Baldwin budgets pass; Clark, Taylor elected

Baldwin residents approved their school district and library budgets on May 18. They also choose to keep incumbent school board trustee Mary Clark, but voted out Carl Williams and elected Kim Taylor.

A total of 1,483 residents voted in favor of the $116.52 million school district budget, with 1,022 voting against. The $3.7 million library budget was approved with 1,550 votes. Nine hundred and twenty five residents voted against the spending plan.

Clark was re-elected with 1,022 votes and Taylor was elected with 965 votes. The other challengers were well supported: Jack McCloy received 555 votes, George Siberon got 453 votes, Gregory McGlynn got 722 votes, and Williams received 674.

Taylor, who wasn't on the original ballot (she applied after another candidate withdrew), said being elected to the school board was an honor. She attributed her victory to her volunteer team, which helped her run a relatively short but effective campaign on the issues.

"I am very excited to begin work as a board member and to serve my community," Taylor said. "Ultimately, I am committed to helping to create a school district that offers opportunities for the success of all its students."

Clark, who received the most voter support, said she had mixed feelings about the results of the election: on the one hand, she was re-elected; but she also was disappointed by the loss of Williams, whom she referred to as a "terrific board member." But Clark vowed that she and the other trustees would help Taylor get acclimated to school board business, as there is much work ahead of them.

"I am eager to get started," Clark said. "With dwindling state and federal money for next year, it's going to be tough and tough decisions will have to be made. I'm glad I can make a contribution in the decision-making process."

Incumbent library board trustee Christopher Villanti received 1,524 votes, the most cast by residents for either the budgets or candidates.

Comments about this story? MRusso@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.