Their impeccable resumes and community relationships would serve the library well, while their commitment to an environment for everyone is enough to assuage concerns by malicious actors against them and their reputations.
JoAnn Lynch
Resident of Kings Park for 10 years
Graduated from SUNY Farmingdale in 1994 for Business Administration
A Certified Pharmacy Technician for 15 years.
Proud wife and mother of 3 children.
What Motivated Me To Run
I love this town. I feel blessed to have the ability to raise my family in such a beautiful town, with such a strong community. I believe the library’s continued success relies on programming that benefits its patrons, and I want to be a part of that. I have always made an effort to volunteer within the town wherever I can. Now that my second child has gone to college, I can contribute more of my time and skills to volunteering at the Smithtown Library.
My General Plan
The library already has an abundance of wonderful programs and facilities open to everyone. I will continue that, as well as listen to the needs of the community for future endeavors. I will make an effort to be transparent to the community in regards to library policy, budget, and future goals.
My Core Principles
The library has proven itself to be an essential resource to the community. The library should, to the best of its ability, fulfill the community’s needs, values and interests. Parents can rely on the library to be a safe and abundant resource for their children’s interests, education, and imagination.
The community can use the library as a supplemental resource to fill the gaps in the education of our children, as they have fallen behind in conventional milestones of developmental progress (i.e.: speech, reading).
The library continue to be an essential resource to the needs of this town’s senior community, which includes its programs, outings, and outreach efforts. Since the library is funded by the community, I will help oversee that those funds are properly allocated and reported.
The library welcomes all members of the community, and contributes to the enrichment of its town.
Striving Toward a Goal
Smithtown is a strong, proud community. Our library is a part of our educational system, and a valuable resource to the community. I want to increase awareness of those resources to the township, and welcome the community to contribute to the library’s success.
The Fisher, Gannon, Lynch ticket brings the collective experience of three parents, an attorney, a CEO, and highly involved community members together for a common aim. The collective group is dedicated to preserving the services, expanding them where possible, and keeping in mind reasonable fiscal limitations.
Many may not care to vote or get involved in these elections, but this is the rubber meets the road – this is where your town happens. For those reading this editorial outside of the Smithtown Special Library District, while we are not weighing into your races, they are still important.
Michael Gannon
Michael is a Long Island native and has been a Smithtown resident since 2007. Michael is a devoted husband of 24 years. Married to Denise Gannon, they are parents of four outstanding children, all of whom attended or currently attend Smithtown schools.
Professionally Michael is CEO/Owner of SDNY Inc, a medical practices management company since 2005. Prior to that he was a professional sales consultant specializing in medical diagnostic technology. He credits his personal and professional success to God, family and a great country that affords opportunities to grow and create.
Michael’s interest in being elected library trustee stems from his awareness that political agendas have infiltrated America’s public institutions. As trustee nominee Michael vows to uphold the founding principles and traditions of our public library system as centers for research and education, guided by precedence and grounded in truth.
We’d urge the voting population in this election to go beyond the pages of The Messenger in the formation of their decision. The library itself provides candidate profiles for your viewing and candidates appear to be in the early stages of creating online presences.
Start a dialog with your candidates and take ownership of your elections.
Remember to vote October 11.
That is the message. This is The Messenger.
