Six candidates for the Addison Township Public Library Board of Trustees Thursday introduced themselves to the public and answered questions as to why voters should choose them in the Nov. 2 election.
Hosted by the Friends of the Addison Township Public Library, the candidate night featured incumbent board members Nina Ciccolini, Jerald Thomas, Richard Feuerbach and Paul Woodring, and newcomers Sandra Craddock and Susan James.
Candidate Esther Reynolds was unable to attend as she was out of town, however a written statement she prepared was read during the forum. Candidate Karen Koski declined to participate in the event.
All six four-year seats on the library board are up for election this year.
Here’s what the candidates had to say ?
Nina Ciccolini
Ciccolini, an Addison resident since 1998, is currently serving as president of the library board, which she was elected to in 2000. She works in the fields of marketing, advertising, special events and public relations.
Ciccolini is seeking re-election in order ‘to continue to actively contribute to my community? and ‘further promote and develop a new library? for Addison.
‘The library has always been an important part of my life. Because of the influence it had on my young adult life, I would like to ensure our community has the ability to offer our young people ? and the grown-ups too ? the resources, the programs and the sense of community I grew up with.?
Ciccolini noted she has ‘almost perfect meeting attendance? at library board meetings, missing only one in the last four years. ‘I have been involved in every project and program the library board has undertaken in the past four years in some capacity without fail,? she said. ‘I would expect my involvement to be the same or better over the next four years.?
Ciccolini definitely supports building a new public library for Addison having ‘been involved in the project since the beginning.?
‘I would like to see the Addison Township Public Library grow as the community grows and be prepared to meet the needs of future generations.?
Sandra Craddock
Born in Davison and raised in Flint, Sandra Craddock now calls Addison home and wishes to serve her community on the library board of trustees.
Over the years, Craddock has volunteered her time with 16 different civic and religious organizations in Flint, Southfield, Lake Orion, Troy and Detroit.
‘I have been a volunteer most of my life, as far back as I can remember,? she said. ‘Even in elementary school if the teacher said, ‘Who will…?, my hand was up . . . The most valuable thing I have to give is my time.?
‘I have a lot of experience working with small groups and having to get the job done through them,? Craddock noted.
Craddock said she’s running for library board because of her ‘love for reading and books,? and her ‘desire to promote the value of libraries.?
Libraries provide young people with personal and social interactions with others, something they don’t receive from television and films, according to her.
Regarding the Addison’s proposed new library, Craddock said, ‘I liked what I saw? when she viewed the facility’s plans and model.
Richard Feuerbach
An Addison resident for 10 years, Richard Feuerbach has served on the library board since his election in November 2002.
Feuerbach, 73, said he’s been involved in the new library project ‘right from the beginning? ? from the needs assessment to architect selection to the proposed plan ? and wants to ‘see this thing through.?
‘I want to see the new library built and prospering,? he said.
‘We gotta have a new library,? said Feuerbach, citing Addison’s continuing population growth as one of the chief reasons. ‘We have 1,300 square feet now (in the current library). We should have 6,200 (square feet).?
‘I’ve got neighbors who say our library is a joke (because of its size, selection and resources),? he said. ‘There’s nothing there for them. They go to Oxford. We don’t need that. We need them here.?
Susan James
An Addison resident for 6? years, Susan James is an active library user, participating in all of its reading programs and averaging 20 to 30 books a week.
James said she’s been interested in serving on the library board since interviewing for an open seat three years ago. ‘Obviously, I did not get appointed to the position, but (I) have remained very active by participating in all meetings and committees involved in the development of the new library proposal,? she said.
James said she’s ‘very familiar? with the proposed new library having been a member of the needs assessment study in 2002, architect selection committee, library communications committee and library site selection committee.
‘I have not missed a single committee meeting,? said James, adding she’s also personally visited multiple libraries throughout Michigan along with numerous potential sites for the new Addison library ? visits which were not required of committee members.
As for the proposed new library, James said she has ‘grown to love? it. ‘It is going to be spectacular. A place people will want to be at and meet at,? she said.
Jerald Thomas
Jerald Thomas wishes to continue serving on the library board so he’ll ‘have a better chance of doing something meaningful and lasting for the children and seniors of this community.?
Appointed to the library board in June 2002, Thomas said his reason for accepting the position ‘was to work for a new library.?
Thomas said he’s helped ‘accelerate that process? and ‘worked as a liaison with the Friends (of the Addison Township Public Library) to solicit their valuable support.?
‘I feel we are very close to bringing a new library proposal to (the) ballot that will be acceptable to the majority of the community,? he said.
Thomas said he views the library as ‘not just a place to take out a book,? but ‘a place that stimulates community spirit.?
‘It should be large enough to accomodate community events. It needs to serve not just the individual’s needs, but also those of the community as a whole,? he said.
To those who questions why a ‘large, modern library is needed when ‘we have knowledge at our fingertips through our computers,? Thomas said, ‘Knowledge, yes ? if you have a computer and online access (and not everyone does). But community spirit and cooperation cannot be achieved, I believe, without personal face-to-face interaction.?
Paul Woodring
A full-time Addison resident since 1999 and township property owner since 1980, Paul Woodring is hoping to retain his seat on the library board because ‘I think I have something to offer.?
Woodring, who was appointed to the board in May 2003, believes he has the ‘background and experience needed to help the library in this period of anticipated growth.?
For 12 years, Woodring served as the Business Manager/Assistant Superintendent (for Business and Finance) for Clintondale Schools. He spent a total of 17 years in school administration. Woodring was then appointed Chief Deputy Treasurer for Macomb County, a position he held for seven years.
‘The finance area was my life blood for many years,? he said.
Woodring also served on various boards including the Chippewa Valley Board of Education and Clinton Township’s planning commission (which he chaired) and Zoning Board of Appeals.
The candidate supports the proposed new library project. ‘I think we all, or most of us, want something different next door. We don’t want that building,? he said. ‘We think it’s important that we move on. We provide something much better for this community. I think the community deserves it. I think we will have to work hard to get it.?
Woodring said he believes a ‘grassroots? effort consisting of library board members, the Library Friends group and others can promote a successful campaign for a new library. ‘If we look hard enough, we can find a great group to do it,? he said.
Esther Reynolds
A Leonard resident since March 1995, Esther Reynolds is seeking a seat on the library board because ‘I have loved the library my whole life.?
‘As a young child some of my best memories are of the Hazel Park Library, along with the knowledge and adventure those books brought to me,? she said in a written statement.
Reynolds stated she definitely sees the need for a new library in Addison. ‘I am a frequent flyer at the Addison Township Library and see the conditions they work in; overcrowded shelves and the leaking of the roof,? she stated. ‘Despite these conditions, the librarians are always extremely friendly and helpful.?
‘I would like to work with the community and the librarians to improve these conditions, enabling the librarians to provide the services necessary to the community along with the resources,? Reynolds stated. ‘Our community is growing everyday. Along with the growth, the demand for library services will increase . . .I promise that I will work hard for Addison Township to ensure that we meet the needs of our future.?