The Friends of the Addison Township Public Library is hosting a ‘Meet the Candidates? forum during the group’s annual meeting Thursday, Oct. 7 at the Addison Township Complex on Rochester Road.
Eight candidates seeking five seats on the Addison Township Public Library Board of Trustees in the Nov. 2 general election have been invited to participate in the public forum.
Friends President Claudia VonDrak said the event will offer Friends members and the general public an excellent opportunity to meet the candidates and find out what they stand for.
VonDrak said there are going to be ‘some pretty critical issues? facing the library and community ‘over the next couple of years.? Chief among these issues is the goal of constructing a new, larger library to better serve the community’s growing needs, she said.
‘The Friends is hoping to work closely with the library board on that proposal,? VonDrak said.
During the forum, each library board candidate will be given 5-to-10 minutes to address the crowd with answers to a set of six questions submitted to them in advance by the Friends.
VonDrak said a committee of Friends members in cooperation with Library Director Michelle ? ‘came up with some pretty excellent questions for the candidates.?
She said the questions will provide voters with a ‘good profile? of each candidate, giving them a ‘good feel for who they are and how they feel about the issues.? The questions submitted to each candidate are:
n ‘Why are you interested in serving on the Library Board and what are your qualifications and/or special skills??
n ‘What do you see as the role of the library in the community and what goals do you envision for the library in the next four years??
n ‘How much time are you able to devote to promoting these goals in addition to the required monthly meetings??
n ‘Are you willing to whole-heartedly support a proposal once it has been approved by the majority of the library board members, whether or not you cast a dissenting vote??
n ‘How familiar are you with the proposed new library project and what is your opinion of it??
n ‘What are your thoughts on the use of professional consultants in the upcoming millage/capital campaign??
Following the candidates? presentations, there will be a ‘social period? with light refreshments during which the public can meet and speak with the candidates on a ‘one-on-one? basis.
VonDrak stressed that the Friends will not be endorsing any library board candidates and this event is strictly for informational purposes.
Prior to the candidates forum, VonDrak said the Friends will briefly conduct the business of its annual meeting, which includes reports on the group’s finances and activities over the past year, plus the election of its 2005 officers.
‘We’re hoping to spend most of the meeting time with the candidates,? she said.