Five Towns has three contested fire district elections

Three contested fire district elections in the Five Towns are set to take place on Dec. 8. Voting in each district gets underway at 6 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m.

A fire district is established to provide fire protection and responses to emergencies. It is a political entity with an elected governing body, administrative officers and sets a budget. A fire district has the power both to incur indebtedness and to require the levy of taxes. It purchases the equipment the fire department needs. 

Woodmere

Incumbent Commissioner Israel Max is being challenged by Darren Moritz. Max was first elected in 2015 after defeating then Commissioner Erik Kinney and Moritz in the election that year. Max has also served in the fire department as a volunteer firefighter for roughly the past decade. He noted that he is running for re-election to continue to do what he thinks is right for his community and fellow firefighters.

“Over the last five years I have fought hard for our membership and community,” Max said. “I worked hard to secure a $100,000 grant for a new and much needed ambulance truck. I also financed new chief cars, fire engines and a new ladder truck.”

Max also pointed to a new legislation he advocated and helped write, which he took to State Sen. Todd Kaminsky. The measure allows volunteer firefighters to still be eligible for New York state’s length of service award program that serves as a pension fund for the firefighters despite the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Cuomo signed the bill in June.

“I helped put together a new legislation so that our membership and all other New York volunteer firefighters can be safe while still receiving their retirement benefits during this difficult time we are facing during the Covid pandemic,” he added.

Moritz has lived in Woodmere for the past decade and has worked with the fire department for the past nine years, serving in positions such as firehouse treasurer. Moritz currently works as an officer in the county’s sheriff’s department. He also worked in the finance field for 25 years and he believes that experience would make him a valuable member of the board of commissioners.

“I’ve run major departments in my finance career working for three major banks,” he said. “I believe that I bring a lot to the community in terms of helping save and reduce expenditures which is important now to our community especially now in these uncertain times.”

Increasing the membership of the department is another priority for Moritz if he is elected. “We need to get out there more and speak to kids in middle and high school,” he said. “We should also meet with all school administrators and possibly create a class that would teach and get kids excited about joining the fire department.”

Voting will take place at the Woodmere firehouse, at 20 Irving Place.

Meadowmere Park 

Two former commissioners Eddie Samuelson and Andrew Schmitt Jr. are running against each other to replace incumbent commissioner Andrew Schmitt Sr., who is stepping down.

Samuelson has been a part of the Meadowmere Fire Department for roughly 50 years and served as commissioner for the 20 years before losing a re-election bid to Kevin Bennett in 2017. Prior to his four terms, Samuelson also served as department chief. 

Schmitt Jr. is a lifelong Meadowmere Park resident who previously served as a commissioner from 2005 to 2010. His father, Schmitt Sr. has lived in the community since he was 8 and has been involved with the fire department for 60 years.

In addition to the community of about 100 homes, the district is responsible for providing fire protection to a portion of the Rockaway Turnpike area, including Costco and Sanitary District 1 headquarters. 

The candidates could not be reached for a comment for the story by press time. Voting will be at the firehouse at 14 Meyer Ave. in Meadowmere Park.

North Lawrence

With incumbent Commissioner Louis Spinelli stepping down, Miguel A. Martinez and Eliezer “Eli” Gefen will be running for the open commissioner’s position. The district serves the residential and commercial areas outside the Cedarhurst and Lawrence villages. Martinez has been a North Lawrence resident for seven years. 

“Since this is the community that I live in, I want to make sure that the constituents get their money’s worth,” Martinez said. “Specifically with emergency services, any action such as minimizing costs and raising taxes affects me also so I want to do what’s best for our community.”

Gefen is a Far Rockaway native who has resided in North Lawrence for five years. “I’ve been involved in various community organizations over the years,” he said. “Growing up in Far Rockaway and I was always taught to help and give back to the community.”

Hewlett 

Involved with the fire department for 15 years, Mark Lorberbaum is running unopposed for his third five-year term as commissioner. Voting will be at the firehouse, at 25 Franklin Ave.

Inwood

Joseph Reda, a commissioner for roughly a year, is running for what would be his first five-year term after filling an unexpired term last year. Reda is a former captain in the department. “I’ve always been very interested in volunteering,” Reda said. “That’s what initially led me to run for this position.”

Voting is at the Inwood firehouse, at 188 Doughty Blvd.

Atlantic Beach

John R. Faulhaber is running unopposed for his sixth five-year commissioner term. He is one of the founding members of the Atlantic Beach Rescue Squad. The unit, established in 1975, provides emergency medical services and conducts water rescues for the barrier island community.

Greater Atlantic Beach Water Reclamation District

Incumbent commissioner Anthony Licatesi is running unopposed for another three-year term. Voting for the Atlantic Beach Fire District and Greater Atlantic Beach Water Reclamation Project will be at the Fire Rescue headquarters at 1 Rescue Road in Atlantic Beach from 6 to 9 p.m.