By: Jeff Lipton
In the Hewlett Bay Fire District race, Paul Gressin, 61, commissioner on and off for 17 years, is facing a challenge from newcomer Andrew Sellino, 41.
In the Woodmere Fire District, Woodmere Fire Department Captain David Stern is trying to unseat Richard Jankosky Jr., who is seeking re-election to a second five-year term.
There are five commissioners per district, each serving a five-year term, and there is one election per year on a rotating basis. Commissioners are responsible for setting the fire district's tax rate, purchasing equipment and training personnel as well as the administration of public funds. The position of fire commissioner is unpaid.
Gressin said he joined the Hewlett Fire Department when he was 18, and has been a lieutenant, captain, chief and commissioner. I've been an active firefighter and an active medic, said Gressin, who added that he has received several awards for saving lives. He said he has been elected commissioner on three prior occasions, while his opponent, Sellino, has never been involved in the fire department.
The fellow who is running against me has never shown any interest in fire service, said Gressin, adding that this is the first time he is being challenged for the post. The last contested election in Hewlett was four years ago, he said.
Gressin said the Hewlett Bay Fire District has the second-lowest tax rate among fire districts in Nassau County, at $1.99 per $100 of assessed valuation. And we're looking forward to reducing it further, he said, while maintaining the level of service to the community, which is one of the highest in the country and probably the highest in the state. The fire district has about 3,500 families. The Hewlett Fire Department has about 110 members.
Gressin said that the firehouse, at 25 Franklin Ave., was rebuilt about nine years ago, without taxpayers shouldering the burden of the $4 million project. We came in with the project on time and with a zero dollar cost overrun, he said.
But Sellino, a senior engineer for KeySpan, said more can be done for the fire district. He said he wants to keep the tax rate low while providing a valuable service to the community.
Sellino considers it a plus that he has no prior involvement with the fire district. I'm not a fireman, he said. I think I have an unbiased opinion. I'm not involved in existing politics. I have no hidden agenda. To keep the tax rate as low as possible is the reason why I'm running.
But Gressin called Sellino's decision to run a political one. Some try to invoke politics where they don't belong, Gressin said. His decision is more political than trying to meet the community's safety.
Gressin added, We've been able to give residents of the fire district a modern department with modern equipment, a low tax rate and one of the fastest response times. There's not much more that you can ask for from a fire department.
Sellino said, Recognizing that the volunteers are our most valuable asset, I would like to have the opportunity to explore and implement new benefits, to better train and offer enhanced incentives for the recruitment and retention of the volunteers. I wish to serve my community by continuing sound fiscal management, such as maintaining the current low fire district tax rate, providing the community with the finest fire protection service and preserving our volunteer fire department.
Sellino said he has 20 years of service at KeySpan Energy and, as a senior engineer, is responsible for a $5 million annual budget for major gas main installations.
Woodmere race
In the Woodmere Fire District, Stern, 29, said he's trying to become the first Orthodox Jewish commissioner in the 118-year history of the department. He said his main goal is to inject some fresh thinking into the department. He has served in the Woodmere Fire Department for nine years, including serving as captain for the past two years and a lieutenant for two years before that.
I'm looking to help bring some change to the department, Stern said. The fire department has done a good job protecting the community. But in the last five or six years, with 9/11 and terrorism, there's been an awakening in the fire services.
Training in 2003 is the way training has been done the last 100 years, and there needs to be some improvement, he said. We have to look at new ways of doing things.
I'm looking to create an environment where an enthusiastic and motivated individual [in the department] is supported in such a way where improvements can happen.
Stern added that in his time with the fire department, he has seen the number of Orthodox members grow from three to about 20. If he is elected the department's first Orthodox commissioner, he said, It's a novelty, but it doesn't matter if you are Orthodox or Christian or don't believe in God. He said the bottom line is helping people. I'm looking for ways to help the community.
Stern said that over the past few years, the number of members has grown to about 100. The last contested election in Woodmere was in 1996.
His opponent, Jankosky, the incumbent, did not return the Herald's calls.
Voting in both districts will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the firehouses. The Hewlett election will take place at 25 Franklin Ave. in Hewlett and the Woodmere election at 20 Irving Place in Woodmere. If you are a registered voter and serviced by either fire district, you can cast a ballot for commissioner.
In the Inwood Fire District, George Miller is running unopposed for a second five-year term as commissioner.
