Heat in some fire district races

In Gordon Heights, opponents of the most-taxed fire district on Long Island have a chance to take control of its Board of Fire Commissioners.

A group of residents who support a dramatic restructuring of the district managed to get two of their own -- Alex Hanson and Maryanna Owens -- selected to the five-member board in 2009. This year, Commissioner Avery Dean defends his seat against Joyce Bourne, who supports the reorganization.

The race is among the most hotly contested of those taking place Tuesday, when voters in more than 120 fire districts across Long Island go to the polls to elect commissioners who collectively control more than $320 million in annual spending.

Finances in the 900-home Gordon Heights district, where some homeowners pay more than $1,500 a year for protection, have been debated intensely in the community for years. Brookhaven's town board is considering a consultant's report that recommends the town either seize the district's finances or dissolve it and search for a new provider.

Dean said the district has worked to cut taxes -- next year's budget cuts spending by more than 11 percent -- and maintain service. "My main thing is to maintain safety in the community," he said.

Bourne said of her allies, "We have been fighting, and I'm going to continue to fight for the community. We can't afford this. We shouldn't be taxed out of our homes for a fire district."

In New Hyde Park, mud has been flying between two of the three candidates.

The incumbent, Richard A. Stein Jr., 57, is a longtime New Hyde Park firefighter seeking a second term. He is a retired deputy chief inspector for the New York City Fire Department.

Challenger Anthony Vaglica, 44, a construction company owner and former firefighter, accused Stein of violating state law by belonging to a second fire department.

Stein, who also is chief of the Fire Island Pines department, said he receives benefits only from New Hyde Park.

Commissioner John DiVello, a Stein supporter, said Vaglica is misleading voters by not explaining why he left the department in 2008. According to court documents, Vaglica was dismissed on charges of "conduct unbecoming a member" stemming from a dispute with another firefighter.

Vaglica said he didn't deserve to be discharged: "They got rid of me after 24 years."

Challenger James Devane, 50, a retired New York City firefighter, said his motivation stems from a February incident in which his firefighter son Max, 19, was trapped in a basement fire and suffered burns to his face, singed lungs and smoke inhalation.

James Devane says he wants to improve training to prevent future tragedies. "There's no accountability," he said. "They had no training. I don't want this to happen to anyone else."

The Manhasset-Lakeville water and fire district features an unusual four-way race.

Incumbent commissioner chairman and Town of North Hempstead Public Safety Commissioner Andrew DeMartin is facing Daniel Ross, a first lieutenant in the department, John Nash, a firefighter in the department, and Joseph Renta, who works for the Garden City Park Water District.

Another four-way race in Hicksville has Michael Azzue, G. "Ray" Nami, Scott Skyrnecki and Harry J. Single Jr. competing for one open spot.

And in Holbrook, Joseph F. Williams, commissioner for Suffolk County's Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services, is running against ex-captain of the department, Michael Tarantino.