The recent eight-part Newsday series entitled "Firealarm," brought to light information few people knew about the volunteer fire service on Long Island. The Hicksville Fire District was mentioned in six of the eight installments. The most notable information is that Hicksville has the highest fire budget on all of Long Island.

Like most people, my family and I are very appreciative of the work and sacrifices of the volunteers-who make up the fire department. But it is the fire district that manages our tax dollars which is really what Tuesday's election is all about. It doesn't take $6.1 million to run a great fire district -it takes great fire commissioners. This coming Tuesday you, the Hicksville taxpayer, have the opportunity to elect a great fire commissioner - Bob Manson.

There is no more qualified person to take on the challenges of fire commissioner than Bob Manson, a 44-year member of our community and retired four-star FDNY Chief. Bob is an extraordinary individual with outstanding credentials and a proven track record in both the field and administrative positions he has held. As chief of fire prevention for all of New York City, Manson managed a $28 million budget. As chief of maintenance he oversaw the entire FDNY fleet, 220 buildings and all of the mechanics and tradesmen. Our Fire District needs an excellent and experienced administrator. Bob Manson is the person we need now to bring our taxes back in line and foster better relations among the district, the volunteers and Hicksville residents. Fire commissioners serve five-year terms. The incumbent has been in for 20 years.

The election of a fire commissioner is extremely important-yet few people know about and realize that they can and should vote in this election. Don't let that be you and your family. Take a few minutes on Tuesday, Dec. 13, go to the main firehouse on East Marie Street between 4 and 9 p.m. and vote for Bob Manson. Every registered voter in your household should come out and cast their vote.

Bob Manson wants to know your views and concerns. You can email him at askbobmanson@yahoo.com and you can learn more about Bob Manson just by visiting his website at www.mansonforfirecommissioner.com.

Kathi Secko

When I think of my husband, Bob Manson, I think of a hardworking man of integrity and morality. We have been married for 46 years, Hicksville residents for 44 of those years. We raised five children in Hicksville. Our three sons became police officers, our oldest daughter, Susan, is a physician and our youngest daughter, Elizabeth, works in private industry. All of our children attended and graduated from St. Ignatius Parochial School and Holy Trinity High School.

I have always been a homemaker, so raising and educating the children was not easy on a firefighter's salary. Bob always had part-time jobs, went to college at night, while studying and working in the busiest fire companies in the city fire department. Bob was promoted seven times in the FDNY. These promotions were made by merit and hard work, not popularity.

The people of Hicksville will be very fortunate to have Bob as a Hicksville Fire Commissioner. His love of Hicksville and the fire service will serve each other well.

Beth Manson

Each week I have been reading the editorials of Dwyer vs. Manson and all that is said about these two candidates. All I ask is that you compare each candidate's qualifications. One aspect of discussion has been term limits. I hope in the future that term limits would be offered for the position of fire commissioner.

Limits would eliminate some of the problems not only in Hicksville's district, but also in other districts. A person tends to become complacent when in office for an extended period of time and tends to take things for granted. I am sure that Bob Manson will do the right thing for the Hicksville Fire Department and the Hicksville Fire District. I know that if Bob Manson should lose, life would still go on, however, all I ask is that you give Bob Manson a chance to make an impact on your life in this community. He did not create the $6.1 million budget and I really don't know if he has the wonder pill to solve the problem overnight, but I do know he has the background and the ambition to make a difference.

Sometimes we get tired of waiting for a change. I, for one, am tired. Hopefully, we can all work together as one and accomplish a change for the better. I support Bob Manson. He is a fine and honorable man trying to make a difference in our community.

Tom Manaskie

Recently, I read in the Letters to the Editor that a retired FDNY firefighter said, "his experience as a New York City firefighter was of no help to him as a Hicksville Fire Commissioner." He was right. Being a New York City firefighter does not give you the administrative experience needed to be a fire commissioner. As far as administrative experience is concerned there is a big difference between a four-star chief and a firefighter.

I'm asking you to vote for Bob Manson, a retired four-star chief of the FDNY for Hicksville Fire Commissioner. As a four-star chief, Manson's administrative duties for the largest fire department in the country included the following:

1. Administering to the maintenance of 1,000 fire department vehicles;

2. Responsibility for maintaining 220 buildings;

3. Responsibility for the performance of 150 mechanics;

4. Responsibility for all New York City fire prevention fire codes and laws;

5. Managing a $28 million fire prevention budget; and

6. Overseeing 800 fire prevention employees.

New York City paid big dollars for Bob Manson's administration. Hicksville will have Bob Manson's expertise at no cost to taxpayers.

Bill Foley

47-year member, Hicksville Fire Department

Ex-Commissioner, Hicksville Fire District

I urge all residents of Hicksville to vote for Bob Manson for Hicksville Fire Commissioner on Tuesday, Dec. 13. I've worked with Bob for many years and know him for more than 20 years. He is dependable, knowledgeable and honorable. He will make an excellent fire commissioner.

Joseph H. Meegan

Retired, FDNY