MAILBAG: Our Library Election Deserves Transparency And Trust

To The Editor,

In a community where families care deeply about education, growth, and shared responsibility, our public institutions matter. Among them, the Finkelstein Memorial Library stands out as more than just a building with books. It is a publicly funded resource meant to serve everyone, reflect community values, and operate with integrity.

That is what motivated me to run for trustee this year.

I entered the race with a simple belief: our library, like any public institution, should be transparent, accountable, and responsive to the people it serves. When I began the process, the library publicly indicated that two trustee seats would be open in the upcoming election. Based on that information, I worked closely with Ariel Dahan, investing significant time and effort to do things properly. We gathered signatures, engaged with residents, and prepared to present our vision for the future of the library.

Then, just weeks before the election, that changed.

The library announced that only one seat would be open, stating that a previously vacated position would remain filled by an interim trustee for the remainder of the term. While this may sound like a technical adjustment, it raises serious concerns about process, fairness, and public trust.

At minimum, such a late change limits the public’s opportunity for representation. More importantly, it raises questions about whether this decision aligns with New York State law governing trustee vacancies and elections. When rules appear to shift midstream, especially in something as fundamental as an election, it is reasonable for the public to ask why.

This is not about any one candidate or any one seat. It is about something broader: the expectation that public institutions operate openly, follow clear rules, and treat their voters with respect.

The Finkelstein Memorial Library is a publicly funded institution that has repeatedly sought increased budget allocations from taxpayers. That is its right. But with public funding comes public responsibility. Transparency and accountability are not optional — they are the foundation of public trust.

Trust is especially important in a diverse community like ours, where many groups rely on shared institutions in different ways. Whether you regularly use the library or not, you have a stake in how it is governed. When decisions affecting an election are made without clear and consistent explanation, it does more than alter a ballot — it risks eroding confidence.

I am therefore calling for three simple steps:
A clear and transparent explanation for why the number of open seats changed;
Confirmation that all actions comply fully with New York State law;
And a renewed commitment to openness in both governance and financial matters.

These are not controversial demands. They are basic expectations.

This moment presents an opportunity not just to address a procedural question, but to reaffirm a standard. The communities served by the Finkelstein Memorial Library deserve an institution that is not only effective, but also lawful, trustworthy, and fair.

I remain committed to that goal.

Sincerely,
Moshe Dear
Pomona

For more background on this issue: Finkelstein Library Trustee Candidate Files Legal Challenge Over Election Dispute