Voting is taking place today in the Finkelstein Memorial Library election, where residents are being asked to elect one trustee to fill a vacant seat and vote on a proposed 4.5% tax increase for the library budget.

The candidates running for the trustee position are Joan Soskin, Marie Medgine Antoine, Moshe Dear, and Ariel Dahan.

In a notable development ahead of the election, candidate Moshe Dear issued a public letter to the community requesting that residents not vote for him and instead support Ariel Dahan. Dear explained that he entered the race believing there would be two open seats on the ballot and stated that he does not wish to split votes with only one seat available in this election. Dear also noted that although his name still appears on the ballot, voters should ignore it and cast their vote for Ariel Dahan.

Polls are open today, Tuesday, May 12, from 7:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m. Voting is taking place at the Finkelstein Memorial Library Fielding Room, located at 24 Chestnut Street in Spring Valley.

The election follows months of controversy and public debate surrounding the Finkelstein Memorial Library, including disputes over trustee positions, election procedures, budget concerns, and transparency issues that have drawn significant community attention throughout Rockland County.

For prior Monsey Scoop coverage:

• Finkelstein Memorial Library Board Approves 4.5% Tax Increase Amid Budget Process Concerns

• Finkelstein Library Trustee Candidate Files Legal Challenge Over Election Dispute

• Finkelstein Memorial Library Presents Proposed Budget Amid Transparency Concerns And Trustee Election Dispute

• NYS Commissioner Of Education Preserves Finkelstein Library Election Change Ahead Of Tuesday’s Vote; Moshe Dear Backs Ariel Dahan