They signed the petition, now they're on the board
Proponents of an effort to dissolve the Gordon Heights Fire District elected fire commissioners
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Proponents of the bid to dissolve the Gordon Heights Fire District, Maryanne Owens and Alex Hanson, have announced their candidacy for two seats on the five-member Board of Fire Commissioners.
Alex Hanson and Maryanne Owens secured 60 percent of the total vote in the fire district, which has been under scrutiny for having the highest fire taxes in the state. Mr. Hanson defeated incumbent commissioners Philip Gordon and Frank Swinton by garnering more than 200 votes for a five-year seat on the board.
Mr. Hanson, 48, is the husband of Rosalie Hanson, the organizer of the petition drive. He said he was shocked to learn he had won the election, but he believes residents spoke their mind by casting votes in his favor. Mr. Hanson said he is looking forward to balancing fire safety with the needs of residents.
"We have to create a balance between the two," Mr. Hanson said. "All those residents I spoke to in the community were concerned with equitable taxes, and hopefully we can come together and work toward that goal."
But the election places Mr. Hanson and Ms. Owens in the minority, which might make it difficult for them to achieve their goal.
"We are not in the majority but we have a voice and we will be able to put our opinion out there, which is something that we could not do before," Mr. Hanson said.
Ms. Owens, who made the decision to run again this past summer, said she was shocked when the results came in.
"It goes to show it wasn't a three-vote race," Ms. Owens said. "It was over 100 votes. Maybe that speaks for itself."
The newly elected will begin their terms Jan. 1.
James Kelly, chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners, said the board will work together for the good of district residents.
"We will work to make sure that the people of our community will have the best rescue and fire protection they can have," Mr. Kelly said.
Incumbents ruled in other fire district races this week.
In Wading River, incumbent James Meier was re-elected to a new five-year term, defeating challengers Michael Harrigan and Robert Quaranta. Newcomer Edward Frost defeated Matthew Colitti for a two-year term on Wading River's board.
In Ridge, incumbent Pasquale Pirozzi was re-elected to another 5-year term, defeating challengers Robert Leonhardt and Louis Brandt.
In Rocky Point, Stephen Tumulty defeated Thomas Logan for a five-year term. In Mount Sinai, Peter Vanmidlen defeated Anthony Tricarico and Stephen Applebaum for a five-year term.
peggy@northshoresun.com
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