By Rory J. Thompson, R.V.C.F.D.
On Tuesday, April 1, the seven fire companies that comprise the fire department held their annual company meetings to elect new line officers for the year ahead. Then on Thursday, the volunteers convened again to vote for chiefs for 2003.
The new chief of department is Peter Stuyvesant of Eureka Hook and Ladder Company. Stuyvesant was formerly first assistant chief. The new first assistant chief is Peter Grandazza of Live Oak Engine Company. Grandazza had been second assistant chief for the past two years.
In a closely watched contest, three former fire department captains vied for the position of second assistant chief, which was won by Mike Lapkowski. A former captain of both Floodlight Rescue Company and Woodland Engine Company, Lapkowski is a lifelong village resident and a supervisor with the RVC Electric Department. Also elected to a new, two-year term was the department's representative to the 4th Battalion. He is Lou Milone, Jr., also a former captain with Floodlight Rescue Company.
The following are the new line officers and their respective companies:
Live Oak Engine Company #1:
Captain: Ron Kahan
1st Lieutenant: Mike Gibaldi
2nd: Lieutenant: Pete Scarinzi
Alert Engine Company #2:
Captain: Jim Takes
1st Lieutenant: Charlie Kee
2nd: Lieutenant: Matt Lindsey
Woodland Engine Company #4:
Captain: Chris Lane
1st Lieutenant: Mike Castan
2nd: Lieutenant: Vinny Mirando
Defender Hose Company #1:
Captain: Jim Avondet, Jr.
1st Lieutenant: Tom Montemarano
2nd: Lieutenant: Mike Lagudi
Reliance Hose Company #3:
Captain: Scott Mohr
1st Lieutenant: John Glynn
2nd: Lieutenant: Ken Formes
Floodlight Rescue Company #1:
Captain: Jay Neitz
1st Lieutenant: Kevin Creegan
2nd: Lieutenant: Jeff Goodstein
Eureka Hook, Ladder and Bucket Co. #1:
Captain: John Thorp
1st Lieutenant: Sean Russell
2nd: Lieutenant: John Griffin
The new chiefs and line officers will be sworn in at the Fire Council's next meeting on Tuesday, April 15.
