The South Farmingdale Water District's annual election is Tuesday, Dec. 11. Voting will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. at two different locations: North Massapequa Firehouse Headquarters, located at Broadway and Albany Avenue in North Massapequa or South Farmingdale Firehouse, located at 819 South Main St. in South Farmingdale. Fire commissioner terms are three years.

The incumbent Kurt Ludwig is being challenged by Craig Heller. The candidates' profiles are listed below in alphabetical order.

Craig Heller, a North Massapequa resident, is a partner at Heller & Verdi law firm in East Meadow.

Heller stated, "It has come to my attention that a newsletter has just been sent out by the South Farmingdale Water District with my opponent on the front cover with what can only be considered a campaign ad. The newsletter congratulates him on his service to date, and wishes him many more years on the commission.

"This is exactly the kind of waste and abuse that caused me to run this race in the first place. This special district believes that they can spend our taxpayer dollars however they please to satisfy their own interests. My opponent has allowed the taxpayer to pay for a campaign ad on his behalf. What makes this act even more blatant is that the water district normally issues two newsletters in a calendar year. This year they sent one out in spring 2007 and in October 2007 they sent out a fall edition. This newsletter is an extra edition, clearly done to attempt to re-elect my opponent.

"This act on the part of the commission should be cause for the removal of all of the present commissioners and the superintendent and anyone else involved in the issuance of this newsletter. Further, this is an excellent reason why this Water District should be audited. If they are doing this in such a blatant manner, what else have they done without anybody knowing? I call on Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman to audit this water district and perhaps the New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli should conduct a review as well.

"Finally, this is more reason to elect myself to the commission, so that an independent voice can ensure that your tax dollars are being protected," Heller concluded.

North Massapequa resident Kurt Ludwig works in the Town of Oyster Bay Public Information Office. He is a volunteer for the North Massapequa Fire Department, serving as a company lead engineer and department public information officer. He also sits on the department's training committee and is an elected member of its Board of Directors. He has served as a commissioner for the South Farmingdale Water District since 2006.

Ludwig stated, "I am running for re-election as water commissioner because I believe in public service and giving back to my community. My family has been proud to call this area home for many years and I have a vested interest in protecting and preserving our water supply for the future.

"My goals as commissioner have centered on maintaining our infrastructure and protecting our precious water supply from any contamination threats. In this post 9/11-era, I am particularly vigilant about safeguarding our water and have undertaken many measures to ensure the public's safety.

"I am a staunch advocate of local control of special districts and believe that the South Farmingdale Water District has a proven track record of quality, service, integrity and low water rates. Responsible oversight is the reason for our customers' low water bills and I intend to keep it that way. My philosophy can be read on the side of our vehicles: 'Value, integrity and service...your neighborhood water supplier does it best.'"