Incumbent, challenger elected to N. Merrick Library board

Incumbent Bill Pezzulo and newcomer Carol Anthony were voted onto the North Merrick Library Board of Trustees on June 13.

They were two of four candidates vying for two seats on the board. The first seat belonged to Pezzulo, a current board trustee who was running for re-election. By receiving the most number of votes, he was awarded a second five-year term.

“It is with a sense of pride that I thank my friends and fellow library patrons for your support in Monday’s Trustee election,” said Pezzulo. “I have spent many years in North Merrick, supporting education and its children whenever I can. I look forward to seeing you at our board meetings and listening to your ideas.”

Carol Anthony won the second seat, defeating fellow challenger Matthew Kuschner by nine votes. She takes the place of former trustee Elise Johnson, who recently resigned. Anthony will complete the final year of the five-year term that was vacated by Johnson.

“I’m very excited and honored to be a part of this group,” Anthony said. “ I’m also very grateful to my North Merrick neighbors for giving me this opportunity to be their advocate. My hope is to walk the walk that will truly strengthen the library’s relationships with the local community.

“It’s more than replacing bookshelves with digital tablets, blogger stations, mashup consoles, live webcasts or the next cloud,” Anthony continued. “It’s about creating a culture that supports and sustains meaningful conversations, problem solving and even innovation —whatever form that takes.   And by the way, it’s a future that will pay for itself.”   

In total, Pezzulo received 95 votes; Anthony, 79; Kuschner, 70; and Alice Cammiso, 49.