As former chiefs of the Hicksville Fire Department, we urge your support of Bob Dwyer in the Jan. 25 election for fire commissioner. Remember, your vote counts.

Throughout his tenure, Bob has been a strong advocate of firefighter health safety and the volunteers and residents of Hicksville have benefited tremendously from his leadership and foresight. Commissioners Wigdzinski, McKee, Single and others who have worked with Bob have helped secure the best available fire fighting equipment and training available for the protection of our volunteers and those we serve.

Fire prevention and education for Hicksville's youth has taken a major step forward under the leadership of Mr. Dwyer, who was instrumental in purchasing a safety trailer for visiting schools in the district to instruct youngsters about the dangers of fire and how to escape a fire situation.

As a fire commissioner and active volunteer member, Bob Dwyer's commitment to Emergency Medical Service is unmatched. He has seen firsthand the increased burden placed on the district's EMS as the community continues to grow and the population ages. While Nassau is supposed to be the sole provider for emergency response, the county has not added an ambulance to our precinct in more than 25 years. On the contrary, two fully-equipped ambulances have been added in Hicksville since Bob Dwyer became commissioner. The Hicksville Fire Department now has an ambulance in each of its four firehouses. Additionally, two EMS fly cars, with an EMT or paramedic on board, have been added to initiate a faster response time. These cars, as well as the chiefs' cars and all other first-responding vehicles are now equipped with AED's, lifesaving defibrillators that have proven to be priceless.

Under Commissioner Dwyer, three new state-of-the-art Class A pumpers have been placed into service, with another two planned, and the retired engines sold for nearly half their purchase prices. Because the equipment was standardized, it can now be used by all engine company members and driven by any qualified chauffeur, resulting in faster response times.

Taxpayers have also benefited from Commissioner Dwyer's service to the community where we pay among the lowest fire taxes in Nassau-- less than 65 cents a day. For that price, residents are protected by EMS and a fire department that was given the highest rating on Long Island and in New York State by the Insurance Services Office. This is achieved by having the best equipment, fire apparatus, training, response times, dispatchers on duty 24/7 and a host of other excellent standards.

Commissioner Dwyer is also credited with preventing the Briggs Street Neighborhood Committee from stopping the renovation of Station Two and moving the fire and EMS coverage provided by that firehouse to the southeast section of Hicksville. This would no doubt result in slower response times by this firehouse, jeopardizing the safety of residents and volunteers. Dwyer's opponent embraced this group for their campaign money, smear tactics against past fire commissioners and total disregard for the safety and well being of the residents and members of the Hicksville Fire Department.

We are asking that you please take a few minutes and come out on Wednesday, Jan. 25 to support Bob Dwyer for re-election as fire commissioner. Voting will take place at Fire Department Headquarters on East Marie Street from 4 to 9 p.m.

Ex-Chief William Schuckman, Hicksville Fire Department (1986-1987)

Ex-Commissioner, Hicksville Fire District

Ex-Chief Gerald O'Brien, Hicksville Fire Department (1988)

Ex-Chief Anthony Wigdzinski, Hicksville Fire Department (1990-1991)

Commissioner, Hicksville Fire District

Ex-Chief Patrick Scanlon. Hicksville Fire Department (1992-1993)

Ex-Chief Albert Merk, Hicksville Fire Department (1994-1995)

Ex-Chief William Thunell, Hicksville Fire Department (2000-2001)

For the safety of the community and the volunteer firefighters, the firehouse on Briggs Street must be upgraded to a facility that meets the present day requirements and not destroyed or moved to another location as some surrounding neighbors adamantly lobbied to do. This firehouse was located at this corner long before many of the people who are against it resided here. It has provided this community, especially the eastern section of Hicksville, with excellent fire and rescue service for nearly 50 years. It seems that some residents have become very selfish in not considering the needs of their neighbors. Maybe they feel the location of this firehouse is not as important as it once was.

We, the Hicksville Residents to Save Your Firehouse Committee, believe that it's important for all of Hicksville to receive the same benefits of good response times and services since we are all taxpayers. The way to do that is to keep what has always been there and improve it. Without adequate improvement all of Hicksville suffers the consequences. Why is this? Consider having to wait precious minutes for a fire truck or ambulance to arrive. Keyword "minutes" could mean life, death or loss of property to you, a relative or your neighbor if this firehouse (Station 2) did not exist. This substation is one of the most active companies in the district and is also highly regarded for their good response time and service. Money well spent for our protection!

This project will move forward by casting your ballot for Bob Dwyer. For the last 33 years as an active firefighter - 15 years as commissioner, Bob has improved this department with his knowledge and experience. He is community involved and respected with a true social conscience. Born and raised in Hicksville, he devotes his time and efforts for the safety and well-being of this community.

Please come out and vote for Bob Dwyer with your family, friends and neighbors on Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Hicksville fire headquarters on East Marie Street opposite Peppercorns.

John and Debbie Mohrman

Mary Kretz

Farl Gippi

Hicksville Residents to Save Your Firehouse Committee

I am writing this letter because we are all faced with a very important issue. We have an election for fire commissioner coming up on Jan. 25 and as a 37-year member and ex-captain of Company 6 with the Hicksville Fire Department I know how important it is to have the right person on the board who will dedicate himself to all of our residents. That man is Bob Dwyer.

Most of you know me from my 28 years as your water commissioner. You have entrusted me with all the important issues concerning the quality of our water supply. You all came out for me on numerous occasions and gave me your vote of confidence. Over the years that I was your water commissioner I worked very close with the commissioners of the Hicksville Fire District and through that relationship, we have accomplished many goals. Bob Dwyer has worked for 15 years as your fire commissioner and I was proud to work with him. We have worked on major hydrant projects that improve and assist our fire service.

We in Hicksville enjoy the lowest insurance rate largely because of the work the board of fire commissioners does on our behalf. Our tax rate is below the average paid in Nassau and yet we have the finest equipment, one of the best response times, and an outstanding EMS response.

I ask all who gave me their support for the many years that I served this community to now support and vote for Bob Dwyer. I am retired now and I know how important it is to have someone like Bob watching out for me. I feel comfortable and so should you.

Gil Cusick

Retired, Hicksville Water Commissioner

Ex-Captain, Hicksville Fire Department Company #6

On Dec. 12, 2005, the day before the fire commissioner elections, Newsday was kind enough to quote Terry Teitjen, who happens to be the driving force behind the campaign to elect Bob Manson. Mrs. Teitjen is quoted as saying, "Some people don't understand the difference between fire departments and fire districts. Some people see it as being unappreciative when you criticize the commissioners. They think you're talking about the volunteers."

She was quite right. There is a difference between the fire department and the fire commissioners. When at a scene for a fire or rescue call, the fire chiefs are in charge and make all the decisions, as well as being in charge of all the men and women in the department. The fire commissioners are the ones who are in charge of making sure that those fire chiefs and all the firefighters have the equipment and the training to protect their safety and the safety of the community.

The article went on to say that candidates for the commissioner positions invariably stress their civic-mindedness - that beyond being firefighters, they may coach youth sports and take an active role in community life. Now, that is what people like Mrs. Tietjen do not now, and probably will never, understand; it's called volunteerism and caring about your community, and that is a vital part of being a fire commissioner.

It seems to me that it is very simple and comes down to this. If you are satisfied with the services you are receiving from your Hicksville Fire Department, then you should cast your ballot for Bob Dwyer because he has had a lot to do with making your Hicksville Fire Department one of the best fire departments in the State of New York, simply because he cares.

John Taaffe

In the election for fire commissioner in 2004, the issue was clear-cut. It boiled down to the proposed renovations for Station 2: those who supported rebuilding it at its present location and those who wanted it moved. And, while I haven't seen that issue highlighted in this present election campaign between Fire Commissioner Robert Dwyer and [challenger] Bob Manson, I believe the issue is still the same.

I say this for two reasons. First, because Mr. Manson is supported, and his campaign probably financed, by the very people who want Station 2 moved. Second, when interviewed by the committee that was formed to save Station 2, he claimed not to know enough about the issue to form a judgment. A political answer if I ever heard one. Unless he was out of town last fall, or doesn't read the paper and is totally out of touch with what's going on here in Hicksville, I would find that hard to swallow.

Many residents are probably of the opinion that the Station 2 renovations are a done deal. Not so. The Town of Oyster Bay has not issued any building permits or even held hearings on the matter. And until the shovel is in the ground, so to speak, the go ahead can be reversed by a simple vote of the Hicksville Board of Fire Commissioners.

That brings me to the importance of this election. If the committee that wants to move Station 2 can gain control of the fire commissioners' board before construction begins, they can stop it. They have one vote now. If Mr. Manson wins, I believe they will have two. If they can then stall off any decision by the town board until the next election for fire commissioner, in December, and manage to have a third supporter elected, well, you see my point.

As to qualifications for office, which is the publicized issue, I see no advantage for Mr. Manson just because of his high rank in the NYFD. This is not NYC and I don't think their way of doing things would necessarily work or be desirable here in Hicksville.

Not only has Bob Dwyer done an admirable job as a fire commissioner for the past 15 years, but Hicksville was one of only four fire districts to have their budgets go down for the coming year. I say if it's not broken, don't fix it.

William Michell

Retired, Hempstead Village Police Officer