-By Tom Winters
I was extremely pleased to read the recent story regarding the grant of $25,000 received by the Mineola Memorial Library through the efforts of our tireless working recently re-elected State Senator Jack Martins. As a former trustee and treasurer of the library board under jack’s tenure as mayor, I know just what these funds will mean not only to Library Director Charles Sleefe and his staff but to all residents of the Village of Mineola who are fortunate enough to utilize one of the jewels of our town.
Funding for the library’s many programs, materials and technology are ultimately determined by the village board after input from the Library Board. Sometimes, but not always, the library can be overlooked by other village services such as fire, public works or capital projects.
This small, but important, contribution will provide valuable resources to be purchased without any increase in village taxes nor will the library be sacrificed by needs from other areas of village government deemed more important or potentially more practical.
What makes this item even more ironic, as most residents may not know, is that Jack began his political career as a member of the Mineola Memorial Library Board of Trustees. Jack has renewed the village during his time as its chief executive, found ways to fight for our rights as state senator (including the restoration of former rescinded grants and funding during his initial term in Albany) and now has found additional monies to upgrade technology for residents to use in one of the most accessed areas of our library. Talk about coming full circle, Jack always does what is right for Mineola and never forgets his roots.
With all the recent news regarding PILOTs, school district tax concerns, downtown commercial and residential high-rise construction, it is a breath of fresh air to hear something as simple as our library receive due recognition. Congratulations to Jack and Charles for seeing that the Mineola Memorial Library remains one of the shining lights of the Nassau Library System.
