The Manhasset Public Library proposed budget for 2019-20 is going up 2.9 percent to $5,403,412. Manhasset residents have received the latest report issued by the Manhasset Public Library Board of Directors. This year the budget vote will take place on Wednesday, April 10, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. There is also one seat that will be available with the departure of William McLean.
The League of Women Voters invites residents to come to the library on Monday, April 1, at 7 p.m. to meet the Manhasset Public Library Board of Trustees candidates. Voting day nominating petitions are all in and William Hannan and Mukul Puri are running for the one open seat.
William Hannan
William (Bill) Hannan and his wife Lisa moved to Manhasset in 2004 from Manhattan. They have three children: Elizabeth, 19, Jack, 17, and Catherine, 12. Catherine attends Manhasset Middle School, Jack is a senior at Manhasset High School, and Elizabeth is a sophomore at University of Southern California.
Hannan grew up on Long Island in East Rockaway. He graduated from N.Y.U. with a degree in economics and public administration. He began a career in public finance at Lehman Brothers where he co-managed the $2 billion tax exempt commercial paper program. Later, he became an institutional fixed income salesman, and continued in the municipal bond market at Chemical Bank, Raymond James and JP Morgan. Last May he joined Hamptons Risk Management as a Director of insurance brokerage. Bill earned his MBA from Fordham University, his MA in American Studies from Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and his MPH from Johns Hopkins University. He enjoys his children’s activities, reading, politics and sports.
Hannan has been active in Manhasset in both PAL and CYO. He is secretary of the Manhasset Chamber of Commerce and active in the Booster Club that supports athletic activities at the High School. Now that his children are transitioning to college, he has more time to serve his community. He is past president of Southampton Shores Colony Club Association which has 225 homes and a $500,000-plus budget. He served on the board there for eight years. Hannan is also a lector at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
When Hannan was asked what he would bring to the Library Board of Trustees, he stated, “The Manhasset Library functions as a place for community gathering, as well as a source of knowledge and the exchange of ideas. It is more relevant today than ever before. I hope my experience in public finance, as well as my curiosity, helps our library succeed in all its endeavors. The library’s function and operation are interwoven with the public trust and I believe my values compliment this trust.”
Mukul Puri
Mukul Puri and his wife Priyanka moved to Manhasset in 2015. They have two children Arjan, six, who attends first grade at Shelter Rock Elementary School and Rahm, two, who will attend Our Lady of Grace Montessori School in the future.
Puri was educated at Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. He als
o attended Temple University’s School of Risk Management and insurance. He is the vice president of RCS Real Estate Advisors and is a commercial real estate consultant.
When ask why he wanted to run for trustee, Puri responded, “My interest in the Board of Trustees position for the Manhasset Public Library is deeply rooted in the belief of serving and giving back to our community. I look forward to developing relationships with the current trustees and the Library director so we may work side by side to develop and keep the Library at the forefront of our town.”
“We have always found the library to be the heart of our community for fun filled Saturdays with our kids, attending the many children’s programs or taking my parents when they visit,” Puri said. “It serves to be a great resource for both physical books and digital formats. Libraries have been an important part of their community for as long as we can remember. They have evolved tremendously over the years and will continue to do so. I believe it is important for the library to constantly adapt and evolve as quickly as the knowledge it serves to provide.”
When asked what he would contribute if elected, Puri replied, “I would seek to speak with members of the community to collect their thoughts and feedback. Addressing their comments and concerns would always be of the most importance.”
Library Budget And Trustee Election
Whoever gets the most votes will fill the five-year trustee position commencing on July 1 to June 30, 2024. This is an opportunity to hear what each candidate has to offer as well as how they would handle the responsibilities associated with the board position.
The Meet The Candidates program hosted by the Manhasset-Port Washington League of Women’s Voter carries out their mission of encouraging informed and active participation in government, the League of Women Voters continues to be key sponsors of candidate debates and forums. Last year, the Manhasset Public Library Trustee Election was settled by one vote. Every vote counts in this election.
In order to cast a vote for the Manhasset Public Library budget and trustee election, you must be a resident of the Manhasset School District, a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age and have been registered in Nassau County Board of Elections.
Absentee ballots are available in the library and online at www.manhasset
library.org/site/wp-content/uploads/Absentee-Ballot-Instructions-and-Application-2019.pdf.
