1970-05-07

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Fm'lINODALB PUBLIC UBRAPV 274 WAIN ST. WB « ARY
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POWELL HOUSE 1700
FARMINGDALE OBSERVER
WHERE THE HISTORY OF YOUR COMMUNITY IS RECORDED WEEKLY
An Official Newspaper of The Incorporated Village of Farmingdale — Serving Greater Farmingdale, Bethpage and Melville
Vol. 7 No. 37 Second Class Postage has been paid at Farmingdale, N. Y. 11735 Thursday, May 7, 1970
VOTERS NIX THREE
LIBRARY PROPOSITIONS
District No. 22 residents voted a resounding ' no' to all three public
library propositions in balloting held on Wednesday by slightly more
than 3,000 voters who came to the polls.
Dr. Albert Meyerstein, who has served on the library board for six
years, also went down to defeat at the hands of Joseph C. Crocco by
the narrow margin of 1,569 to 1,456. The term is for five years.
The Farmingdale Public Library, has been operating on the same
amount of tax revenue since 1967 due to budget defeats each year,
which resulted in curtailed library hours and services.
Voters were given a wide choice of alternatives in Wednesday's
voting. Proposition I called for $ 410,000 expenditure for the present
curtailed library services. Voters nixed the proposition, 1826 to 1,492.
An additional figure of $ 60,000 to restore library services to regular
hours, appeared on Proposition 2 and was defeated by a 2,124 to 1,159
margin.
The choice to purchase the South Farmingdale building, at a
$ 250,000 figure also went down 2,031 to 1,213.
The Farmingdale Youth Council Board of Trustees who also chose
to hold their budget vote on the same date as the library budget, fared
better when their $ 137,205.80 budget was approved by 1,964 to 1,314
margin. The figure did not appear on the ballot.
Newly - elected Trustee Joseph Crocco, who will take office in July,
told The Observer, " I'm very surprised to have beaten an incumbent.
I hope I can serve the community to the very best of my ability".
When questioned about the library budget, Crocco said, " With the
present budget it is very difficult to run a library. My position is when
the library book fines and fees are used in the budget, and not in a
separate account, the budget will pass".
He also said that he favored the mezzanine in the S. Farmingdale
Branch Library, since space was necessary. He said that he was not
in favor of the purchase of the rented building at this time since it
could not be expanded and made larger. Years ago, it would have
been a good buy".
President Robert Callahan said that he was very disappointed in the
results. "$ 410,000 was a rock bottom figure to keep the library
operating on its presently reduced level. Unless we receive a sub­stantial
increase in tax appropriation, the subsequent cuts will have
to be much greater. I am also disappointed to lose Dr. Meyerstein as a
Board member. He has served the community so well for so many
years. His absence will be felt very deeply."
( Continued on Page 8)
Open House Attracts
41,000 At State U.
A record outpouring of 41,000,
who arrived in 60 buses, 1,030
cars and on foot, people from tots
to grandmothers found an
academic and festive setting as
the State University at Far­mingdale
held its 51st annual
Open House last Friday and
Saturday.
Besides the striking and
educational exhibits which
emphasized Farmingdale's
growth from an agrarian in­stitution
to one in technologies
extending to Aero Space. The
most impressive exhibits for the
younger element, was put on by
the Agriculture Depatment's
Cattle Club. Their farm show
drew crowds as cows stood
patiently while being milked by
the young, the sheep looked with
awe while they were being
( Continued on Page 8)
Patrolman Paul Galgan of the Nassau Police department assists V. F. W. Post
516 Commander Walter Wohlars in the placement of safety reflector stickers on
bicycle during the organization's Lite a Bike Safety program. Interested
youngsters looking on are 1. to r. Steve Barbato, Mike Grello, Benny Recine,
Steve Washington, Bryan Monroe. Standing ( r) is Enric Dauria, chairman ol the
committee. I'okrcss I'liutt)
TOP HONORS: Oyster Bay Town Councilman Edmund A. Ocker
presents a certificate of merit from the Town of Oyster Bay to Eagle
Scout James McKay, right, of Farmingdale in recognition of his
outstanding achievements in scouting. Proud parents, Mr. and Mrs.
James McKay look on at ceremonies held by the Farmingdale troop
recently.