by Cris Italia
"I wanted it to be a little closer, but this was a unique experience for me," DiCeglio said after taking part in the tightest race for fire commissioner in recent years. More than anything else, he was shocked at the extent of the involvement of the Republican party. "I didn't think they would get involved in smaller elections, but they came out and supported [Napoli] and divided the party," DiCeglio said.
In the past, DiCeglio has been a supporter of the Republican party, mostly in Rockville Centre, but this election has turned him off. "I was surprised with the politics involved, and even though I never had any involvement outwardly, I certainly won't have any at all from now on," he said.
After working tirelessly on his campaign, DiCeglio was emotionally spent. "I had to work and then leave to do more work," DiCeglio explained. "I neglected my family and my job."
He added that after an interview with the Herald, Fire Department Chief Kris Andoos made an open threat. "He told my fire captain, Gary Gelfman at the Southside Hose Company, that he would suspend me if I spoke to reporters again," DiCeglio confessed.
"The by-laws specifically state that firefighters are not permitted to talk on behalf of the department to the media without permission," he went on. "Apparently they are expanding that to pretty much not being able to talk to reporters at all." After the call, DiCeglio had his attorneys call Andoos to inform him that he was not breaching the by-laws in any way. "He had no right to tell me that I couldn't speak to the media," DiCeglio said.
Chief Andoos could not be reached for comment, but Fire District Attorney Steve Leiter was not aware of the incident. "This never ran by me, nor was I aware of it," Leiter said. "This is the first I've heard of it."
Leiter did, however, praise Napoli. "I hold him in the highest regard," Leiter said. "He really is the most qualified person, and certainly in this election. Nothing against the other guy, but Paul is like the creme de la creme as far as I'm concerned."
DiCeglio also charged that pressure from the Republican party resulted in the Sands Shopping Center's decision to take down his campaign signs.
Even in defeat, he says that all the work he put in was worth it. He is still undecided about running next year against incumbent Jay Tavalaro. "I'm not sure right now, but you never know," DiCeglio said. "I was shocked by the number of people who came out and voted and thankful for the amount of support I received."
He added that there are no hard feelings between Napoli and himself. "I called and congratulated him, and he sent his condolences," DiCeglio said. "For now I'm just going back to being a firefighter."
After the closest election in years, some insiders say this is the beginning of a new era in Oceanside. Leiter admits things have changed. "I think there are different ways today to reach the public that are more effective," he said. "And I think as a result you're going to get close elections in the future."
Commissioner Napoli was not available for comment.
