Ellen Smithberg is our new library board member

Smithberg with her husband, Ken Margolis, and son, Alex Margolis, on election night.
Friday, May 20, 2011
by Christine Yeres

The four-way race for the Chappaqua Library board position was too close to call on election night, but by 6:00 p.m. Wednesday the 21 votes submitted by affidavit had been verified, and District Clerk Theresa Markley announced Ellen Smithberg as the winning candidate for the five-year position.  The library’s $2,766,724 budget passed by about 300 more “Yes” votes than last year’s.

Reached Thursday, Smithberg said, “I look forward to serving on the Chappaqua Library Board , and finding new ways for the library to serve our community.”

Vote Count

Payne: 348
Travagliato: 266
Smithberg: 465
Golub 438

 

The Vote Count on the $2,766,724 Library Budget

Yes 1512 (Last year: 1191 Yes)
No   535 (Last year:  587 No)

Smithberg’s statement from the New Castle League of Women Voters’ “Voters Guide” is reprinted below:
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Ellen Smithberg

Occupation:  Attorney
Education:  New York University Law School; Vassar College; Hunter College High School.
Interests/Community Involvement: Served on board of the Chappaqua Children’s Workshop; helped fundraise for the battered women’s shelter with adult pottery class at the town art center; run every year in the Chappaqua 10K race.
No. of Years Lived in District:  21
How often do you use the library: bi-weekly
No. of Library Board meetings you have attended in last 2 years: none

(1) What experiences and skills do you have that will enable you to be an effective member of the Library Board?

(1) I have been a lawyer for 30 years with the state, and am now retired, so I have time to devote to the board. I have been a regular user of the library for the past 20 years and am an avid reader.

(2) What do you consider the main issue(s) facing the Chappaqua Library and how would you address it (them)?

(2) The main issue facing the library is providing adequate services given current budget constraints. I would to explore ways to raise funds through possible contracting with food providers, and coordinating fundraising opportunities with the Friends of the Library.