Candidates for the APL Board of Trustees 2009 Election
Candidates are listed in the order that their names will appear on the May 19th ballot. All information was provided by the candidates.
John Cirrin
Address: 532 Madison Avenue, Albany, 12208
Occupation, Special Skills: I recently retired after a 30 year career at Albany Public Library. As Albany Public Library public information officer, I worked closely with the Board of Trustees to improve the library. I have worked closely with the staff in all APL departments and locations and have detailed knowledge of the daily operations of the library.
Biographical Statement: As a spokesperson for APL, I was the primary contact for television, radio, and the press. My extensive outreach work has established close ties with the community. I have spoken about APL at many neighborhood associations and community organizations, and have produced a wide variety of community programming.
I have been active in free speech and right to privacy initiatives, and I organize the local American Library Association’s Banned Books Week observance. I also established and managed a public access cable television facility that was once located at the Main Library. I am a board member of the Capital Region Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union, and I am a candidate for the statewide board of the NYCLU. I am a member of Historic Albany Foundation and Albany Center Gallery, and I am an active volunteer for these organizations.
Why are You Running for Library Trustee? It is essential that APL’s Board of Trustees, as elected officials, be diligent in maintaining an open process in their operations. It is also of paramount importance that APL, as a public library, be responsive to public needs. I will work to keep these concerns at the forefront. I want to further integrate Albany Public Library into the fabric of our community.
Jose Lopez
Address: 40 B View Avenue, Albany, 12209
Occupation, Special Skills: I have worked in Albany, NY, since late 1990s. Many maintenance jobs with many companies. I have worked for Channel 10 for five years and the same time work in Memorial Hospital. Now for four years I am working in New Visions as an assistant teacher in Slingerlands, NY, with persons of different disabilities.
Biographical Statement: I went to PS 65, Morris High School, both in the Bronx, NY, Learning Center and EOC, both in Albany. I was born in the Bronx, NY. At one-year-old I moved back to Puerto Rico with my mother. At nine-years-old I moved back to the Bronx with my family. In 1987 me and my family moved to Albany, NY. I have helped many organizations in the Capital District, like PETA. I am a member of the Capital Local Organization Committee and many others. I have helped many political campaigns. Two for mayor in 2005 and two for governor in 2006 and 2008. Senate race in 2008 for the 21st Congressional race. I was a volunteer for President Barack Obama. In April 2008 I went to help in Scranton, PA, for the primary. I am to activist that fights injustice. I was a candidate for 4th Legislative District. I won the primary in 2007. I live for 12 years at 41 North Manning Boulevard Apartment 2 with my four pit bulls, Nicky, Cobra, Viper, Pathona. Three died there in their rooms. Now I live with my mother, brother, and my dog at 40 B View Avenue.
Why are You Running for Library Trustee? I believe the Albany Public Library is very important for our community and every community, local, and national. I myself have been doing discussion groups since the 1990s, like green and people discussion groups. Since 2007-2009 been doing education show in the library with caimans, alligators, and crocodiles and a support group. I run for the library trustee in 2007-2008 and I lost. I own and have licenses for crocodiles. I have been in different newspapers for my crocodiles and the library, and in radio. I was an applicant in 2007 for the Gun Violence Task Force. I will work with the board. But I will speak against the board if I have to do that.
Esther Patterson
Address: 27 Grandview Terrace, Albany, 12202
Occupation, Special Skills: Independent consultant, facilitator, and mediator
Biographical Statement: Originally a native of Brooklyn, New York I have lived in the city of Albany for 18 years. I am first a parent. I have been an active member of the PTA for many years and I know the needs of many of Albany’s youth and their parents. Children, books and music are my passions. I believe that if one introduces a child to a book and the love of reading one helps to create a critical, compassionate thinker. I am a former community health educator, who created a successful teen peer education program that produced some of the city’s best residents. I have worked with young people most of my professional career. I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology. I worked part time for over 13 years with pregnant and parenting teens often introducing the library to them as a place of safety. I have coached (and/or coaxed) over 50 babies into the world. I have provided educational workshops and seminars to both public and private schools, and many community agencies.
Why are You Running for Library Trustee? I am a life long devotee, and champion of the library. I know, firsthand, the value of a library to any community. I am running for a seat on the Albany Public Library’s Board of Trustees because I believe that the community at large underutilizes our public libraries. I would like to work with the current Board of Trustees on the planned revitalization of existing libraries and the building of the new. I’m certain that as a member of the Library Board of Trustees, I can help people get excited about the idea of new libraries in their neighborhoods. I am an activist and an advocate. I would love to see our libraries operating at their maximum potential, and our librarians recognized as the remarkable resources that they are. I envision a library in partnership with the community: open to ideas from the community; accessible and welcoming to everyone. I would like every resident of the city to think of the public libraries as their library.
Andrew Bechard
Address: 27 Forest Avenue, Albany, 12208
Occupation, Special Skills: Attorney, specialization in state and local government law
Biographical Statement: Andrew was appointed as an Albany Public Library trustee in October 2008 and serves as the chair of the Library Facilities and Construction Committee. Andrew provides oversight on administration of a $29.1 million Branch Improvement Plan and other APL construction projects. As a committed community advocate, Andrew is a former member of the Melrose Neighborhood Association and the Albany Civic Agenda, and is a current member of the Helderberg Neighborhood Association and CANA (Council of Albany Neighborhood Associations). Working with the homeless and veterans is a priority for Andrew, and he has volunteered for the past 19 years with the Albany Housing Coalition, a neighborhood preservation company providing housing services in Arbor Hill, West Hill, North Albany, and the South End. Andrew is a 21 year Albany resident with professional legal experience working first for the New York State Legislature, then as an assistant county attorney and now for a New York State agency (Office for Technology). Andrew is a University at Buffalo Law School graduate and has been admitted to the bar in New York and New Jersey.
Why are You Running for Library Trustee? The Albany Public Library is in the midst of a $29.1 million branch construction program and Andrew has 15 years experience providing counsel on several multi-million dollar public projects. Andrew will ask the right questions and has the management skills to ensure Albany taxpayers get maximum return for their tax dollars.
Lois Parsons
Address: 317 Hudson Avenue, Albany, 12210
Occupation, Special Skills: Past secretary for the Capital Hill Architectural Corporation, nurse, fundraising for neighborhood associations and my church
Biographical Statement: I am a long time Albany resident and a Democratic committeeperson. This has given me understanding of families and their needs. My work with my church has been vital in my life.
Why are You Running for Library Trustee?I believe that I can help people appreciate all the good things the library offers and help them connect with it. I want the black churches in the community to work with the library more than they do now. I want to keep an eye on the new buildings and renovation of branches, to be sure taxpayer money is being spent wisely and efficiently. I would like to continue as a trustee, working hard to serve the APL and the public.
Roberta Sims
Address: 295 Sheridan Avenue #2, Albany, 12206
Occupation, Special Skills: During the past 10 years in the Capital Region, I have volunteered in many schools libraries and interned in the NYS Assembly for the chair of the Library Committee. I am a recent graduate from Empire State College with an earned bachelor of science degree in business, mathematics, and economics. I plan to put my customer service experience to good use as a liaison for the citizens of Albany to better understand the mission of the Albany Public Libraries: Educates, Entertains and Empowers. I also plan to use my formal education and other volunteer interests to work with the other trustee members to keep the Albany Public Library system a strong center for our communities.
Biographical Statement: I am a library kid. My aunt was the school librarian in Rotterdam, NY, until her retirement. As a young girl, I probably told her I wanted to be a nurse so the first hard cover biography I owned was Clara Barton: Soldier of Mercy. My first teenaged job was as the after hours librarian at the now closed Schenectady branch library on Guilderland Avenue where my mathematical skills played an important role with the Dewey Decimal system.
My formal education was on hold for many years while working for Delta Airlines and parenting two sons. For those years, I was an involved tenant and community committee person and leading member of many school organizations. When I returned to college 40 years later, I thought I would become a librarian but as a trustee that will wait while I learn the inner workings of this library system. As a past educator with elementary students, I have a love for education that includes all levels of learning and will continue as I begin a masters’ program this fall concentrating on public administration.
Why are You Running for Library Trustee? I am running for a seat on the Albany Public Library Board of Trustees to be involved with the citizens of this city at every age level. I want to help enrich the lives of our communities at a modest cost. Our libraries should be a place where people can come together and continue to grow.
Holly McKenna
Address: 31 Van Schoick Avenue, Albany, 12208
Occupation, Special Skills: I teach journalism at the University at Albany and write for a variety of media outlets, including Reuters and the New York Times. In addition, I serve as the secretary on the St. Teresa of Avila school board and a board member of the school’s Parent School Association.
Biographical Statement: I've lived in Albany for 15 years, having moved here to continue my career in journalism, and raise my family in the New Scotland Avenue neighborhood. I am committed to the city and our neighborhoods, and have served the community on the school board at St. Teresa of Avila, where each of my children attended school. I am on the school's Parent School Association and a homeroom parent and parent moderator of the school newspaper, the "Gator Gazette." I am also active at St. Teresa of Avila Church.
I continue writing for several major news organizations, including the NY Times and Reuters, and am currently researching and writing my own books, while also teaching journalism at UAlbany, where I strive to share my enthusiasm for writing and learning with college students.
I earned my degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee (Knoxville) and am currently working towards my master's degree in communication at UAlbany.
My husband, Chris, and I have four children who will attend School 19, Albany High School, LaSalle Institute and the University of Vermont in the fall.
Why are You Running for Library Trustee? The Albany Public Library has been an invaluable resource both to my family and me. As a parent, avid reader, and enthusiastic supporter of learning and education, I am a regular "customer" of the Albany Public Library, and use its services on an almost weekly basis. I appreciate the vast diversity of books, movies, DVDs, activities, and resources that are available to families through our library.
To me, the Albany Public Library is a community resource that provides a welcome environment for learning and sharing. I would like to see even more families, groups and organizations take advantage of this resource.
Kathleen Carrigan Chant
Address: 187 Ormond Street, Albany, 12208
Occupation, Special Skills: I retired from the City School District of Albany in 2006 after a 35 year career as an educator. I continue to work part time as a substitute teacher in the city middle schools.
Biographical Statement: As a long time resident of Albany, I have taken many opportunities to involve myself in the life of our community. During my teaching career and when my children attended city schools, I assumed leadership roles in PTA organizations as well as cultural organizations such as the Friends of the Berkshire Ballet. I was elected to two terms as the president of the Parish Council of the Church of St. Vincent de Paul where I also served o the Education Committee and volunteered as a catechist for 12 years. I served in many offices of the Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club including that of president, and was awarded their Distinguished Service Award in 1988. For the past 25 years, I have been the volunteer director for Freihofer's Run for Women. I was active in the Manning Boulevard Neighborhood Association for 20 years, and have recently become active in the newly formed Buckingham Pond Conservancy. Participation in a book club is high on the list of hobbies I enjoy.
Why are You Running for Library Trustee? As an avid and lifelong library user, I have a longstanding appreciation of the role the library plays in a community. As a library patron, I would enjoy being in a position to advocate for the continuation of excellent library facilities, services, and programs, all of which add to the quality of life for the residents of Albany. As a taxpayer, I recognize the need for fiscal responsibility in the budgetary process and in the oversight of operating costs and allocation of resources.
Years ago, when the Pine Hills Library had to vacate its home on Madison Avenue, the library board at that time was not committed to replacing that branch and the Friends of the Pine Hills Library was formed. Adamant that our neighborhood needed a branch library, I joined that committee. We attended several library board meetings to promote our cause and to convince the board to make a Pine Hills library branch a priority resulting in the acquisition of the building on Western Avenue that is presently being renovated.