Fire districts in the Five Towns and surrounding areas will hold fire commissioner elections on Dec. 10.
Fire districts are political entities that provide fire protection and emergency response. They have an elected governing body, administrative officers and control the budget .
These districts can incur indebtedness and to require the levy of taxes.
Atlantic Beach Fire Rescue
Nathan Etrog is running unopposed for re-election.
Etrog has served for two-terms and has been a member of fire rescue for 25 years. He also serves as a village trustee and chairman of the Park Commission and captain of the Water Rescue Team.
“It’s really ensuring a job that has always been and ensuring that the taxpayer dollars that we collect as public officials to really ensure they have the best fire protection and emergency medical services available,” Etrog added.
Voting will be at Atlantic Beach Fire Rescue, 1 Rescue Road, Atlantic Beach, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Hewlett Bay Fire District
Incumbent Dan Weisner is seeking re-election to the Hewlett Bay Fire District board, citing his 25 years of service and 46 years as a volunteer firefighter.
Weisner is running unopposed for the five-year term.
“I have the experience necessary to represent the taxpayers in order to maintain the Fire District so as to meet its fire safety and emergency needs of the fire district residents, merchants, and visitors,” Weisner wrote in an email.
Voting will be at Hewlett Fire Department, 25 Franklin Ave., Hewlett, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Inwood Fire District
Vincent Castagna is running unopposed for re-election.
As of press time, Castagna did not respond to calls.
Residents can also vote on the proposed purchase of a new engine.
Voting is at the Inwood firehouse at 188 Doughty Boulevard, Inwood, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Meadowmere Park Fire District
Jennifer Carrero, six-year president for the Ladies Auxiliary and Juniors Program seeks a five-year commissioner position, unopposed.
With 19 years of teaching experience, she believes her skills make her well suited for the role, she wrote in an email.
“I know what it takes to help lead, organize and be part of organizations,” Carrero wrote.
Voting will be at the Meadowmere Fire House at 14 Meyer Ave., Lawrence from 6 to 9 p.m.
North Lawrence Fire District
Pinchas Faska is running for re-election unopposed.
The North Lawrence resident has served since a 2021 special election, to replace Eliezer “Eli” Geffen.
Faska is a former Air Force member and currently president of Bais Medrash of North Lawrence.
He also served as Boy Scouts Troop 84 leader and is an Eagle Scout.
As of press time, Faska was out of the country and did not respond to a request for comment.
Woodmere Fire District
Three candidates are competing for the five-year Woodmere Fire District commissioner position.
Ronna Rubenstein, the incumbent, is an accountant who has served as an EMT for about six years. She has helped secured grant funding for ambulances and implemented safety enhancements like flashing apparatus warnings at the firehouse, as commissioner.
“I want to keep being there for the that’s not even just the community, but being there for the firefighters,” Rubenstein said.
Darren Moritz, a 13-year Woodmere Fire Department member, with 25 years of financial experience and law enforcement background, plans to focus on recruitment if elected.
“I want to give back,” Moritz said. “I did a lot during Sandy when I first joined and it made me feel really good, helping my community.”
Deborah Kaminetzky-Oberstein, a technology project manager and former attorney, sees this as a volunteer opportunity inspired by her husband’s firefighting experience.
“I’ve got the project management experience, the legal experience, and that helps with things like negotiating contracts, doing requests for information,” Kaminetzky-Oberstein said.
Voting is at the Woodmere Fire House, 20 Irving Place, Woodmere, from 6 to 9 p.m.
