Trustee Candidate's Education Claim Questioned

The stated educational background on the biography form of Andy Jarmolowski, one of two candidates who is seeking a 5-year term as a trustee at the cannot be verified.

Jarmolowski lists himself as having earned a bachelor’s degree in English in 1989 from Rutgers University. The university Registrar's Office, however, said its records indicate that he attended the school from June 1985 to December 1986 but its records do not show that he graduated.

Candidate Charles Rosner listed his educational background as graduating from Case Western Reserve University and then earning a master’s degree in 1962 from Harvard Business School. Harvard verified that Rosner earned an MBA.

Jarmolowski did not respond to email or phone attempts to discuss the matter.

Harriet Spitzer, president of the library board of trustees, said being a voter in the district and a resident are the only qualifications needed to run for library trustee, which is an unpaid, 5-year term. A college degree is not a requirement to serve on the library board. The person elected Tuesday will serve from July 1 through June 30, 2016, and will be one of five trustees.

The qualifications issue is troubling, though, she said. “We serve as trustees and that word is key,” Spitzer said. “It’s a big problem for Mr. Jarmolowski and a big problem for our voters. I hope, in knowing this, that they will make an informed decision.”

“I feel bad for the guy, that he felt he had to do this to get elected,” said Rosner, who is seeking his first full 5-year term. He was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Don Brosnan. “The trustees are responsible to the tax-paying public as fiduciary overseers and that’s an important role. You have to have the honesty and integrity the role demands.”

George Dobler, union president, told Patch to check with Jarmolowski, that he had no comment on Jarmolowski’s biography form. “We support him, our staff does, because the board is anti-worker and they’re all hand-picked by Harriet Spitzer. We support a candidate so we could have a say and get a fair share of listening.”

The library’s proposed 2011-12 budget is $8.67 million, with a tax rate increase of 71 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The largest share, $6,078,425, is slotted for salaries and benefits; $1,083,750 is to library services; $596,237 to library operations; $650,257 to maintenance; and $256,500 to insurance and rent.

Voting on the budget and trustee position is scheduled for Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the main library, 338 Main St.