Incumbents lead in fire district elections

Opponents of the Gordon Heights fire district barely missed a chance to take control of its Board of Fire Commissioners in a dramatic election Tuesday.

Incumbent Avery Dean held his seat by a single vote, 271-270, and survived a challenge from Joyce Bourne.

Bourne and a group of residents who support a dramatic restructuring of the most-taxed fire district on Long Island -- the group at times has said the district should be dissolved -- had managed to get two of their own elected to the five-member board in 2009.

Dean called his win "a victory for the people of Gordon Heights" and added, "We want to remain as a fire district, intact, and not compromise at all."

A Bourne supporter, Gina Previte, said her camp would seek an independent review of the results. "We're not willing to throw away this election," she said.

In the 900-home district, where some homeowners pay more than $1,500 a year for protection, finances for years have been a subject of heated debate.

Brookhaven's town board is weighing a consultant's report that urges the town either take over the district's finances or dissolve the district and search for a new provider. Two insurgent members of the Gordon Heights board, Alex Hanson and Maryanne Owens, want the district to work with the town to implement one of the options.

Gordon Heights was one of more than 120 fire districts across Long Island that held elections Tuesday; more than four dozen featured contested elections for commissioners and propositions, with many voting to retain incumbents.

Here are winners in some other contested elections:

NASSAU

Bellmore: John Curley. A proposition to sell, trade or dispose of a 1996 Heavy Duty Rescue Truck passed.

Bethpage: Incumbent F. Brian Durr.

Elmont: Incumbent Frank Hrbek, Jr.

Hicksville: Scott Skrynecki.

Levittown: Incumbent Joel E. Bearman.

Locust Valley: Challenger Gregory Stimola.

Manhasset-Lakeville: Incumbent Andrew DeMartin.

Massapequa: A proposition amending the district's length of service awards program passed.

Meadowmere Park: Challenger Kevin Benet.

New Hyde Park: Incumbent Richard A. Stein Jr.

North Bellmore: A proposition to sell a heavy rescue vehicle passed.

Syosset: Challenger Richard Roseo.

West Hempstead: Incumbent Ronald Magarie.

SUFFOLK

Bohemia: Glenn Ostermann.

Brentwood: Eric Raudies.

Bridgehampton: Raymond Topping, Jr.

Centereach: Incumbent Frank Rudilosso.

Dix Hills: Robert Commiso.

East Islip: Incumbent Thomas Drywa.

East Moriches: Former commissioner Michael J. Mazarakis.

East Northport: Challenger Wayne Kaifler Sr.

Holbrook: Joseph Williams, current commissioner for Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services.

Holtsville: John Skalocky.

Islip: Michael Leo.

Jamesport: Leroy Anthony.

Kings Park: Thomas Richardson.

Lake Ronkonkoma: Incumbent Ronald Corsale. A proposition to OK a nearly $1 million bond to fund the purchase of pumper firefighting vehicles passed.

Manorville: Challenger Thomas J. Campanaro.

Medford: Charles Jagde, incumbent.

Melville: Incumbent James T. Coschignano Jr.

Miller Place: Incumbent Carol Hawat.

Patchogue: J. Carter Biggs. The proposition to approve funding for three new trucks passed.

St. James: A proposition to amend the district's Length of Services Awards program passed.

Sayville: Robert Chester.

Selden: Incumbent Dennis Carman.

Setauket: Paul DiBiase won the five-year term. Kevin Yoos won the three-year term.

Sound Beach: Incumbent Phil Alaimo.

Smithtown: Robert Regulinski.

Wading River: Former commissioner John McManus.

West Islip: Incumbent Victor Paduano.

Westhampton Beach: Incumbent Donald A. Metcalf.

With Stacey Altherr

and Emily C. Dooley