BATAVIA – Since there is no tax increase for the Richmond Memorial Library to vote on, there is no vote on the budget – only the election of the trustee for a vacant seat on the library board.
Voting will take place on May 6th, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm in the library at 19 Ross Street
Batavia City School District residents who are United States citizens, 18 years of age or older and registered voters can vote.
The two candidates for this seat are Odilia Coffta and Catrina “Cat” Lasher.
Coffta is the data administrator for the New York State Migrant Education Program.
“As a mother of two young girls, ages 5 and 10 weeks, I frequent the library and take advantage of all of the great books, materials, and activities available in the children’s section,” she said. “I am originally from Guatemala and have a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. I want to join the board because I believe libraries are a great resource for the community. I love the library and want to serve and support it as best as possible. “
Lasher, birthday party and special events coordinator at the Batavia YMCA, said she moved to New York eight years ago after growing up in Northern California.
“I’m the mother of two children, ages 7 and 4, who keep me busy – taking them to hockey, dance, and piano, and volunteering at their schools,” she said. “I am a returning adult student at SUNY Empire College in the Community and Human Services department. In the past, I’ve coordinated a chapter for the Free Forest School in Genesee County and led Batavia’s Buy Nothing group. “
Libraries have been an important resource for her since childhood, Lasher said.
“I want to become a library trustee because I believe libraries support strong communities. As a library trustee, one of my top priorities would be to promote access and inclusivity for all community members regardless of race, gender, orientation, age, socioeconomic status or ability, ”she said.
Applications for postal ballot papers are available in the library. If the voting slip is to be delivered to the voter in person, the library can receive the application by 5:00 p.m. on Monday.
For the second year in a row, the library has created a budget that does not require a $ 1,359,604 tax levy increase, the library said.
Prior to fiscal 2020-21, despite a 7 percent increase in the minimum wage, fluctuating health insurance costs, and a larger 2 percent per year below the legal tax cap and national inflation rate, tax increases have kept New York’s pension obligation, library officials said.
The library’s budget newsletter is fully available at batavialibrary.org or in the library.
The Richmond Memorial Library provides ongoing access to physical and virtual resources and services that meet the educational, information and recreational needs of its diverse community in a safe and comfortable environment. The library’s roots go back to 1804.
The library is now regularly open for limited services, including browsing and checking out materials, limited computer use, photocopying, faxing, and holding materials.
Library officials ask visitors to follow all signs and guidelines when entering the building. Information on upcoming programs can be found at batavialibrary.org.