By: EVAN NEMEROFF
Hewlett Bay and Woodmere only two districts with contested election
Fire District Board of Commissioners elections were held on Tuesday, Dec. 9, in the Five Towns. Out of all five districts in the area, Hewlett Bay and Woodmere were the only with contested elections.
Paul Gressin defeated Jonathan Morris, 83 to 56, to earn a five-year term as commissioner in Hewlett Bay. Gressin has been with the district for over 20 years. For the treasurer position, Benjamin Moleno ran unopposed to claim the three-year term.
District Clerk Vincent Carey was upset with the voter turnout for the election. "I am disappointed with the community response," Carey said. "Our budget this year is a little over $1.5 million, and we reduced it by 5.5 percent from last year's budget of $1.6 million because of the economy to help the community keep taxes low. I just wish that more of the community would have come out to support the effort of our firefighters."
In the Woodmere Fire District, David Stern earned his second term as commissioner, defeating Lee Antoville 214-70 for the five-year term.
Steven Cherson gets his first full five-year term with the Atlantic Beach Fire District by claiming all 60 votes in the unopposed election. Cherson served the remaining one-year of the unexpired term of Commissioner Robert Erdman, who retired and moved to Florida.
George Miller received 48 of the 49 votes cast to claim his third term as Inwood fire commissioner. Miller has more than 40 years experience working as a firefighter for the Inwood Fire Department and the Inwood fire district.
In the Meadowmere Park Fire District, Robert McFadden continues to serve as commissioner as he ran unopposed. McFadden has been working as a firefighter for 50 years and this is his fourth term as a commissioner for the district. He received 51 votes.
"To have 51 people come out for an unopposed election is good for our community," said Ruth Samuelson, a four-term fire commissioner for Meadowmere Park Fire District." "On a cold, breezy night, people don't want to come out, so this number was surprising. To have Robert re-elected is very good because he is a thorough firefighter and is a good man who is pro fire district."
Comments on this story? ENemeroff@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
