By Mike Caputo
Ed Samuelson reclaimed a seat on Meadowmere Park Fire District's Board of Commissioners, after he squeaked by incumbent commissioner Andrew Schmitt by a tight vote count of 52 to 51.
"That is when you know a vote counts," said Ruth Samuelson, a four-term fire commissioner and wife of Ed Samuelson. "Everyone who came down to vote would be glad they did come down."
Ed Samuelson returns to the board after a two-year hiatus, when he lost his seat in 2005. He previously served two five-year terms as commissioner. There are three families represented on Meadowmere's Board of Commissioner's: The Schmitts, the McFaddens and the Samuelsons. After Ed Samuelson is sworn in during the January reorganization meeting, he will join his wife, Ruth, Andrew Schmitt Jr., Stephen McFadden and Robert McFadden on the board.
In the Inwood Fire District, Mark L. Rolon became the new commissioner after claiming all 75 votes in the uncontested race. Rolon, a former Inwood fire chief from 1997 to 1999, replaces former commissioner Thomas Lynch, who chose not to run for re-election.
Pat Tudda secured 47 of the 48 votes cast in the Hewlett Bay Fire District. Tudda, who ran unopposed, returns to the Hewlett Bay board for another five-year term. In the Woodmere Fire District's uncontested commissioner election, David Miller received all 59 votes. This will be Miller's second term as a Woodmere fire commissioner.
Jeffrey Trott earned his first full five-year term commissioner's seat in the Atlantic Beach Fire District. In 2006, Trott served a short one-year term after former commissioner Barry Kurtz retired and moved to Florida. Trott earned all 46 votes cast in the uncontested election. According to Arnold Geller, fire district secretary, Atlantic Beach's voter turnout was expected.
"In these types of elections, we usually get between about 40 and 50 votes," Geller said. "It was average."
Comments about this story? Mcaputo@liherald.com or 516-569-4000 ext. 210.
