By JOSEPH KELLARD
Of the 907 votes cast on Tuesday, Dec. 11, DeBaun received 679 to challenger Mitch Krasnoff's 228. After polls closed at 9 p.m. and the winner was determined minutes later, DeBaun was sworn in to serve his fifth five-year term.
"I think the support of the community and the support from the fire department proves that doing a good job will prevail," DeBaun said about his victory by a considerable margin.
DeBaun, 50, owner/director of Camp DeBaun in Oceanside, has served with the OFD for 28 years. In part, his campaign ran on the accomplishments the department achieved during his years as commissioner, from the building of the new maintenance facility at Fireman's Field on Mott St.--featuring an in-house repair shop for fire apparatus--and the maintenance of low Insurance Service Organization (ISO) ratings, which ultimately lead to low homeowners' fire insurance rates.
"We've had tremendous growth in the department, in so far as modernizing and updating our equipment and building facilities is concerned," DeBaun said the day after the election. "I look to continue bringing in new volunteers into the department and keeping long-time volunteers, and to improving safety. We need firemen to know that every single detail goes toward protecting them."
Krasnoff, 50, a 10-year member of the OFD and an ex-Chief with Rescue Co. 1, wasn't discouraged by the outcome in his first run for commissionership.
"Even though I lost an election, I still feel like a winner," Krasnoff said. "It was like David going up against Goliath. I feel like I ran a good campaign, a clean campaign, and an honest campaign. Hopefully, I opened up many eyes to certain problems."
Krasnoff added that his 228 votes was "a descent showing" against a "formidable" opponent such as DeBaun.
"He was a formidable opponent because not only has he been a good commissioner in the past, the DeBaun family is one of the most charitable and giving families on all of Long Island," Krasnoff explained.
Krasnoff said he is seriously considering running again next year, when the seat of one-term commissioner Paul Napoli is up for election.
"There are still a lot of issues that have to be addressed, such as the department's use of the Emergency Medical system and the fiscal responsibility of the Board of Fire Commissioners to the community, which I ran on this year. And I'm willing to address them."
DeBaun's fifth term begins on January 1, 2002.
"I truly appreciate the support of the community, and I wish them a wonderful holiday season," he said.
